Walking Is Good, But Is It Enough Exercise After 60?

Walking is one of the best forms of everyday activity after 60, but it does not train every physical ability equally. If your goal is to maintain strength, balance and independence, walking is usually most useful as one part of a broader programme.

What walking does well

Walking supports cardiovascular fitness, endurance, mobility and general activity. It can also help maintain confidence with community movement.

What walking may not challenge enough

Flat, comfortable walking may not provide enough resistance to substantially strengthen the legs, and it may not challenge balance in the same way as stepping, turning or narrower-stance exercises.

Add strength training

Sit-to-stands, squats, calf raises and step-ups can train the muscles needed for chairs, stairs and walking.

Add balance and stepping

Supported balance, turning and stepping tasks train control in situations that ordinary straight-line walking may not.

Keep walking

The message is not to replace walking. Keep it as part of your routine, then add specific strength and balance work to cover the areas walking does not train as strongly.

A group can combine these elements

The weekly Strength & Balance Group in Joydens Wood combines practical lower-limb strength, balance and mobility exercises for adults with different starting abilities.