is walking fast enough as cardio?

[kosp]

Hello,

do you think doing fast walks is enough to get all the benefits of cardio in terms of fat loss and cardiovascular health? do you really need to martyr yourself doing spinning classes or jogging to get strong heart and lungs?

 

[T&H]

Hello,

do you think doing fast walks is enough to get all the benefits of cardio in terms of fat loss and cardiovascular health? do you really need to martyr yourself doing spinning classes or jogging to get strong heart and lungs?

Yes. Walking is proven to be sufficient for health benefits and IMO, better than spinning and Ellipticals.

 

[Evom1]

100%, only cardio I do during contest prep

 

[lukiss96]

Walking is a form of cardio and just like swimming are one of the best activities actually, not so hard to figure out why.

 

[Megadick3000]

Walking is a form of cardio and just like swimming are one of the best activities actually, not so hard to figure out why.

Bruh walkings not even close to as good as swimming, fuck outta here with your old ladies power walking club!

 

[Ridethelightningbarefoot]

Yes. You wont get the same fat loss but it is enough for significant fat loss without hardly any catabolism that happens with high intensity cardio.

 

[kosp]

I feel in shape enough so I get bored with just walking, my body always asks me to start jogging and feel the heart and breathing go strong, otherwise I feel like I'm doing nothing.

 

[lukiss96]

Bruh walkings not even close to as good as swimming, fuck outta here with your old ladies power walking club!

Go do some jogging then. To me walking is good exercise that I can do daily without much planning. Walking and swimming are both best. You won't change that.

 

[Leg_locker]

I feel in shape enough so I get bored with just walking, my body always asks me to start jogging and feel the heart and breathing go strong, otherwise I feel like I'm doing nothing.

Walk on a steep Incline to make it harder without jogging alot easier on the knees also

 

[Drexyl]

All you need to do is get that heart pumping, move that nice oxygenated blood throughout the system. Cardio for weight loss is BS, that's diet. But improving overall health? Get that O2 saturated blood throughout your body.

 

[Yar]

Hello,

do you think doing fast walks is enough to get all the benefits of cardio in terms of fat loss and cardiovascular health? do you really need to martyr yourself doing spinning classes or jogging to get strong heart and lungs?

Low-intensity cardio = walking is enough for fat loss and lipolysis. Some people find it easier to run than to walk.

 

[Yar]

Walking is a form of cardio and just like swimming are one of the best activities actually, not so hard to figure out why.

Swimming is very good for the musculoskeletal support, vertebrae and prophylaxis.

 

[Yar]

All you need to do is get that heart pumping, move that nice oxygenated blood throughout the system. Cardio for weight loss is BS, that's diet. But improving overall health? Get that O2 saturated blood throughout your body.

Cardio is only a process that supplements the diet, but no one has canceled the process of lipolysis, as an anabolic effect from strength training.

 

[Roguespear1226]

Depends on your goals. Fat loss? Aerobic capacity? Walking is fine, just takes more time. If you like running, just know your HR zones and stay Z2 or lower. Majority of my total running volume is done at an HR of 135 or below, with one workout a week doing hills or track intervals for anaerobic capacity.

 

[Whopperflopper]

Walking is a great addition to your cardio arsenal. Better than quarterbacking from the couch.
Swimming #1 for me. Have you ever seen a surfers Lats?

 

[Mac11wildcat]

Vast majority of my cardio, off-season or prep, is walking. If you keep pace and aren’t just strolling walking is fantastic for general health and as a means of adding to a deficit. Find a loop near you with hills if you can.

 

[Orkoo]

Depends on your goals. Fat loss? Aerobic capacity? Walking is fine, just takes more time. If you like running, just know your HR zones and stay Z2 or lower. Majority of my total running volume is done at an HR of 135 or below, with one workout a week doing hills or track intervals for anaerobic capacity.

135HR while jogging? I get into 150-160 walking an incline. Am I overdoing it for lipolysis?? Im always soaked after an hour on the treadmill.

 

[Roguespear1226]

135HR while jogging? I get into 150-160 walking an incline. Am I overdoing it for lipolysis?? Im always soaked after an hour on the treadmill.

So, your body utilizes fats and carbohydrates on an inverse curve depending on your HR or % of VO2 Max. For an example of what I mean check out the graph on this LINK. The lower your HR, the more predominately you burn fat, as you approach 66%(ish) of VO2 Max you’re burning about equal parts fat/carbs(in the form of glycogen), and above that your body will predominantly utilize carbs(glycogen). I would guess that if you’re in the 150-160 bpm range you’re sitting right about that 50/50 point but probably still a bit under and burning more fat. Best was to find out where your HR zones are would be to do a Max HR/Threshold test. I’d recommend THIS FIELD TEST then plug your average HR into THIS CALCULATOR.

Once you have those numbers then monitor your HR during cardio and keep it in Z1/Z2. You’ll be burning predominantly fat and saving valuable energy for when you need it most, such as higher intensity lifting and interval type work. You’ll also find that over time with consistency, your HR will start coming down during cardio and you’ll be able to add more speed or more incline.

I know that’s a lot of info, let me know if you need clarification on anything. Hopefully it helps.

 

[TerryGuy]

I don't see walking as cardio, not saying it doesn't work and isn't effective.

Stair Master for me is cardio, walking is just a day to day activity that everyone does.

 

[MindlessWork]

I walk or sprint up a hill near my home like every day, considering I have a desk job. At the gym I squeeze in 10-15 mins of cardio at end of session, on stairmaster or the bike at a good pace.