Running and walking are two of the most effective forms of exercise. They don’t require gym equipment and can be undertaken on any surface. If you can’t decide which one of the two to go with to meet your personal fitness and exercise needs, we’re here to help you decide.

When to choose walking

Are you unfit or haven’t exercised in a long time due to injury, illness or surgery? If you’ve answered yes, then it’s best to start with walking. It’s a great way to build your fitness levels and ensure that there is a low risk of joint injury, provided you wear comfortable and supportive shoes and stay well hydrated.

If you’re overweight, walking is a great way to slowly and steadily shed those excess kilos, and the great thing about walking is that you can slowly change up your routine as your fitness levels improve. An easy way to increase your exercise exertion and challenge without straining your joints is to start carrying arm weights or dumbbells, or to start walking in areas with a slight incline.

When to choose running

If you’re a relatively healthy and fit person, running is a great exercise for you. It’s also one of the most effective forms of cardiovascular exercise, and is a great tool for those wanting to lose weight. This is because running not only burns calories, but also provides a mild appetite suppressing effect in those who do it regularly.

A short and sharp session is all that’s needed to increase your fitness levels and burn calories every day, but this is provided that your heart and joints can manage the pace and exertion. Consistent running will improve your heart and lung capacity over time, and after you’ve really gotten into it, you might even find yourself experience the infamous ‘Runners High’ that keeps runners going back for more.

As you can see, running and walking are both equally great forms of exercise. What you’ll have to weigh up, is based on this information, which better suits your needs. Now that you have a better idea of what both involve, you can make the best choice for yourself. Simply invest in a pair of quality running shoes and have your Zen Pain Relief products ready, so you can recover quickly and reduce the risk of injury.

Related Tag: Sports Injury Treatment