All posts tagged: walking

Walking football: This sport boosts heart health and helps people lose weight – and ‘anyone’ can do it

Walking football: This sport boosts heart health and helps people lose weight – and ‘anyone’ can do it

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Inspired by the recent Premier League excitement or the tension of FIFA World Cup qualifiers, many might feel the urge to get back on the pitch. While a call-up to the England squad might be a distant dream, a more accessible and equally rewarding option exists: walking football. This increasingly popular sport offers all the thrill of the beautiful game, but without the intensity or pressure. Between 2021 and 2023, Age UK partnered with Sport England and the Football Association to establish the Age UK Walking Football Programme. This initiative has led to a proliferation of local walking football games, clubs, and sessions now running across the UK every week, making it easier than ever to join. Anyone can get involved, irrespective of their ability or experience. (Alamy/PA) “It’s a slower, more gentle version of the game that everyone loves because …

I asked an expert trainer how to make the most of a 20-minute walk and he shared this walking workout

I asked an expert trainer how to make the most of a 20-minute walk and he shared this walking workout

Published by Jenni Sidey

When I only have 20 minutes to myself, it can be difficult to choose what to do with the time. Should I commit to doing some cardio exercise, or simply enjoy a stroll in the park? Strength and conditioning specialist Logan Herlihy of Reformed Fitness says you don’t have to choose. Article continues below You may like “Simple walking at a moderate pace is a great way to start, but once you’ve been doing that for a while, it can be beneficial to add more difficulty to your walking workout, without investing significantly more time,” he says. Herlihy draws inspiration from the world-renowned high-intensity interval training (HIIT) researcher Martin Gibala, who says you only need one minute of hard effort to work out effectively. For Gibala’s method, participants would spend approximately 10 minutes on a stationary bike and complete one minute of high-intensity work, using the rest of the time to recover. “Walking is inherently a lower intensity exercise, so I’ve modified the intervals and the rest periods accordingly,” says Herlihy. Start your week with …

I test walking shoes for a living and I haven’t found a pair of Hokas I wouldn’t wear again—here are my picks from the Hoka sale section

I test walking shoes for a living and I haven’t found a pair of Hokas I wouldn’t wear again—here are my picks from the Hoka sale section

Published by Jenni Sidey

Hoka is a firm favorite with runners, walkers and gym-goers alike. I’m an unabashed fan. Every time a new shoe is announced, I’m counting down the days on my calendar. I’ve tested several pairs of Hoka shoes for my guide to the best walking shoes and haven’t yet tried a pair I wouldn’t want to wear again. What’s more, Hoka makes some great outdoor apparel, taking care of the question of what to wear with your nice new sneakers. I’ve been through the sale section of the website with a fine-toothed comb and curated the best deals below for you. I’ve chosen deals with the biggest discounts and the largest variety of sizes still in stock. Many of the shoes are discontinued, so once they’re gone, they won’t be restocked. All Gender Footwear Men’s Footwear Women’s Footwear Men’s Apparel Women’s Apparel All Gender Apparel Source link

I Tried The Viral Japanese Walking Method ‘Better Than 10,000 Steps A Day’

I Tried The Viral Japanese Walking Method ‘Better Than 10,000 Steps A Day’

Published by Sam Flores

Even though I love running and regularly go to the gym, facts are facts; I work from home and don’t love a long evening ramble. As a result, I regularly fail to get 10,000 steps a day, even though that’s been my goal for years. All my “Jeffing,” VO2 max training, and treadmill interval sessions were not enough. I average around 6,500 steps daily, and my ongoing attempts to hit the 10k target have proven unsuccessful and inconvenient. I tried walking after work (a non-starter), taking a lunch-break stroll (sometimes useful, but mostly impossible due to the Endless Kitchen Tasks working from home seems to highlight). So, you can imagine how happy I was to read about “Japanese walking,” the strolling style said to be as good for us as 10,000 steps, while taking a fraction of the time. Ironically, despite spending less time walking, my average steps are up to 8,100 a day. What is “Japanese walking”? Japanese walking, also known ‘the 3-3 walking workout’, is essentially the interval training of the walking world. …

I’ve tested more than 50 pairs of walking shoes and the very best for waterproofing is now up to 50% off

I’ve tested more than 50 pairs of walking shoes and the very best for waterproofing is now up to 50% off

Published by Jenni Sidey

Truly waterproof shoes are few and far between. There are plenty of water-resistant shoes in my guide to the best walking shoes, but these won’t withstand any serious rain. I got to test out the Columbia Peakfreak Rush Outdry walking shoe recently and—spoiler alert—it’s going to take the title of the best waterproof shoe from the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker Low. Columbia is already an affordable outdoor brand, but I often see discounts on its new releases. Still, my jaw dropped when I found the Peakfreak Rush for 50% off on Amazon, the cheapest I’ve ever seen it. I really ran the gauntlet with these shoes, wearing them while sluicing out flowerpots with a hosepipe. Despite significant splashing, my socks were still bone dry once I had finished. As a walking shoe, it is fantastic too. The outsole grips well on slippery surfaces and the shoe feels stable on uneven terrain. It also has toe and heel protection, so if you need to navigate some rocky trail, you’re safe from stubbed toes. It is also …

