To think getting out for a walk is better for you than the gym?

[lostinthememory]

And this is a hill I'm willing to die on

Yes going to the gym is great, especially if you're lifting weights etc with a goal to building muscle mass. But for most of us, it's far better to get out and go for a nice brisk walk in the sunshine (or even the sleet, as I did yesterday!) and leaves you feeling much better

That sounds blissful re running in the forest or by a lake.

I'm in a small town so can easily get into proper countryside for my walks - try and go at lunchtime on some wfh days (which obviously can't be v long therefore but otherwise it's dark). I would however have liked to go for a short run yesterday but felt like it was a bit too icy so would have liked to have used a gym in that scenario (I also like weightlifting). Ultimately whatever movement you enjoy and so will do regularly is the best.

Personally I like to do a mixture of things including walking. Am hoping to build a gym in the garage when we move into our new house - that will feel like an amazing luxury, I just need to find away to make the garage quite sealed and hopefully fairly 'spider proof' - our current garage is just too full of crap and nooks and crannies and chock full of spiders so it's a no go zone for me. Pathetic I know but I really won't use it if I'm petrified of going in there.....

@soupfiend sounds like your step tracker is too sensitive.

My Fitbit doesn't register any steps when I am drying my hair. As it's icy today I went on the treadmill for 20 mins for a walk/jog as parkrun was cancelled and I have done some housework such as mopping and dusting, and still only on a paltry 1884 !

I generally do reach 10k most days as we have a large dog and if I am working in the office I will get off a few bus stops early and go out for a walk at lunch. It generally takes me at least 60-70 mins of walking to get to 10k so I am happy that is a decent level of activity for me.

As someone who walks on average 25,000 steps a day without including running, I would argue it isn't possible for everyone to walk 10,000 steps a day.

A single parent with an office job and a commute by car might only be able to get out on weekends.

Someone with mobility issues might only be able to get out when it's light, not too cold.

I changed my hours last year and took a pay cut just so that I could walk the kids to school every day. That's 4 miles not including the steps I do at work, I could suggest everyone else do the same and if not they are being lazy.

I'm about to go for a 10K run in -4, I could say that if you don't do that you are lazy. Actually I think anyone staying in is probably sensible and I'm stark raving mad but there we go.

It's not a one size fits all. If the gym is better for people then great, if walking is better also fine. I walk, run, weight lift but I detest spinning and swimming but other people get their exercise from spinning and/or swimming.

Its just a samsung fit watch thing, none of them are that accurate you have to use it with intelligence. My point is many people dont use it with intelligence and think they really have done 5 miles of actual walking when they see 10k steps when in fact they've pottered around the office and home.

I'm about to go for a 10K run in -4, I could say that if you don't do that you are lazy. Actually I think anyone staying in is probably sensible and I'm stark raving mad but there we go.

I'm a runner and am itching to get out in this bright, bright winter sun and clomp across the fields. They've been a muddy swamp for weeks, and I'm a road runner usually, but when it's like this I just love it.

Just need to sort out DS2, do the groc shopping etc.

I'm going along the pavements so I'm really hoping they aren't icy, I can't do 10K on a treadmill, I lose the will to live.

Be careful. Where in the country are you? I'm in East Anglia. No snow, but heavy frost and patches of ice where the sun hasn't been.

Slap bang in the middle of the Midlands. We've had no snow, some flooding as always when it rains. Town is ok but I'm going further up into the countryside so will find out soon enough. Fingers crossed!

For me walking is for getting to the gym.
When I'm in the gym I focus on strength training.

I personally can't stand gyms, full of other people and their sweat and germs, they reek!

I've been to the gym this morning.
It wasn't full.
It definitely doesn't reek.
This sounds like someone who doesn't go somewhere, describing what they think something would be like.

I go to an outdoor sportsgroup. Best of both worlds! Exercise, weightlifting and being outside.

Same. I can't wait for the evenings to get lighter so we can go back outdoors.

Have fun.
It's too late for me now as it'll be dark before long. I don't running in the dark, but not across the fields and the idea is to enjoy the sparkly scenes.
Tomorrow it is!

Yes, brisk walk is the best cardio exercise, even better if you have hilly terrain.

Honestly. This made me laugh. When I was working, I was in by 8, left at 6pm. Short commute with more bags of work, then supper, sort family, more work. Shops a mile away down a steep hill.
Not all lives are the same.
I did walk the dog in the holidays but 8 months of the year that much walking, absolutely impossible.

Well it can be but not necessarily. There are benefits to getting out in daylight but there are also benefits to doing more intense cardio, weights, socialising at the gym and using the pool / spa.

Absolutely agree. Couldn’t afford a pay cut though.

This. Recently separated and my gym yoga classes have been a lifeline of female support.

If I went for a walk I'd be on my own. Although I have started taking walks with a couple of female friends in my lunchtime occasionally.

But my classes are always there, I love yoga 🧘‍♀️ it makes me feel amazing, plus I have the social aspects. Then I go for a steam and a cold plunge. Then a shower. It gets me through the dark winter evenings. Otherwise I'd be watching tv on my own.

Or running or cycling or interval training or swimming. The best one is the one you can do and that you enjoy.

It was so icy in the more remote bits, very stop start and I fell over. So cold too and I had well and truly had enough by 8km but I still had another 3 to go before I got to the car.

No lasting damage, just a bruised bum and bruised pride after insisting I wouldn't fall over.

I enjoy both.

walking in the fresh air is lovely.

but I also enjoy the vigorous exercise and endorphin high from an exercise class or swim at the gym

it’s not a competition. All exercise is good.

Oh we just stay outside in the dark in winters. We have lamps with us and use the streetlights…

Hardcore! I'm happy to run in the rain/dark/cold, but less keen on doing weights and core stuff. Love being outdoors though.

Eugh....that doesn't sound fun. I bet that last 3k felt endless.
I hope you're not too bruised.