Is There a Right Way to Walk?

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Is There a Right Way to Walk?

Few types of exercise have been rebranded as often as the humble walk. Maybe the hot girl walk gave you structure during lockdown — or the chilly girl walk helped your seasonal depression. Maybe you’ve been curious about Nordic walking, urban hiking, rucking, or the 12-3-30.

Social media claims each one is the latest hack to get in shape. But isn’t walking…walking? Turns out, there’s a difference.

Why are we so into walking?

Walking has always been an accessible (to many) way to get in movement, sans equipment or injury risk. But the pandemic made gentle, easy-access exercise even more crucial — allowing us to destress and leave home, says iFit personal trainer John Peel. That, plus the growing trend of swapping HIIT workouts for cozier ones, brought walking back into the spotlight.

But exercise is exercise, and sometimes we need motivation. “Rebranding and renaming [walking] is a fun way to do it,” says Peel. Like how a new workout set makes sit-ups less terrible, explains Danielle Gray, fitness trainer and founder of Train Like a Gymnast.

Walk me through the trends…and their benefits

• Hot girl walk. The OG mental health walk boosts your mood, improves balance, and, like most of these trends, reduces your risk of conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease. 

• Chilly girl walk. Exercising in the cold can make your heart work harder, and boost your mood and immune system. 

• Urban hike. Long-distance walking helps build endurance, and various terrains engage different muscles, says Peel. 

• Nordic walking. If you want to burn 20%-70% more calories than regular walking and engage almost your whole body, consider buying walking poles. 

• Rucking. The extra weight can build strength and endurance, says Gray. But start small, so you don’t hurt yourself, says Gray. 

• Silent walking. This meditative walk can help reduce anxiety and stress. For more nature vibes, try its cousin, soft hiking. 

Your move

Pick a walk, any walk. But talking to a trainer or doing additional research could help you maximize the benefits without getting hurt. Ultimately, moving in a way that feels good is what matters.

We asked you to vote on a question you’d like answered. The winner was:

How do I know if I should get a colonoscopy before my 40s?

FEATURED EXPERT:

Anton Bilchik, MD

Chief of general surgery and gastroenterologist at Saint John's Health Center

Colonoscopies typically start at 45. But Bilchik says you should get screened before that if your parent or sibling has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Ideally 10 years earlier than their diagnosis (if possible). So “if your sibling [or parent] was diagnosed at age 45, you should get a colonoscopy at age 35.”

Another reason to potentially get screened before 45: If you experience symptoms like “unexplained weight loss and anemia, persistent abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding.” Let your doctor know if you’re dealing with any of these ASAP.

PS: Will insurance cover an early colonoscopy? Find out here.

It’s been a minute since high school health class, but do you know what “candida vaginitis” is more commonly known as?

A. Bacterial infection

B. Yeast infection

C. Vaginal inflammation

The answer is…B. And next time you think you might have one, you can skip the awkward doctor’s visit, thanks to LetsGetChecked’s Vaginitis Test. It has everything you need to take your own sample at home and send it to a lab, where they’ll screen for the three most common vaginal infections (candida vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomonas vaginitis). Once you get your results online, you can book a virtual consultation with a clinician who can recommend next steps and prescribe treatment that’s right for you. Psst…Skimm’rs get 25% off. Done and done.

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We’re here to fact-check health trends, wellness assumptions, and myths. Such as:

Is “sexy water” healthier than plain water?

Well, actually, “there’s no scientific evidence to support the idea that ‘sexy water’ is inherently better for you or healthier than plain water,” says May Zhu, RDN. 

In case you missed it on your FYP, sexy water is just water with add-ins like electrolyte powder, fruit juice, and vitamins — usually served in a fancy glass. Think of it as a way of ~romanticizing~ water by making it less boring and more healthy. At least according to people on TikTok.

Zhuzhing up water with certain electrolytes and micronutrients could be helpful for some people. Like “athletes or individuals who engage in intense physical activity or prolonged workouts,” says Zhu. Jordan Hill, RD, from Top Nutrition Coaching says those who are dehydrated, fighting off an infection, traveling to a higher altitude, or have a certain deficiency may benefit too.

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