I swapped walking for swimming and it’s helped me fall in love with cardio and build full-body strength

I swapped walking for swimming and it’s helped me fall in love with cardio and build full-body strength

Published by Jenni Sidey

Apart from cooling off in the sea on holiday or lounging at my local lido in summer, swimming never really interested me. However, I recently spent two weeks on the south coast of Sri Lanka, where I stayed in a villa with a pool. With temperatures regularly reaching over 100℉, it felt wrong not to be in said pool as much as possible—especially as the heat also made walking, which I usually like to do, more difficult. Instead of walking, I decided to start swimming lengths of the 25-meter pool. I started with 20 lengths and found that I enjoyed it, so I challenged myself to do 30, then 40. By the end of the trip, I was doing up to 60 lengths per day. Article continues below You may like I’ve found swimming to be meditative and relaxing, and it’s quickly become my favorite way to do cardio, as I don’t enjoy running and get bored of cycling. Below, I’ve shared some of the reasons I’ve come to love swimming, along with some of …

Forget 10,000 steps: A rheumatologist reveals the true walking target if you’re over 60

Forget 10,000 steps: A rheumatologist reveals the true walking target if you’re over 60

Published by Daniella Wilson

Simple, accessible and suitable for all ages, walking as a form of exercise is almost always a great option, whether for heart health or weight loss.  While the 10,000-step goal is the iconic target that has been a health mainstay for years, experts confirm the ‘magic number’ for joint health if you’re past the age of 60 is actually a lower amount: 8,000 steps.   Science of course has shown that people who walk regularly generally achieve better physical and mental health outcomes compared to those who lead a sedentary life, and a daily stroll has also proven to be a powerful ally for people battling rheumatic conditions.  As Dr Raquel Almodóvar, a specialist in rheumatology, explains: “A small change like walking can significantly improve the health of those living with rheumatic diseases. Not only does it help improve pain, fatigue and stiffness, it also aids in relieving joint burden, strengthening muscles and boosting your mood.” Managing conditions through walking: Lupus to arthritis Systemic autoimmune rheumatic conditions (known as SARDs) – which cover everything from …

A walking coach says these three moves will help you build lower-body strength and avoid hiker’s knee

A walking coach says these three moves will help you build lower-body strength and avoid hiker’s knee

Published by Jenni Sidey

Planning to do lots of hiking this summer, but worried that your body might not be able to keep up? Building strength in your lower body is essential if you’re someone who enjoys a lot of hill or trail walking but are prone to something known as hiker’s knee. “It’s a term commonly used for knee pain caused by repetitive stress during steep descents, excessive hiking, or weak supporting muscles,” explains walking coach Ludgina Dieujuste. “The pain is often localised at the front of the knee or around the kneecap, and can cause aching, swelling, or a grinding sensation.” Article continues below You may like Hiker’s knee might surface after a long walk, or even while you’re still on the hike and walking downhill—this is because the “motion puts extra strain on the joints and muscles,” says Diejuste, who explains that one of the best ways to prevent this type of pain is by strengthening the muscles around your knee. “When these muscles are stronger, they help the kneecap track properly, absorb impact when walking …

Forget 10,000 steps a day – experts reveal the truth about walking

Forget 10,000 steps a day – experts reveal the truth about walking

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore The ubiquitous 10,000-step daily target, often pre-set on smartwatches and fitness trackers, has become a widely accepted benchmark for physical activity. While these digital prompts can encourage movement, falling short of the ambitious goal can often leave individuals feeling discouraged. As National Walking Month approaches, experts are questioning the scientific validity of this popular target, suggesting it may be more rooted in marketing than robust health research, and potentially serving as a deterrent for many. Professor (Dr) Dane Vishnubala, chief medical adviser at Active IQ, reveals the surprising origins of the target, which he describes as lacking a scientific foundation. “My understanding of the 10,000 step goal is that it comes from Japanese marketing back in the Sixties, originally driven around pedometer sales. Therefore, this 10,000 step benchmark has no scientific base or value,” he explains. He further clarifies that “there’s …

I walk 100km a month testing walking shoes and my favorite budget-friendly shoe is now under

I walk 100km a month testing walking shoes and my favorite budget-friendly shoe is now under $60

Published by Jenni Sidey

Outdoor brand Columbia has been growing in my estimation with every product I’ve tried. Despite being quite reasonably priced, everything I try is high-quality and built to last. The first thing I ever tested was the Columbia Konos TRS shoe, which features in my guide to the best walking shoes as my best pick for those on a budget. The price is already a reasonable $100, but you can now get yourself a pair for under $60 at Amazon. It should be obvious to anyone looking at my walking shoe guide that I am fussy about footwear. I demand comfort, cushioning and durability from my walking shoes and if they don’t meet my standards, I won’t recommend them. The Columbia Konos exceeded my expectations in every way. For the price, I expected cheap materials, thin soles and no bounce underfoot whatsoever. Instead, I found it to be comfortable, well-cushioned and to have surprisingly high energy return for what is technically a trail shoe. I wear my Konos everywhere. It is comfortable enough for city stomps …