The Advantages of Speed Walking
November 29, 2009 by Kris Jones
Filed under Fitness
Speed walking is the ultimate compromise between walking and casual jogging. Walking is a good foundation for getting yourself accustomed to physical activity for extended periods but it fails to burn a lot of calories because it doesn’t require a lot of energy. Jogging can be defined as the lowest rung of running. In fact, while many joggers have a running style of form, they aren’t accelerating that much above a walking pace.
Speed walking (also called power walking) is a close combination of the two but with a few twists. Obviously, the foundation of speed walking is a walking form but much more strength is utilized in the powerful motions. This means more energy is being used and therefore more calories are being burned. Speed walking requires better posture and much more power from your arms which helps develop some upper body strength. Your legs also incorporate more of a bounding motion.
Because this all takes place in a walking frame, your back and knees absorb much less shock than you would get jogging. You’re also going to get more of a total body benefit because more of your body is being used to maintain a high rate of speed.
This video gives a good overview of how to power walk:
