How to Increase Your Walking Speed

Although walking at any speed has it's benefits the faster you walk the more your body will benefit from it. You don't have to jog or run to get the benefits of cardio if you follow the few simple tips listed below. Depending on your mood or energy level from day to day you may feel like walking faster or slower but your body physically needs a certain amount of exercise to maintain good health and well being. Once you get going 99 percent of the time you will feel better and be glad you pushed yourself. You will also notice that you have more energy throughout the day.

Use a metronome

A metronome is an instrument used to mark time by means of regularly recurring audible ticks and beeps or visual flashes at adjustable intervals. A small hand held or clip-on battery operated instrument is what you will want to use. Using a metronome will insure that you stick to your desired speed. Steadily increase your speed by even the smallest increments to build yourself up to a very fast and challenging speed, or maintain your speed with a metronome.

Good shoes

You will also be more motivated to walk if you have a comfortable pair of shoes. A really nice pair of shoes will walk you but any pair of well cushioned shoes will do. Leather upper shoes are much hotter so unless you are walking during the winter months you should get shoes that are just netting or up top.

Stretch

Remember to stretch, you will avoid injuring yourself and you will be able to gain speed quickly and painlessly.

Eat a banana

It is important to eat something before you walk so that you can walk at your full potential. Eating a banana will give you the fuel you need for a walk and you can eat it just thirty minutes before you walk. Natural fruit juice, a bagel, English muffin or low fat yogurt will also work well. If you want to have a full meal you should wait 2-3 hours for your food to digest before you walk.

With these tips you can have a successful walking program and see results quickly. Look forward to burning 300 or more calories in 45 minutes.