Is walking considered a

[Luvchefmic]

Agree with most of the pp, according to my orthopedic, my physical & occupational therapists ( recovering from an accident end/Jan) walking is most definitely a weight bearing exercise Keep going OP !

 

[MomofKatie]

The National Osteoporosis Foundation, webMD and other medical sites consider it weight bearing exercise.

Yes! My mom has been in a long time osteoporosis/osteopenia medical study. She receives medication and medical care as part of the study, and the participants are encouraged to engage in at least 30 mins of weight bearing exercise a day. Walking is one of the most recommended forms of weight bearing exercise. My mom walks around 90 mins a day.

 

[CPT Tripss]

You could add on some ankle weights if you want a bit more resistance. The fact that you're walking several miles regularly at all is great I wouldn't get too hung up on what prevents what - exercise, eat healthy, and the rest is out of your hands!

More is not always better, and in thic case, it is probably worse.

The problem with added weights is that "newbies" alter their gait and increase the impact, increasing the likelihood of injury to feet and joints, and it also may reduce the duration of aerobic exercise.

 

[aaarcher86]

More is not always better, and in thic case, it is probably worse.

The problem with added weights is that "newbies" alter their gait and increase the impact, increasing the likelihood of injury to feet and joints, and it also may reduce the duration of aerobic exercise.

Well of course the OP would need to decide if she's ready and wants more or not. Someone walking 5 - 6 miles regularly would hardly be a newbie, IMO. OP didn't indicate that she has anything wrong health wise, just that she had heard about preventing BBD. I don't know why 'in this case' you'd think it would be worse?

She's already got small weights. If she's ready for more, add more IF she wants to. That's exactly how you build up weight, slowly, instead of jumping right in which DOES cause injury.

 

[ckay87]

Eh, as I said, by the loosest definition yes. Walking is good and all but when I think of weight bearing I want to have added resistance, not just my bodyweight. I would use the term body-weight exercise for anything that is only using my own weight and gravity, not weight bearing. To each their own.

It's not at all "to each their own." OP did not ask "is walking a good way to train for a triathalon?" Your responses are valid for that question - walking will not turn a person into an athlete. But is it weight bearing? Certainly it is. It's up to the OP to turn it into "exercise" - that is the debatable term here. And that is where it will differ for everyone. But you can feel that. Are you walking long, fast and hard? And frequently? There ya go - weight bearing exercise.

You could add on some ankle weights if you want a bit more resistance. The fact that you're walking several miles regularly at all is great I wouldn't get too hung up on what prevents what - exercise, eat healthy, and the rest is out of your hands!

That will KILL your knees, at least at any distance and duration.

 

[Justmeandnooneelse]

It's not at all "to each their own." OP did not ask "is walking a good way to train for a triathalon?" Your responses are valid for that question - walking will not turn a person into an athlete. But is it weight bearing? Certainly it is. It's up to the OP to turn it into "exercise" - that is the debatable term here. And that is where it will differ for everyone. But you can feel that. Are you walking long, fast and hard? And frequently? There ya go - weight bearing exercise.



That will KILL your knees, at least at any distance and duration.

 

[SLCborn]

Eh, as I said, by the loosest definition yes. Walking is good and all but when I think of weight bearing I want to have added resistance, not just my bodyweight. I would use the term body-weight exercise for anything that is only using my own weight and gravity, not weight bearing. To each their own.

That's might be what it means to YOU but, to the medical community (of which I am a member of) weight bearing means the amount of body weight put on the legs. Your "opinion" is nothing more than an opinion and an errant one at that.

OP good for you!! Walking/jogging/working out is better regardless of how you do it!!! I'd walk whatever amount is comfortable for you and then be proud of doing so!

 

[John VN]

Walking, whether on feet or hands, IS weight bearing.

It's not at all "to each their own." OP did not ask "is walking a good way to train for a triathalon?" Your responses are valid for that question - walking will not turn a person into an athlete. But is it weight bearing? Certainly it is. It's up to the OP to turn it into "exercise" - that is the debatable term here. And that is where it will differ for everyone. But you can feel that. Are you walking long, fast and hard? And frequently? There ya go - weight bearing exercise.



That will KILL your knees, at least at any distance and duration.

Regarding my bolding in above quote.....please clarify


McFlurry John

 

[ckay87]

Walking, whether on feet or hands, IS weight bearing.



Regarding my bolding in above quote.....please clarify


McFlurry John

You know, the person I was addressing is a marathon runner and he was responding to this thread as if the OP wants to become the next Iron Man or something. I was conceding that of course that won't happen if you're just walking. I proceeded say that walking is indeed a weight bearing exercise. A really really good one, at that.

