woman&home is gearing up for a 5km stint in the Avon Justine iThemba Walkathon on 25 October. Get fit alongside us, by checking out our walk-your-way to health guide featuring daily tips over the month of October!
While we’re eager to get walking to shed those kilos, it’s important to prevent strained muscles. Here’s how…
If you’ve been out of the exercise game for a while, walking is a great way to get back into it. Especially if you pick lovely scenic routes to take your mind off the fact that you’re actually working out! However, it’s still possible to strain your muscles, which will leave you feeling stiff and sore the next day. That’s why it’s best not to hurl yourself straight into a moderate- to high-intensity walk, which is the ideal speed to burn kilojoules. You need to warm up before you pick up speed, and cool down again after.
Start off doing a few leg- and arm stretches before you hit your daily route, and then ease yourself into a moderate-intensity walk by strolling at a gentle pace for five minutes. After you’ve completed your daily steps, add an extra five minutes to cool down with another slow-paced walk, where you gently ease into a stroll, focusing on your breathing. Finish off with a couple of leg- and arm stretches.
Enter the Avon Justine iThemba Walkathon today!
