The health and fitness industry is absolutely massive. It’s a multi-million dollar – quite possibly multi-billion dollar – business. There are any number of wonder drugs and miracle health supplements available on the market – usually at quite high prices. Since many people equate exercise and fitness with weight loss, there’s no shortage of slimming and diet pills either.
More conventional options – like a visit to the gym for example – can also be expensive. Gym membership fees need to be paid every month – and they can be very high. Some people will prefer to get their exercise at home – but even then, exercise equipment such as stationary bicycles, rowing machines, treadmills and cross trainers aren’t cheap – and they also take up quite a bit of room.
Those who don’t have the room – or the notion – for dedicated exercise equipment in their home are still well catered for. There’s an absolute plethora of fitness DVDs available – endorsed by TV fitness trainers or celebrities. One of the most recent innovations in home fitness has been the Nintendo Wii – or more specifically, the Wii Fit program for the Nintendo Wii. It’s proven to be very popular. People seem to relish the prospect of being able to exercise in the familiar surroundings of their own living room whilst using the Wii as a computerised personal trainer to record their progress and help them to set targets.
As well as the gym memberships, the DVDs, the exercise equipment – and even the games consoles – a lot of money is spent on apparel and accessories. Fitness shoes, baseball caps, sweat bands, jogging pants – they all cost money. It’s important to look good while you’re getting in shape. With the right brand name on it lycra can cost more per square foot than silk.
However, there is one way to exercise and get in shape which costs very little and which can deliver very significant health benefits. Walking is a great way to take exercise which can help you to lose weight, look better, feel better and deliver a whole host of additional health benefits. Walking can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke as well as helping to lower your blood pressure level. It will give you more energy and help you to sleep better. It can combat anxiety and depression. It can even reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
It’s a long list of benefits for an exercise mode which is practically free, needs no special equipment and which can be fitted into your daily schedule as and when it suits you best. There’s no need to find the time for a trip to the gym – and no fees to pay either. All that you will need is a pair of comfortable shoes and you’re all set. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you see results if you make walking a regular part of your daily routine.
Have a look at the huge selection of styles on offer from Fitflops – sandals, boots, clogs and slippers.