How to Maximize a Walking Workout

Walking is a great workout that most people can do. Maybe you want to challenge yourself and make walking more difficult? Maybe you don't want it to be more difficult but you want to get more out of your workout each time you hit the pavement. You can always get more out of you workout and since walking incorporates all the muscles, this is exercise the perfect challenge.

Things You'll Need

  • ankle weights
  • wrist weights
  • good tennis shoes
  • treadmill
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Instructions

    • 1

      Start off your day with your normal walk. But instead of walking like normal try power walking. Swing your arms in an exaggerated manner as you briskly move your legs. What separates power walking from jogging is that with power walking one foot is always on the ground. Power walk daily.

    • 2

      Do a climbing or rolling hills walking exercise on the treadmill. This will provide a difficult workout that changes in pace, strength and skill. It is meant to mimic climbing a mountain or hill. This type of walking workout will not only work your calves but your thighs and even hips. Make sure that you wear sturdy tennis shoes and keep your feet flat on the treadmill at all times.

    • 3

      Wrap ankle weights around your ankles and wear all day long to maximize your daily walking. Then if you would like, wrap wrists weights around your wrists for your walking workouts. This will increase the difficulty level and force you to work harder with every step. At first it may make your wrists and ankles sore but that is just the adjustment period and then things will become easier. When walking around try having your feet go through the toe ball heel method. As your foot comes down have your toe meet the ground first then let your foot slowly glide down to the ball and lastly the heel. This relieves pressure on your knees and ankles.

    • 4

      Set goals and try to increase your time or distance walked each day or week. Use yoga breathing techniques of slow, deep breaths while walking to help your body cope with the stress of exercise. Push yourself but not too hard because you'll become over-exhausted and may injure yourself in the process.