Why I Love Power Walking (And Think You Should Too!)

Have you ever seen someone walking down the street with their arms pumping vigorously back and forth and thought, “They look silly”? I have, too. But I have a confession to make. Power walking has recently become one of my favorite exercises of all time. I love it so much that I no longer care what people may think of me when they drive by while I’m walking as if my life depends on it.

If you’ve never tried power walking before, you’re missing out on something pretty amazing. Power walking offers so many benefits that regular walking can’t hold a candle to. Here’s why I love it and why I think you should give it a try to see if you end up loving it too!

How to Power Walk

Before we dive into the awesome benefits of power walking, let’s talk about how to power walk. Here’s your guide to power walking like a pro.

Step 1: Maintain good posture. Keep your shoulders back, your eyes forward and your head upright. Engage your core muscles by pulling your belly button inward. Reassess your posture periodically to make sure you’re not slumping forward.

Begin Walking

While maintaining good posture, begin walking swiftly forward. Put intention into each step as you place your heel down first and roll forward past your toes. Focus on maintaining a forward-to-backward hip movement instead of a side-to-side hip movement.

Swing Your Arms

This is where the fun part comes in. Bend your arms at about a 90-degree angle, then swing them moderately back and forth with the opposite leg. It’s such a simple motion, but you’ll be amazed at how much more power you can put into your walk when you use your arms to propel yourself forward. Swinging your arm will also help you walk faster. If you don’t believe me, just try it and see for yourself!

Benefits of Power Walking

Now that you know how to properly power walk, let’s talk about why I love this form of exercise so much. Power walking yields the following benefits:

• Reduces risk of blood pressure

• Lowers your risk of several types of cancer

• Reduces the risk of hip fracture in perimenopausal women

• Boosts feelings of self-esteem while combatting depression and anxiety

• Improves bone health

Let’s not forget that power walking is an excellent way to lose weight (particularly in the midsection). So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start power walking for the sake of your mental and physical health. You may be surprised to discover how much you enjoy it!