Walking is an inexpensive way for individuals in any fitness level to start shaping and toning their bodies. If you are wondering if walking can tone your legs, it depends on your determination and willpower.
One of the most basic aerobic exercises, walking can help in toning your legs as well as cut down fat. Walking is considered one of the best low-impact aerobic exercises. It’s safe for everyone of any age or state of fitness – especially for those just starting with their fitness journey
Walking Does Tone Your Legs
Remember that you need to make changes in your diet as well as knowing when to take your workout to a whole new level.
We suggest keeping these two goals as your priorities and start toning your legs.
How many calories will I burn?
It is important to note that your walking intensity has a big role in the number of calories that you will burn. The higher the intensity, the more calories you will burn, and the faster you will see the results.
The muscle tissue can burn four times as many calories as fat. The muscle you develop from walking can also aid in cutting down weight.
It merely indicates that you can cut down some of the fat build-up in your legs and tone them in 1-2 months of brisk walking daily for 60 minutes per session.
For beginners, I suggest taking it slow during the early stage and steadily progress as your endurance improves.
Once you find your walking routine boring, you can add a few modifications to make it challenging while more effective at the same time.
Useful Walking Tips for Toning Your Legs
Walking is the ideal cardio workout that will maintain your fitness level. With a few modifications to your walking routine, it will help burn more fat. If you want to tone your legs, we suggest including a few extra elements to your routine.
Simple Tips Included in Your Walk Workout To Change Your Legs Into Their Best Form.
Changing Direction
If you can go outdoors and walk, we suggest you should do that. This allows you to include a variety of resistance to your routine and allows you to change your course, such as walking sideways readily.
The innermost thigh muscles or adductors are not targeted at a general pace. By bringing the inner thighs together, it helps target these areas.
We recommend including four 60-second breaks of walking sideward, interchanging courses in every interval.
You can even include high-knee action while walking for better burning of fat. Simply raise your knees as high as possible with every step forward. We suggest aligning your knee with your hip.
For A Challenge
Hold your knee at the top of the movement for 2-3 seconds before taking the next step. Try doing high knees at 30 seconds at a time while walking and repeat 2-4 times.
Look For a Hill
Those who engage in sprinting always include hill work during their training. The purpose is not just to increase the heart rate. When climbing an incline, it focuses on the demand on your thigh muscles.
Take note that walking up hills both forward and backward increases your walking routine’s intensity and helps effectively tone your thighs.
Once you add extreme elements to your walking routines such as hills or speed, it maximizes the burning of fat in your body.
Lifting Your Legs
If you want an easy way to target the back part of your thighs, simply take a step forward and lengthen the back leg straight up behind.
By raising your leg behind you, it contracts the glutes and boosts definition, and tones the back part of your thigh and glutes.
We suggest doing this for 30 seconds every other minute or so during your walking routine.
Tips On How to Stay Safe While Walking
While making the most out of your walking routine, you should always remember the following safety tips:
- We suggest walking in areas that are designated for pedestrians. Go for well-lit areas if possible.
- In case you prefer to exercise during the evening or early morning hours, use a reflectorized vest or garment or even a light, so you are visible to vehicles on the road.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing along with sturdy shoes that offer good heel and arch support.
- Increase your intake of water before and after your walking routine to keep your body hydrated.
- Apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn, even during cloudy days.
Make it a point to remember these tips to make your walking routine a safe one, especially at night.
Getting Started with Walking
For beginners, we suggest getting a good pair of sturdy walking shoes.
Decide on a walking routine close to your home or go for a picturesque place to walk in your neighborhood such as the beach or a trail.
You can also request a family member or friend to walk with you and hold you accountable. Otherwise, you can include walking into your day-to-day routine.
We Will Share Below Some Ideas That You Can Try Out:
- If you commute, leave the train or bus stop early and hike the entire way to your workplace.
- Try parking farther away from your workplace and walk to and from your vehicle.
- It might be time to walk instead of driving when doing errands. With this approach, you can complete your tasks and maintain your fitness at the same time.
These tips will make it easier for you to include walking into your daily routine.
Final Thoughts
Walking can achieve the recommended exercise for individuals of all ages and fitness levels. You can get a pedometer or another type of fitness tracker to monitor your daily steps.
Do not forget to properly warm-up and cool down before your walking routine to avoid injury.
As a basic form of aerobic activity, walking can, over time, help tone your legs.
The tips we shared with you will help you achieve well-toned legs in no time while maintaining your overall fitness level.
