Running or walking: What is better for weight loss?

If you’re thinking about losing weight, running is a great calorie burner. But is running really that much better than walking? Both activities have their own benefits and can be effective in your weight loss quest. In this blog, Rémon Koetje, Lifestyle coach and trainer at Happy Bodies, explores the benefits of both running and walking so you can decide which activity best suits your lifestyle and goals.

The Benefits of Running: Burn Calories Fast

Running is known as a fast calorie burning activity. It is an intense form of exercise that increases your heart rate and boosts your metabolism. Depending on your weight and running pace, you can burn an average of 600-800 calories per hour. If you are looking for a quick way to burn a significant number of calories and improve your cardiovascular health, running is an excellent choice.

The Peace of Walking: Low Impact, Sustainable Weight Loss

One disadvantage of running: the impact on your joints, especially your knees, is great. Walking is less stressful on your body and therefore better suited for people with joint problems or people who are just starting to exercise. It offers a steady, less intense form of exercise that you can continue for a long time without risk of injury, which makes it ideal for sustainable weight loss and gradually building up fitness.

Calorie Burning Comparison

Although running burns more calories per minute than walking, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best option for everyone. Walking is a much longer endurance exercise, meaning your total calorie burn over a longer period of time can be higher, especially if you take long walks regularly.

The Psychological Effects: What's Right for You?

The choice between running and walking can also depend on your own preferences. Some people enjoy the fast intensity of running and are looking for a quick way to relieve stress. Others prefer the calm, meditative state of long walks that helps you relax and organize your thoughts.

Integration into your daily life

Are you having trouble making a choice? Take a good look at your daily schedule and consider whether and how these activities fit into it. Perhaps you find it easier to walk for an hour every day than to run a few times a week. The best choice is the activity that you can do consistently and that you can maintain in the long term. Because – as I wrote before – everything works, but do you cooperate?

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