The benefits of walking include: Improved cardiovascular health, improved performance and recovery, improved energy, productivity, and creativity, and enhanced mood. Walking has also been shown to support weight loss efforts.

The best part? Walking is one of the easiest ways to add a little extra movement into your day, and it can be performed anywhere, anytime. All you need is a pair of sneakers and a little motivation.

While getting in extra steps can be a casual addition to your day, you can also make it more intentional and maximize the burn. That’s why we’ve put together a list of ten ways you can turn a leisurely stroll into a calorie-torching workout.

1. Add incline -According to research, climbing a hill will send your heart rate (and overall calorie burn) sky-rocketing. Plus, incline workouts activate your glutes and hamstrings, giving you some added toning.

2. Make it Brisk - The faster you walk, the more calories you’ll burn. Find a routine (or distance) you can repeat regularly. Find out how long it takes you to complete the route. Then, try and beat that speed every time after that when you want an extra challenge.

3. Sneak a little strength Add some walking lunges, froggy jumps, and side steps to get your heart rate up, and add some extra muscle sculpting to your walk.

4. Listen to Music - Listening to upbeat music has been proven to make people walk faster without even realizing it, resulting in a greater overall calorie burn

5. Make it a full body movement- Don’t let your legs get all the glory. Adding a little arm pump to your walk helps increase your speed and your heart rate. Don’t be shy — let those arms fly.

6. Add intervals- Just like you would during a HIIT workout or run, challenge yourself to walk as fast as you possibly can for a short distance and then slow down to recover for 15 to 30 seconds.

7. Activate Muscle-mind Connection - The more muscles you can activate on each stride, the more effort (or calories) your body will use.

8. Get competitive -Grab a partner and add a little friendly competition into the equation. Challenge each other to walk a certain amount of steps or miles per week!

9. Download FitOn app - Speaking of motivation, download the FitOn App and find walking workouts that will inspire you to lace up your sneakers and get moving!

10. Top it off with a stretch - Prep your muscles for your next workout and end your walk with a stretch. Stretching is key to helping release any muscle tension, reduce your chance of injury, improve your posture, manage stress, promote circulation and enable your muscles to work more effectively.

Live Your Best Life and Add Walking to Your Routine

There’s nothing like coming back from a solid walk with a fresh perspective, ready to tackle a productive day or wind down afterward before settling in for a cozy evening.

Let’s give walking its much-deserved moment of glory and burn some extra calories while we’re at it.

Culled from FitOn App