More than "just" walking??

[Bazza1234]

I am a runner - a fairly fit runner - but also one who has not run for 3 months because of a fractured metatarsal bone in my right foot. It seems to be taking an unusually long time to heal and my Doctor has told me that it may "never" heal fully ( combination of location of the fracture and my age) . I have been doing good cardio workouts in the gym - getting my heart rate up to 80-85% of my maximum HR , but I do miss getting out into the open. Normal walking does not get my heart rate up high enough so am wondering what I can do to get a more vigorous workout while I walk. I have been looking at Nordic Walking using poles - apparently this gets your HR going as it uses upper body muscles. Any thoughts please?? I don't think the answer lies in just walking faster - my fastest walk now barely makes me sweat and certainly doesn't get my lungs working hard. Hills would obviously be good - but not all that many hills where I live.

[tortoisegirl]

I have had a go at interval walking, along the lines of fartlek, where I walk as fast as I can without actually running during the interval, elbows pumping etc. That might make you sweat a little.

[Realfoodieclub]

Nordic walking is good for muscle tone maybe not that good for speed to start off its as it is very important to get the form right. The first time I started I didn't do it properly and ended up with a bad shoulder. Have you looked at race walking, which is different to speed walking as you can get higher speeds. it is very technical but I could see that suiting you and there is a lot of speed to be had to Increase the heart rate.

youtu.be/yhExj5PWcNE(Not working as expected?)

[Curlygurly2 in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I bet that's faster than my running.

[Hidden]

I go for a power walk and it always gets my heart rate up. I have just had a look at the race walking video below that Realfoodieclub below has posted and that it certainly a very good way to get your heart rate up.

I am normally a power walker and cyclist but I went out for a jog twice last week and damaged my knee, luckily it's now healing. I did go to the doctors and it was slightly swollen and he said to exercise it by swimming, cycling and to try not to weight bear on it. He also said to stretch the knee, I was so glad that I didn't have to rest as that would have driven me mad. I will never, every run again as I do not want to risk hurting myself and then to end up with a situation where I can't exercise.

Hope you recover very soon.

[runswithdogs]

Poles or vigorous arm swings can increase your heart rate. If your foot can take the walking motion, we have some incredible speed walkers at our races.