Turn Walking Into A More Powerful Workout: 6 Ways To Do It
It’s no secret that walking is a great form of workout. Of all the exercises you can think of, walking happens to be the easiest and cheapest thing to do. There’s no need to go to the gym. You can make use of whatever space you have! It suits people of all levels and ages.
But as an aspiring pro cheerleader, you also want to know how to make a typical walk more effective! In this article, I’ll be showing you six different ways to spice up your walking workouts to boost your audition prep.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
1. Get a pedometer or fitness tracker.
First things first: Have a device or app that will track your steps. Your number one goal is to be active as possible, which is why you should aim to increase your step count. The goal of 10,000 steps per day was established by a company in Japan, and today it is used as a standard goal by activity monitors and pedometers.
2. Walk longer in the fat-burning zone.
The “fat-burning zone” is based on the theory that if you maintain your heart rate at 70% of your maximum heart rate, you can effectively burn more fat. (To calculate your maximum heart rate, simply subtract your age from 220). And of course, walking longer increases your physical activity, which allows you to burn more stored fat! A good walking exercise duration to aim for is 45 minutes.
3. Pause to do bodyweight exercises.
Walk for 7 minutes and then stop to perform a bodyweight exercise in place. Great bodyweight workouts include plyometric lunges, squats, burpees, and planks. By incorporating bodyweight exercises, not only do you burn more fat, but you also increase your flexibility.
4. Walk uphill.
Walking on an incline increases the intensity of your activity. Your abdomen and legs work harder to keep up. Research says that a 150-pound person burns an additional 48 calories per mile by walking uphill. When exercising outdoors, make sure that the hill you walk on is challenging enough.
5. Practice speed walking.
As the term implies, “speed walking” entails walking faster. Here’s a trick: To motivate you to walk faster, set a distance goal on your fitness device or app. Don’t ignore your posture because it plays a role in your ability to walk and breathe comfortably. Stand straight and tall, keep your eyes forward, and suck in your stomach.
6. Walk backwards.
This may sound silly, but walking backwards is one way to add variety to your training. It also targets different leg muscles. To avoid tripping hazards, start slowly and check that the floor is free of any obstacles.
Final Thoughts
Prior to your walking workout, take the time to stretch and warm up. March in place, swing your arms, and do some hamstring and calf stretches. Get an exercise buddy to make each activity more enjoyable!
Need a Great Workout Routine for Your Pro Cheer Audition Prep?
Pro cheerleaders stay fit, flexible, and strong so they can give out their best performance in the arena. However, achieving that wow-worthy, toned physique doesn’t happen overnight. You need to arm yourself with the right daily workouts.
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