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Experiment with different stride lengths during your workouts. Try shorter and faster strides or slower and medium-length strides. You can try entire workouts at a new stride length, or change it up every minute or two. Different stride lengths and speeds will challenge your muscles in different ways so you can keep seeing progress. Take Your Dog Fido will ensure you are walking at a good pace. For an average person (and dog), you're probably in your target speed range when your dog is "trotting" too. Be careful--if Fido tends to pull a lot, it might be dangerous for him. Get more information about walking with your dog. Change Direction People move forward, and walking is no exception. As long as you're careful and don't have any balance issues, walking laterally or even backwards can be a good way to add a little variety to your program. Sideways walking is probably easiest and poses the fewest risks. Keep your body facing in one direction and focus on the movement of your outer and inner thighs as you step to the side. Don't forget to go both ways (lead with the right leg, but don't forget to turn the other way to lead with the left leg, too). On the treadmill, try a very slow speed with 0% incline. You can hold on to the railings for support. Vary Your Program There are countless of simple ways you can change up your walking routine, from experimenting with different workout durations (short, medium or long), different workout intensities (low, moderate and high), and even different days of the week. The more you change things up, the better your results will be, even as you continue to get more fit. |
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Fitness Articles › Focused Fitness14 Ways to Add Variety to Your WalksBored with Walking? Try These Ideas!-- By Jen Mueller & Nicole Nichols, Fitness ExpertsSparkPeople advertisers help keep the site free! Learn more
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About The Author
Nicole Nichols
Nicole was named "America's Top Personal Trainer to Watch" in 2011. A certified personal trainer and fitness instructor with a bachelor's degree in health promotion and education, she loves living a healthy and fit lifestyle and helping others do the same. Her DVDs "Total Body Sculpting" and "28 Day Boot Camp" (a best seller) are available online and in stores nationwide. Read Nicole's full bio and blog posts. Follow Coach Nicole Online:   
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Member Comments
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-to-make-walk
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- 3/8/2013 7:49:52 PM
She also includes upper body movements, changes of pace, and a cooldown & stretching segment. Who would ever think it's possible to get the equivalent of a 5-mile walk in 1 60-minute workout - all because of the pace of movement. Lots of motivation also. - 12/2/2012 4:23:49 PM
I also like to look a birds and count how many different ones I see on my walks. If it is a long walk I like to think, pray or ponder certain subjects on my walks. - 11/5/2010 8:19:55 AM