Since I have been walking more now than running there are a few observations that I have noticed. It seems there are more walkers around the neighborhood than runners. It might be because of the hot temperatures in the summer that runners tend to run earlier in the morning, or later in the evening, when there are cooler temperatures. Many of the walkers are with dogs or pushing a stroller with a child in it. In hot weather it is better for dogs to avoid long runs. Dogs do not handle hot weather well. The only way they can cool themselves is by panting with their tongue.
Walking is something that almost anyone can do with minimal equipment, very little stress to joints and muscles, no after exercise soreness, and is one of the fastest growing activities with an estimated 80 million participants. Walkers need the same footwear that runner’s need. There are walking shoes that can be purchased but a running shoe will be just as good. Comfortable shoes will make you much more likely to stick to a program. Painful feet will make anyone want to quit. Most shoe stores now have special walking shoes for you to purchase. The key is to try them out before you buy them on the type of surface you will be walking on. You will probably not be walking on a carpet so find a hard floor to see how the shoes feels while you are actually walking. Try several styles to see which pair feels best for you.
One point that makes walking better as an activity versus running is that in terms of weight loss, or calorie burning, there is not that much difference between the two activities. Checking on various exercises for the calorie expenditures this is the results from one text.
