Ease into your walking workout with a warm-up. This could mean starting your walk at a slower pace and then building up to briskness. To cool down, you can slow your pace again, allowing your heart rate to return to normal while you’re still in motion. Concluding with a few gentle, dynamic stretches can help your muscles recover and improve range of motion.
Our movement tells a far more complex and multifaceted story than simply our capacity to be physically active. How we walk—how far, how long, how frequently, and, importantly, how quickly— provides insight into what is happening inside our bodies and minds, and predicts how healthy we may be in the future.