Walking Versus Running

People often rate burning fat as a fitness goal because it reduces the overall body size, and shows off toned muscles. Various exercises have different effects and benefits for the body, but walking and running are the easiest to do in most cases. In addition to being great aerobic exercises, walking and running build cardiovascular fitness, improve sleep, elevate your mood, boost your energy level, decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Just imagine – so much to benefit from such a low-cost exercise you can literally do anywhere and at any time.

Is there really any significant difference in impact between the two?

While both walking and running are convenient enough exercises to be done at one’s will, running is more rigorous. When running, you will burn more calories and fat than if you were walking. Since it is high-impact, running is more effective at burning certain types of fat, including subcutaneous and abdominal body fat. Running also helps facilitate the oxidation of fat in the muscles, breaking them down more efficiently.

Walking, on the other hand, is great for those who are just starting out this workout business. It’s also suggested for those with serious health problems or are significantly overweight because it’s less stressful on the body. Walking also makes the weight more manageable on your knees and ankles, and will prevent joint problems in the long run. How does walking burn fat if it’s so low-impact? Well, low-intensity exercises tend to rely more on fat reserves than they do on calorie reserves. Only thing is, you won’t lose the fat as quickly as you would by running.

Things to Consider

The most important thing is how much fat/calories you are looking to burn. In about 30 minutes of exercising, you will burn only 187 calories walking 4 mph. However, a whopping 365 calories can be lost running at 6mph. Walking may burn more fat for fuel, but running burns more total calories which contributes to greater weight loss.

Another thing to consider is your preference. At the end of the day, both walking and running burn fat. If you’re going to commit to exercising, it helps if you enjoy the exercises. Consistency is a key factor in working out, and you cannot be consistent if you do not like what you are doing. Commit to a method and routine that works for you, and it will pay you more in the long run.