Cardio exercises, along with controlled nutrition, is a crucial part of any weight loss effort. Not just that, given the sedentary lifestyle of most urban workers, it is important that everyone gets at least 30 minutes of an intense cardio workout at least three days a week. And since everyone’s favourite form of cardio exercise is to workout on the treadmill, we thought it might be useful to look at the benefits of uphill walking. Needless to say that the benefits of uphill walking on the treadmill is just a city make-do. Needless to say, if you do have the option to walk uphill on real hills, definitely do that instead.
Benefits of Uphill Walking Compared to Flat Walking
The biggest problem with flat land walking is that simply walking is not enough for weight loss. Uphill walking forces you to challenge yourself in every workout. Unless you challenge yourself, it does not count as a cardio workout. In addition, the benefit of uphill walking extends to your muscles as well. Your glutes, calves and hamstrings are forced to work a lot harder during uphill working compared to flat land walking.
Uphill walking could actually work better than running when you consider the stress on your joints like your knees and ankles. Running does put a lot of strain on your joints especially if you’re not landing correctly. This would not be a problem during uphill walking.
Benefits of Uphill Walking: Be Careful
As with all exercise programs, start slow and increase the intensity gradually. If you are used to walking on flat land then any uphill walk will be extra challenging. This is especially true if you walk very slowly and have not been focusing on the walking till now. Make sure that you adjust your body position accordingly like leaning forward, keeping your head steady and not holding on to the hand rails. Hand rails will make it easier on your lower body and not challenge you. The biggest benefit of uphill walking is a shorter, more intense workout – as long as you stay controlled and focused.
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