4 Ways To Make Your Daily Walk More Effective

Plus, why you should be aiming for at least 5,000 steps a day.

It’s hard to overstate the benefits of frequent walks. While this form of exercise may not feel as impactful as a high-intensity workout or distance run, walking actually does wonders for the body.

“Physically it will improve cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart, thereby helping circulation, lower blood pressure, helping in the prevention of heart disease and stroke,” Matthew Nolan, a chief instructor at Barry’s in New York City, told HuffPost.

“Mental health is also a great benefit to walking. The release of the endorphins while walking will help boost mood and overall mental state,” he added.

What’s more, daily walking can help build bone and muscle strength and improve joint health, said Nolan. In fact, people with chronic lower back pain and knee pain can benefit from a regular walking regimen, said Tyler Moldoff, a physical therapist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

“It’s really been exciting more recently seeing a lot of new research coming out about how something as simple as walking can really be an exceptional exercise, when done properly,” he said.