Everyday Health reports on reasons why walking is good for your health according to experts including James N. Robinson, MD, sports medicine physician at HSS.

“Walking affects multiple systems in the body, and so it offers a lot of great benefits,” noted Dr. Robinson. When walking, Dr. Robinson suggested a pace that gets their heart rate up a bit. Being slightly breathless but not completely out of breath; use the “talk test” as described above. “That’s a good monitor that the walking you’re doing will improve your cardiovascular fitness,” said Dr. Robinson.

Dr. Robinson recommended aiming for 150 minutes of this type of walking per week, spanning multiple days. This is in line with the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week for adults (or about 30 minutes, five days a week). 

Walking is a weight-bearing exercise, so it may help to preserve bone health and potentially decrease osteoporosis risk, said Dr. Robinson. What’s more, walking also improves core strength, increasing stabilization and balance to help prevent falls as you age, he added.

For the biggest benefits to the bones, Dr. Robinson advised combining walking with a strength-training program.

Read the full article at Everydayhealth.com.