by Wilhelm Schnotz

Created on: June 27, 2007   Last Updated: March 06, 2010

Fitness can be improved by a range of activities including walking and running. The choice to walk or run depends on the benefits that you seek from your exercise. Walking and running involve quite different techniques, intensities and equipment.

If you are fairly inactive, then walking provides an easy way for you to be active. It is at a low intensity, non-impact (good for people with bad knees etc.) and it requires minimal equipment. Walking, like running, can be done anywhere, but unlike running, the risk of injury is lower.

On the other hand, if you regularly walk, or you are fairly fit, then running is a great way to be active. Running develops different muscles than walking and  it involves the use of more muscle groups, so more energy is expended while running. Running has similar health benefits to walking, but as it is more vigorous, these benefits are greater. One of the benefits of running that is not so apparent in walking is that it maintains bone health. This means that if you were to run for 20 minutes to get the same health benefits from walking you might need to walk for up to an hour.

Walking and running both have the advantage that they can be done nearly anywhere, anytime, with anyone and that you can walk or run instead of driving a car. So if you are in a hurry to get somewhere, you might to choose to run; if not, you could walk there and enjoy the surrounding environment. Whether you choose to run or walk, or do both, make sure you enjoy your activity.

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