Physical activity improves your mood, decreases stress levels and reduces risk for heart disease, according to MayoClinic.com. Both rollerblading and walking provide these important health benefits. Rollerblading and walking also both promote weight loss. The best of the two for you will depend on your fitness level and weight loss goals.
Fat Burning
Your decision to walk or rollerblade will vary based on your fitness level and workout goals. Generally, if you're just starting out, walking is a better choice. Walking is a moderate activity; however, as your strength builds, rollerblading is a better option for increasing calorie burning. Set fat-burning goals to help you decide which activity is right. A pound of fat contains 3,500 calories, so losing a pound of fat requires you to burn about 500 calories daily. Double your weight loss to 2 lbs. weekly by burning 1,000 daily calories.
Walking
Walking is a moderate activity that promotes weight loss. The amount of calories you burn, however, depends on your body weight and pace. For example, a 160 lb. person burns 183 calories an hour walking at 2 mph, while a person who weighs 200 lbs. burns more calories, about 228 an hour, according to MayoClinic.com. If you walk faster, your calorie burning also increases. For example, a 160 lb. person burns 277 calories walking at 3.5 mph and a 200 lb. person burns 346 calories an hour.
Rollerblading
Rollerblading is a vigorous activity, so you'll burn a higher amount of calories, resulting in faster weight loss. A 160 lb. person will burn about 913 calories an hour rollerblading, according to MayoClinic.com. Like with walking, the more you weigh, the higher amount of calories you burn. So, if you weigh 200 lbs., you'll burn 1,138 calories an hour rollerblading.
Workout Frequency
If you decide to walk, which is a moderate activity, you'll need at least two hours and 30 minutes of cardio activity weekly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, if you decide to rollerblade, which is a vigorous activity, you need one hour and 15 minutes of activity weekly. Discuss appropriate workout intensity for your situation with your medical provider to decide if walking or rollerblading is the best option.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Exercise; 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity
- MayoClinic.com; Exercise for Weight Loss; December 2009
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity; February 2010
- MedlinePlus; Tips for Losing Weight; October 2009
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Physical Activity for Everyone; February 2011
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