Looking for a low-impact exercise that doesn’t take up a lot of space, no fancy equipment required and can be done almost anywhere? Walking or marching in place is a great way to meet your step goals while burning calories and staying active throughout the day. If staying in the same place seems boring, remember you don’t need to do it for long periods of time to get results. Even simple breaks of 5 minutes several times a day will add up and offset the harmful effects of prolonged sitting.
Maximize the benefits of marching in place with these tips:
- Stand tall with your back straight
- Keep abs engaged
- Relax shoulders with arms at your sides and elbows bent 90 degrees.
- Breathe deeply as you march in place while simultaneously pumping your arms at your sides.
- Increase the intensity of this exercise by marching faster and lifting knees higher.
- Decrease the intensity by slowing down, taking smaller steps and decreasing the arm movement.
Anytime you’ve been sitting for a prolonged amount of time, take a break to rise up and march.
“My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She’s ninety-seven now, and we don’t know where the heck she is.” Ellen DeGeneres