There is a perennial dilemma that has no quick answer: which is better: running or walking? Perhaps this question will unsettle you, because you are seriously thinking about getting in shape and you have decided to choose one of these two activities. Both disciplines are beneficial for both our body and our health, simply because it is about exercise. Of course, in order to make a better decision, it is important that you know the pros and cons of each option. Then you choose!
Better to walk
The Spanish Heart Foundation is clear: walking is better than running. For a while, this part is known as power walking. This activity offers many benefits. It is a discipline that keeps cholesterol at bay, lowers blood pressure, controls sugar levels, promotes calorie burning, and supports the immune system. But also, if you practice this with a certain intensity, it will help you tone your legs and buttocks. To give you an idea that walking at a moderate speed (about 5 km / h) you can lose about 300 calories per hour.
So, bet on a power walk if:
- You have never exercised and are not in good physical shape
- You are overweight
- You have a knee injury (since walking has less impact than running)
- You want to gradually lead a sedentary lifestyle
- Do you prefer to exercise outdoors than in the gym
It’s better to work if …
The benefits of running are well demonstrated. It not only promotes cardiovascular function, but like power walking , it also reduces the risk of diabetes or hypertension. As a disadvantage, we could point out that this is an action with a certain effect, so if you have a knee or joint injury, this may not be the most convenient.
However, there is no question that running is much more intense exercise than walking, so you burn more calories. In general terms, we can say that 5 minutes of running equals approximately 15 minutes of walking. For this reason, it is the recommended discipline for young people and those in good physical shape. Here are some tips on how to get it right.
In the dilemma of which is better: running or walking, you can choose the first option if:
- You want to do an exercise of a certain intensity and more vigorously
- You have been playing sports for several years
- You would like to get short term results. For example, if you want to lose weight faster.
- You are one of those who prefers to play sports alone and outdoors
- You don’t have much free time to go to the gym
So, if you’re wondering which is better: running or walking, in the end it will all depend on the time you have. As we mentioned a few lines above, to burn the calories equivalent to 25 minutes of running, you must go outside for more than an hour and a half.
In any case, ideally, you should follow the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), regardless of the chosen exercise. This body emphasizes the need to devote at least 150 minutes a week to physical activity.