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23 Apr 2007 06:46 AM

Walking vs. Running

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

Let's have a little fun this morning with the difference between walkers and runners. In all honesty, there one is not better than the other, but if you ask a runner - they will say running is bracing, physically challenging and it helps them to focus their minds and their bodies on the target goal whatever the target is. Walkers on the other hand have no real interest in running, but they find walking whether it's fitness walking, power walking or more to be the ideal workout.

So What's Better?

I can say it till I'm blue in the face, but the truth is - what's better is a personal preference. Walking, running, cycling, swimming and more are all aerobic exercise. The goal of aerobic exercise is to elevate your heart rate and to increase your rate of breathing. The exercise works your heart and your lungs. It strengthens both. It helps you burn off excess fat. It helps burn off excess stress.

Running does this.

Walking does this.

Swimming does this.

Cycling does this.

Aerobic exercise does this.

Intensity is the Key

When it comes to aerobic exercise, the intensity that you work out is determined by your own biology and what works for you. For some people, a brisk walk will get your heart rate up, for others it takes a slow jog or a good run. If it works for you and you enjoy it, then you've found the aerobic exercise that targets your goals and your needs.

It's a mistake to think that if you just walk then you aren't doing enough and that if you run every day then you are working harder than your neighbor who just walks. One form of aerobic exercise is not better than the other. If a brisk walk brings your heart rate up and you are comfortably challenged while walking - then you've found the exercise for you. If it takes a brisk jog and that's what you enjoy - well there you go.

It's the intensity to which you work out that you need to discover to find out what form of aerobic exercise works for you - so what's the answer to the question? What's better, walking or running? Only you can answer that question. So tell me, what is better for you? Walking or running?

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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