Want to get in shape? If you’re not regularly exercising and want to start running, your first steps—literally—should spent be walking. Walking, and running, are two of the least expensive and most convenient ways to get fit, lose weight, reduce stress, and improve your quality of life. And we can help you start walking, get in shape, and stick with it, without getting hurt.
Before you get off the couch, take these steps to get into the habit of regular exercise, and lay a solid foundation for your running life. (Already running or regularly working out? Skip ahead to How to Start Running.)
Get checked. If you’re over 40, or have a family history of heart disease or other health problems, see a doctor before you start a regular exercise program.
Walk, then run. Though some people dismiss “walk†as a four-letter word, it is the most effective way to develop the fitness you need to start running comfortably—without getting hurt. Walking puts your legs and arms through the same general range of motion as running, but without the same impact on your bones and joints. The walk should be brisk—not a race walk, but not a window-shopping walk either, says Steven Blair, professor of exercise science and epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina.
Start small. And build slowly. The idea of "starting an exercise routine," can seem daunting. It doesn't have to be. Begin with a 15-minute walk. Feeling good? The next day, do it again. If you're feeling strong, add five or 10 more minutes. Work up to 35 minutes by the end of the week.