Birmingham GP Prescribes Walking This Bank Holiday to Kick-Start Fitness Goals

With National Walking Month now in full swing, and the May Bank Holiday soon upon us where many have more time to exercise, a Birmingham GP claims that now’s the perfect time to start a gentle walking fitness regime, whatever your age.

Engaging in activities that elevate your heart rate for at least 20 minutes each day can boost your fitness levels, and walking serves as an ideal zero-cost option to enhance cardiovascular health along with working out multiple muscle groups.

Dr Layla Eagles, a general practitioner at Wellsoon Private Healthcare provided by the Practice Plus Group Hospital in Birmingham, comments: "Participating in National Walking Month during May can serve as an excellent foundation for improving your fitness level without feeling overwhelmed compared to running. Additionally, frequently enjoying the outdoors contributes positively to one’s mental health."

I often have patients who wish to resume walking following joint surgery, or those with joint problems seeking a mild activity to begin with; therefore, if they are generally healthy, I recommend regular walks.

The spring marathon season can be quite motivating, and with the pleasant weather we've had recently, many individuals might feel inclined to start jogging. Nonetheless, it's crucial not to push too hard, especially if you're new to running, since this activity can put significant strain on your joints. It's advisable to gradually increase your stamina before diving into such intense activities!

“ Strolling, especially on a treadmill, puts less strain on your joints compared to jogging, yet you can still achieve similar levels of difficulty as when sprinting. This activity also encourages pacing oneself and paying attention to posture, which helps minimize the chance of getting injured.

For individuals looking for an extra challenge beyond simply monitoring their daily step count, Dr Eagles recommends tackling incline walking once they begin feeling more fit. She says: “ Walking uphill specifically activates distinct muscle sets as opposed to strolling across level ground. Usually, when you stroll on even terrain, the primary focus is on exercising your quads—the large muscles at the forefront of your thighs. Conversely, ascending inclines places greater emphasis on engaging your core along with what’s known as the posterior chain—muscles such as those found in your hamstrings and buttocks. Additionally, this type of exercise puts extra demand on the muscles within your calves, thereby involving a broader array of muscle groups more intensively over the same duration. This makes inclined walking particularly effective for enhancing comprehensive physical fitness levels relative to walking on flat surfaces.

Boosting the tempo and intensity of your walking sessions as you start feeling more fit can enhance your stamina, according to Dr Eagles. He elaborates: "As you develop greater endurance gradually, you'll manage to maintain a heightened level of exertion for extended durations. Such interval-style workouts are particularly beneficial for individuals contemplating starting a jogging routine yet remain relatively inactive at present, or those for whom running might aggravate pre-existing injuries or joint problems."

Patient story: Gerald can now relish his routine strolls following his hip operation.

Gerald Goddard, aged 82, is ecstatic about his recent hip operation because it allows him to resume his daily walking routine. He comments: "For more than four months prior to my hip surgery at the Practice Plus Group Hospital in Birmingham, I was unable to venture outside for my usual strolls—or even go shopping—because of severe hip pain. My wife and I enjoy hiking around four or five miles each day, but the hip pain quickly brought an end to our outings."

After undergoing surgery, I can now anticipate participating in my favorite activities and taking routine walks once more. Regardless of the conditions, we enjoy walking, and I am slowly increasing my step count. Nothing will deter me.

Dr. Eagles provides quick access to 30-minute consultations through Wellsoon private healthcare at the Practice Plus Group Hospital in Birmingham’s Edgbaston area. To schedule an appointment and address any health concerns such as fitness issues or joint pain, call 0330 173 8784.