No doubt you’ve heard about the amazingbenefits of walking every day.
If that piques your interest, we have some good news.
Incorporatingab-strengthening tacticsinto your walking routine offers many benefits.
Photo: Shutterstock. Design: Eat This, Not That!
Astrong core can improve posture, reduce lower back pain, andboost balance and coordination.
These benefits are essential for maintaining health and vitality while elevating your ability to perform common daily activities.
This is particularly helpful if you’re looking to shed extra pounds or slim down your waistline.
Shutterstock
Engage your core.
Engaging your core during your walk can help strengthen your abs and improve stability.
Masi says, “This could be as simple as tightening your ab muscles as you walk.
Shutterstock
Imagine pulling your belly button toward your spine to maintain a strong, supportive core.
However, be sure not to over-engage your core, either.
You should feel the muscles working, but not to the point where it impedes your movement.”
Shutterstock
Walking for Weight Loss?
Avoid These 10 Common Mistakes
Incorporate incline walking.
“The most practical way to do this is on a treadmill where you could control all the parameters.
Shutterstock
Just verify not to hold on with your hands!”
Include power walking.
Power walking involves walking at a brisk pace with exaggerated arm movements.
Shutterstock
10 Ways To Maximize Your Walking Workout for Faster Weight Loss
Perform walking lunges.
The stabilization required during lunges can increase core muscle activity.
To perform them, Masi instructs, “Step forward into a lunge position.
Shutterstock
Take squat breaks.
“Take small breaks from walking to perform a handful of squats.
Here’s How Long you should probably Walk Every Day for Weight Loss
Walk backward.
Shutterstock
“This approach will break up the monotony of your conventional gait and challenge the entire core differently.”
Wear a weighted vest.
A weighted vest increases the intensity of your walk, making your core work harder to stabilize your body.
Shutterstock
Masi tells us, “Wearing a weighted vest is a good way to increase the exercise intensity.
Rucking with a loaded backpack is another way to get a similar stimulus.
The 30-Day Interval Walking Workout for Weight Loss
Do side shuffles.
Shutterstock
This lateral movement adds variety to your walking workout and helps boost core strength and stability.
Masi explains, “Moving laterally challenges your oblique muscles and core stability.
you could do standard side steps if you could’t shuffle due to skill or injury limitations.”
Add in ankle hops.
Ankle hops are small, controlled jumps that you might integrate into your walk for increased core strength.
“This exercise engages the core to prepare for the plyometric stimulus,” says Masi.
At first, your feet don’t have to leave the floor.
Perform 30 to 60 hops and continue walking for one to three minutes before repeating.
“March in place or while moving forward, lifting your knees high,” instructs Masi.
“This action engages your lower abs and hip flexors and improves core strength.
Incorporate interval training.
Interval traininginvolves alternating between high-intensity and moderate-intensity walking.
This variation boosts cardiovascular fitness and keeps your core engaged throughout the workout.
“Interval training is a great way to get more accomplished in a shorter period.
