We are all aware that exercise is important for our health. Yet, we also have a thousand reasons why we cannot hit the gym or go outside and get moving. With indoor walking, however, you can get the benefits of exercise right in the comfort of your home.
10 Benefits of indoor walking
Walking is the best exercise choice for people, like myself, who are averse to exercise. It is also a great alternative for those who find it hard to schedule a visit to the gym.
This is because walking is an activity that you can do anytime anywhere.
Walking is also a low-impact exercise with numerous advantages. And if you walk 30 minutes a day, five times a week, you will meet the World Health Organization’s physical activity requirements for a healthy lifestyle.
Furthermore, while walking can be done outdoors, it can most certainly be done indoors.
Here are 10 additional advantages to indoor walking.
Any weather exercise
Whether it’s raining, snowing, or blazing hot, no problem. You can still take a walk and get some physical exercise done.
You got that right. Walking is an exercise you can do in whatever weather. Because you can do it right in your living room.
Move some furniture to make more room for movement, or simply do some walking in place, and voilà! You’re done with your daily dose of exercise!
Convenient
Another benefit of indoor walking is the convenience it provides. Think about it, you don’t have to change into your gym clothes. With whatever you’re wearing, you can go right ahead and walk around the house. Walking shoes are also optional.
In addition, you can schedule your walk at any time of the day. Before breakfast, after lunch, or before bedtime. Whatever time of day you can fit a 30-minute walk, it’s all up to you.
Furthermore, indoor walking is an activity that can be done in a small space. Even the space in which you are standing is sufficient for walking in place. How convenient could that be?
Walking is a free activity
Walking, whether indoors or outdoors does not require a membership fee. It’s free…free…free… Imagine that? You become fit and healthy at no extra cost.
No special training required
Another cost-effective advantage of walking is that it does not require any additional training to learn how to walk. Everyone knows how to walk. There is no requirement for a coach, trainer, or consultant.
Also, no matter what shape your body is in right now, you can always start walking. Indoor walking can help you meet your moderate physical activity requirement. Whether you are a beginner or are already physically active.
No special equipment required
Still another benefit of indoor walking is that there is no need for any special equipment. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes, and even those are optional. You can certainly walk around in your home barefoot.
You can have more fun
Walking around in the comforts of your own home is a benefit in itself. But, you can still amp the entire experience.
For one, because it’s just you or some member of your family, you can turn up the music and walk to the beat. You can also dance-walk or flail your arms around and enjoy the music while having a good exercise.
Additionally, you can follow some indoor videos on YouTube for more physical movements. Aside from the leg raises from indoor walking, these walking videos incorporate other movements such as hamstring curls, side steps, knee lifts, and so on.
This is done to not only exercise other parts of the body but to add variety and intensity to your indoor walking exercise.
Definitely, these other things you can do indoors are way much better than just the forward movement you have when walking outdoors.
Mood improvement
Walking, like any other form of exercise, promotes the release of endorphins in the body, which improves your mood.
And these feelings of good energy can be obtained even when walking indoors. This is according to a new study that shows walking improves your mood. Even if you’re walking indoors in a gloomy environment and then facing a dreaded chore.
So, whenever you’re feeling down, taking a walk, even in your own living room will lift your spirits.
Boosts creativity
According to Stanford research, walking improves creative thinking by as much as 60%. This is in comparison to your level of creativity when you are sedentary or simply sitting down.
Moreover, whether you walk outdoors or indoors, the creative output is the same. Research indicates that it is the act of walking, rather than the environment, that inspires creative thinking.
Thus, whenever you feel stumped in something you are working on. Or if you need a creative boost, all you need to do is take walk. Take it from famous walkers such as Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.
Burns calories
Walking indoors can also help burn some calories. Although the number of calories you burn will still depend on factors such as body weight, metabolism, and the intensity of your walk.
Therefore, if losing weight is your goal, you need to increase the intensity of your walk indoors. Power walks combined with strength training will undoubtedly help you shed some of those extra pounds.
Good for the body
Walking is most definitely a great aerobic exercise. Aside from the benefits already mentioned earlier, it needs to be pointed out that indoor walking is also good for the body.
The numerous benefits of walking include the following:
- Improvement of the cardiovascular system,
- Strengthens bones and muscles,
- Improvement of joint flexibility,
- Good for the lungs and breathing,
- Provides more energy and stamina,
- Memory improvement,
- Sleep improvement,
- Skin improvement,
- Improvement of balance and coordination, and
- Good for the brain.
Conclusion
To conclude, walking is a low-impact activity that can be done indoors, allowing you to meet the World Health Organization’s healthy lifestyle requirements.
Aside from leading a healthy lifestyle, indoor walking is beneficial for the following reasons:
- Indoor walking is an “any weather” exercise,
- It is convenient,
- It is a free activity,
- No special training is required,
- No special equipment is required,
- You can have more fun,
- Indoor walking also improves your mood,
- Boosts creativity,
- Burns calories, and
- Good for the body
Please share your thoughts or ideas about How To Develop A Good Walking Habit in the comments below. And if you liked this article, you might be interested as well in these articles:
Walking As A Hobby What Is The Impact
How To Develop A Good Walking Habit
How To Make Your Walking Hobby A Habit
7 Reasons To Develop A Walking Habit Today
Why Good Habits Beat Motivation
How To Define Yourself By Your Habits
9 Effective Habits For A Happy Life
Building Good Habits For Your To Be
How To Break 9 Bad Habits That Keep You Down
7 Tips On How To Develop A Persistent Habit
Outside reference/s:
Is Walking in Place Good Exercise?
7 Reasons To Start Walking in Place
Stanford study finds walking improves creativity
Walking facilitates positive affect (even when expecting the opposite)