Walking is healthy. Everyone knows that. But Brisk Walking is even healthier. There are many benefits to it. Because we in our physiotherapy practice regularly get questions from people on how to get and stay in motion easily, we looked into the phenomenon of Brisk Walking, also known as power walking, fit walking or sports walking. In short, there are many health benefits to be gained from brisk walking. We are happy to explain it to you.
What is Brisk Walking?
It is basically just a kind of fast walking where you also actively use your arms. The pace is between walking and running and the speed is between 6 to 9 kilometres per hour. Of course, this depends on your basic fitness level and whether you are a beginner or an experienced walker. Brisk walking can be practised both outdoors and indoors. It has been popular for years in England and America and has now also gained a foothold in the Netherlands.
What are the benefits of this?
It is a sport for everyone, regardless of age and fitness level. It is not as injury-prone as running. It is an endurance sport, increasing your endurance and strengthening the muscle groups around hips, thighs and buttocks. In addition, it makes your breathing deeper, thus getting more oxygen into your blood. It also increases the happiness hormone endorphins in your body. In addition, it is good for cardiovascular health, reduces the risk of diabetes, lowers your blood cholesterol levels and is also a perfect form of fall prevention. Moreover, it stimulates digestion and you can reduce your belly fat with Brisk Walking. With half an hour of Brisk Walking, you can burn 200 to 500 calories.
Good for our brain
According to neuropsychologist Erik Scherder, it is also good for our brains. Half an hour a day of brisk walking improves memory, boosts creativity and keeps you independent for longer. It turns out that Brisk Walking activates our frontal lobe, which lies behind our forehead. This keeps our memory from overflowing by subconsciously selecting information so that chaos does not ensue. This is how we keep a grip on everything. When that frontal lobe is affected it reduces our independence, our urge to take initiative and our motivation to do something.
Getting started with Brisk Walking tomorrow? Read our tips first.
If you are reading all this, you probably want to start Brisk Walking right away tomorrow. To get started well prepared, we have listed a few more tips for you.
- If you have (had) certain complaints, consult your GP or physiotherapist before starting.
- Wear good walking shoes.
- Watch your breathing while walking, you should not become short of breath.
- You should not feel pain in your knee or hip joints.
- Build up the walking gradually and extend the walking time a little more each week.
- The maximum effect of Brisk Walking is achieved if you walk for at least 30 minutes five days a week. But an average time of 45 minutes to an hour is even better.
- Want to see exactly how Brisk Walking goes; for indoors check out this video, for outdoors you can use this video view.
More information about Brisk Walking?
Would you like to know more about how to build up Brisk Walken and what exactly to look out for? Or would you like to draw up a personal tailor-made walking programme? We will be happy to give you advice and, if required, guidance. Feel free to contact with us at 085-5000333, info@friskfysio.nl or via the contact form on our website.
