Ok so now it’s the new year and you’re finally ready to get serious about your fitness resolutions. No more excuses. But what’s an exercise newbie (or a lapsed exerciser) to do? Should you start running or walking? Which exercise is better for you? Which will give you the biggest bang for your buck, so to speak?

It would seem at first glance that running would be the better exercise choice. Running burns more calories per minute than walking. In fact, several studies have shown that running can burn up to twice as many calories per minute than walking. So, you’d think running, in all circumstances, must be the better exercise. Not so fast. Speed, duration and exertion all play a part in this equation. In other words, running slowly on flat ground may burn the same amount of calories as power walking up hill. However, even if you are able to even out the calorie burn, used calories should not be the only factor in determining the better exercise. What about injury prevention?


If you haven’t been exercising in awhile, if ever, then running might not be your best exercise option. Running is very much a high-impact exercise. Running includes repetitive pounding, which can cause damage to your knees, hips, ankles and feet. So while high-impact means high calorie expenditure, it can also mean pain, injury and eventual abandonment. Meanwhile walking is easy on your joints with a low probability of inducing pain. Walking is an exercise that for the most part feels good. And if you’re feeling good while doing it, chances are you will do it for longer and more often.

There’s no denying that both running and walking are excellent forms of exercise. They improve your cardiovascular fitness, lower your blood pressure and have been proven to reduce your risk factors for a whole host of illnesses. As far as which one is the better exercise, well, the debate is still out. There are so many variables. You have to decide what your ultimate goals are, what your current fitness level is, and how much effort you are willing to put in. You can always start off walking and eventually transition into running or you can do a combination of both, or commit yourself to doing just one. The best exercise for you is any exercise. Just move.

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