It's all good, I'm a huge proponent of walking. I think for most people it is a far superior form of exercise to running when done pretty vigorously and regularly.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well of course the OP would need to decide if she's ready and wants more or not. Someone walking 5 - 6 miles regularly would hardly be a newbie, IMO. OP didn't indicate that she has anything wrong health wise, just that she had heard about preventing BBD. I don't know why 'in this case' you'd think it would be worse?

She's already got small weights. If she's ready for more, add more IF she wants to. That's exactly how you build up weight, slowly, instead of jumping right in which DOES cause injury.

Honestly, I would never wear ankle weights for distance walking. It does alter your gait and that can lead to body parts being exercised in an odd position which can lead to injury.

Your gait while walking is very important.

Ex. I am knock kneed, plantar fasciitis both feet, and Morton's neuroma in my right foot. My core is still weak. (I am working on all of this.)

I saw a few doc's, got physical therapy, orthotics for feet, fitted properly with shoes from a pedorthist, I do strength training with ankle weights as per my PT regime to build my core and help me with my physical issues. I can't imagine walking with them.

Unfortunately for me, my walking days are limited these days until I get my core strength back again, running is off the table for me perhaps forever. I have to look into biking.

I limit myself to 1 mile walking and then follow up with my core training exercises/stretching/band work/weights, etc... Now THAT is a workout and you really feel great.

 

[aaarcher86]

Honestly, I would never wear ankle weights for distance walking. It does alter your gait and that can lead to body parts being exercised in an odd position which can lead to injury.

Your gait while walking is very important.

Ex. I am knock kneed, plantar fasciitis both feet, and Morton's neuroma in my right foot. My core is still weak. (I am working on all of this.)

I saw a few doc's, got physical therapy, orthotics for feet, fitted properly with shoes from a pedorthist, I do strength training with ankle weights as per my PT regime to build my core and help me with my physical issues. I can't imagine walking with them.

Unfortunately for me, my walking days are limited these days until I get my core strength back again, running is off the table for me perhaps forever. I have to look into biking.

I limit myself to 1 mile walking and then follow up with my core training exercises/stretching/band work/weights, etc... Now THAT is a workout and you really feel great.

And that's fine. If the OP is looking for more of a challenge its something to consider. Your experiences are very different from mine and consulting a doctor before changing a fitness regime goes without saying.

I would wear weights during basketball practices and jogging. I came out of it fine.

Maybe it's my age, but I've never seen so much concern for injury while walking. OP hasn't said there is any underlying injury or oddity on her health to cause such a terror from walking.

 

[snykymom]

Interesting; I had never considered walking sufficient for osteoporosis prevention. What about the upper body, though? Should weight bearing exercises for the arms, wrists, shoulders & back be added to a walking regimen, or is the walking sufficient to help all bones in the body?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

And that's fine. If the OP is looking for more of a challenge its something to consider. Your experiences are very different from mine and consulting a doctor before changing a fitness regime goes without saying.

I would wear weights during basketball practices and jogging. I came out of it fine.

Maybe it's my age, but I've never seen so much concern for injury while walking. OP hasn't said there is any underlying injury or oddity on her health to cause such a terror from walking.

It is age.

I used to be able to take classes, walk 10 miles, etc, etc...

My tortured journey started 4yrs ago. I was exercising fine, walking fine, etc...and then we moved. I did not exercise for close to 2yrs on a reg. basis.

Well one day I got my Jillian Michael's tape out and injured my back doing lunges. And there is where my rabbit hole started.

You are just never the "same" after an injury. It takes total dedication to get yourself back up to speed.

It has been 4yrs since my initial injury and I am finally on the right track.

 

[aaarcher86]

It is age.

I used to be able to take classes, walk 10 miles, etc, etc...

My tortured journey started 4yrs ago. I was exercising fine, walking fine, etc...and then we moved. I did not exercise for close to 2yrs on a reg. basis.

Well one day I got my Jillian Michael's tape out and injured my back doing lunges. And there is where my rabbit hole started.

You are just never the "same" after an injury. It takes total dedication to get yourself back up to speed.

It has been 4yrs since my initial injury and I am finally on the right track.

Well... now I feel bad Lol - but seriously, you're working on it... that takes a lot of willpower and dedication and you should be proud of how far you've come since starting!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Walking is a perfectly good exercise for many different issues. As long as you walk long enough (30 minutes) and at a good enough pace that you raise your heart rate, it's a decent way to exercise. At least it's a start.