Why Walking Is One of the Most Underrated Summer Workouts

Summer can make fitness routines feel complicated. Between vacations, weekends at the lake, kids' activities, and packed calendars, getting to the gym as often as you'd like isn't always realistic.

But staying active doesn't always require a structured workout.

One of the simplest and most overlooked ways to keep moving this summer is something you already know how to do:

Walk.

At Gym MPLS, we're big believers that movement counts—even when it doesn't look like a traditional workout. And walking can do a lot more for your health and fitness than you might think.

Walking Doesn't Have to Feel Hard to Be Beneficial

There's a common idea in fitness that if you're not sweating, out of breath, or sore afterward, your workout didn't "count."

That's simply not true.

Walking provides low-impact cardiovascular activity that can support your overall health without placing the same recovery demands on your body as a hard workout.

Regular walking can help support:

• Cardiovascular health
• Daily calorie expenditure
• Joint health and mobility
• Stress management
• Energy levels
• Recovery between harder workouts

And because walking is relatively easy to recover from, you can do it frequently.

Walking and Strength Training Work Together

Walking doesn't need to replace your gym workouts.

It complements them.

Think of strength training as your opportunity to challenge your muscles and walking as one of the easiest ways to increase your overall daily activity.

If you strength train three or four times per week but spend most of the remaining hours sitting, adding daily walks can significantly increase how much you're moving throughout the week.

Summer Makes Walking Easier

One of the best parts about summer in Minnesota is having more opportunities to get outside.

Instead of thinking about walking as another workout you need to schedule, look for ways to naturally incorporate it into your day.

Try:

• Taking a 20-minute walk after dinner
• Walking your dog a little farther
• Exploring a local trail
• Walking around a farmers market
• Taking a morning walk with your coffee
• Walking while catching up with a friend
• Parking farther away when running errands

It doesn't have to be complicated.

Walking Can Be a Great Recovery Tool

Feeling sore from yesterday's workout?

Your instinct might be to sit on the couch and avoid movement completely.

But gentle movement can often be a great way to support recovery.

An easy walk gets you moving without adding significant stress to muscles that are already recovering.

Think of it as active recovery, not another workout you have to conquer.

Don't Underestimate Small Amounts of Movement

You don't necessarily need one long walk to benefit.

Ten minutes in the morning.

Ten minutes at lunch.

Twenty minutes after dinner.

Those small periods of activity add up over days, weeks, and months.

That's an important lesson beyond walking, too.

Fitness doesn't have to be all or nothing.

Take Advantage of Summer

There will be plenty of cold Minnesota days when going for an evening walk doesn't sound nearly as appealing.

Take advantage of the season you're in.

Get outside. Move your body. Enjoy the sunshine.

You don't need to turn every activity into an intense workout for it to support your health.

Keep Moving This Summer

At Gym MPLS, we believe some of the most effective fitness habits are also the simplest.

Strength train consistently. Move throughout your day. Recover well. And find activities you actually enjoy.

Whether you're ready to start strength training or simply want help building a more active lifestyle, stop by Gym MPLS and let our team help you find a routine that works for you.

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