Walking
Why Walk?
Because it's fun and it's free.
Did you know that walking is the #1 choice of physical activity for Canadians? Walking briskly for 30 minutes, 4-7 days/week can help reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality from Chronic Diseases such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, obesity, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, falls and injuries and certain cancers. It can also reduce anxiety, depression and stress levels. Plus, walking helps you feel more energized through the day!
Walking to Improve Your Health (Public Health Agency of Canada)
Urban Poling/Nordic Walking
Urban poling (aka Nordic walking) is a new fitness trend that is quickly spreading across Canada. This new activity combines the aerobic and strength-building benefits of cross-country skiing with the convenience of walking.
For years, healthcare professionals have pushed the benefits of walking for fitness and well-being. Urban poling takes walking to the next level. Poling with specially designed walking poles provides an active workout, engaging almost 90% of the body's muscles, including the core and upper body. Research shows that walking with poles also improves posture, balance and stability and increases the calorie burn by as much as 46 percent compared to regular walking. Using poles increases the cardiovascular output by up to 28 percent, so it's also an excellent cardiovascular fitness activity.
Walkable Communities:
- Walk ON - Envisions an Ontario where people value and seek to live in communities that are safe and accessible for people-powered transport to meet their daily needs.
- iCANwalk - Building sustainable, walkable communities that will improve the health of our citizens, our children and our environment.
Mov'n with Attitude pedometer kit - Track the number of steps you are taking toward better health. Borrow a Mov'n with Attitude pedometer kit from your public library.
Walk21 - Walk21 has a vision to create a world where people choose and are able to walk as a way to travel, to be healthy and to relax.
Stairway to Health
Niagara residents are encouraged to take the stairs whenever possible. Using the stairs burns twice as many calories as walking and contributes to the recommended daily 30 - 60 minutes of physical activity. Using the stairs on a regular basis will help to improve overall fitness, increase bone strength, improve cholesterol levels and help in achieving a healthy weight.
Other...Ways to be Active
Not everyone enjoys walking as a physical activity choice and that's okay because there are so many ways that you can be active at work, at home and at play...more.
