The Low-Impact Benefits of a March-in-Place Workout

So, how many steps have you tallied today?

Since the advent of the fitness tracker and the Apple watch, society has been keeping tabs on all of its fancy footwork whenever out and about. And there’s good reason: walking – anywhere, even in place – is a great way to burn calories and contribute to your weight loss goals.

As a matter of fact, the march-in-place workout is a new rage. And if you haven’t heard about it yet, that’s probably because its biggest supporters are too busy picking up and putting down their feet to a catchy beat (or even just silence – your choice entirely).

Marching in place is what’s known as a “low-impact exercise.” This means it’s an effective physical activity that complements your weekly regimen without being too hard on your joints, allowing your body to take a breather so you don’t risk injury.

It also provides the following fitness benefits:

• It provides a starting point: Your march-in-place workout offers a phenomenal baseline from which your personal trainer can gauge your abilities and customize an exercise program that incorporates full-body movements to match.
• It’s a calorie burner: March-in-place workouts are particularly effective for those who are battling obesity. It offers a great cardio alternative – raising your heart rate without putting excess stress on the body.
• It improves balance: The act of marching can help to improve your body’s stability, which is particularly beneficial for aging seniors. The very motion fosters a fundamental component of body movement known as dynamic balance control – or the ability to maintain stability while in motion. Every time you march in place, your body is undergoing a series of balance tests, and frequency helps to improve your body’s ability to maintain this important function.
• It can be accomplished almost anywhere: At home, in the breakroom, in line at the grocery store, or the private fitness studio with your personal trainer – a march-in-place workout can be achieved anywhere in the world. Better yet, just 5-10 minutes can give you a cardiovascular boost. Set an overarching goal of 7,500 to 10,000 steps a day and see just how far you can get without even moving anywhere.

Of course, a march-in-place workout is only truly helpful when integrated with a routine exercise regimen. The certified trainers at Fitness Together Ellicott City can help you take the next steps toward a stronger body and a healthier lifestyle.