Those who use public transport meet their 30-minutes of daily exercise, say researchers at the University of British Columbia. iTALK finds out if your daily commute can replace gym workouts
Those who use public transport meet their 30-minutes of daily exercise, say researchers at the University of British Columbia. iTALK finds out if your daily commute can replace gym workouts Who needs to go to the gym when I get all the exercise I need by commuting? Battling crowds, climbing stairs, changing trains is quite a workout
What if we told you that you can save a couple of thousands every month, not to mention stay super fit without indulging in any quirky workout at a fancy gymnasium? If a study published in the Journal of Public Health Policy is to be believed, you can save your annual gym membership and not have to fight early morning laziness to make it to the treadmill, if you use public transport.
u00a0
Such individuals are three times more likely than those who don't, to meet the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada's suggested daily minimum of physical activity.
They claim that transit trips by bus and train often involve walking to and from stops, making you more likely to meet the recommended 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day, five days a week.
The idea of treading to the gym every day for your daily dose of exercise is a misconception, say the researchers. "These short walks throughout the day are how we traditionally got our dose of physical activity.
u00a0
Unfortunately, we have engineered this activity out of our daily lives."
Fitness trainer agrees
Ivan Saban, Fitness Instructor at The Resort, at Madh-Marve, Malad says the research makes logical sense, since public commute in a chaotic urban city requires you to beat rush hour traffic, and fight crowds. You end up sweating, and burning calories.
But it cannot replace a gym workout, he clarifies.
Here's why:
>>A regular gym workout is carried out in an environment where your mind and body are relaxed.
>>The purpose of a weight loss programme is to target different areas of your body, so that you end up losing inches in the right places. While commuting can help you lose calories, there is no way to ensure that the loss of calories is uniform.
>>Weight training is crucial to tone muscles, and this is an area where taking a local train and braving crowds won't help. Toning your, body cannot be achieved.
Helps shed calories, but might up BP, cholesterol
Dr Paula Goel Director of Fayth Heart and Teen Care Private Limited, a lifestyle clinic
In recent years there has been a rise in the young (some as young as 20) falling prey to lifestyle diseases like diabetes and obesity. Most individuals who are overweight follow unhealthy eating habits, and lead sedentary lives. While commuting by public transport cannot replace regular workouts, it's a good option for those who don't indulge in any exercise. But it can get stressful, and increase risk of high blood pressure and
cholesterol levels.
Celeb talk: Would you take a local rather than gym every morning?
Nina Manuel, Model and TV anchor
No way, I cannot take the local as it gets way too crowded during peak hours, and I don't want to be pushed and shoved around.
Sunil Padwal, Artist
I would not take a local as it's very, disorganised, and I could do without the stress of worrying whether I will make it on time to work.
Cardio, aerobic exercises are good for your heart
Cardio, short for cardiovascular, refers to the heart. This form of exercise raises your heart rate and keeps it
elevated for a period of time. It's also referred to as aerobic exercise. Jogging and fast walking are the most
common forms of aerobic exercise.
What you gain if you indulge in cardio:
>>Strengthens your heart
>>Increases lung capacity
>>Boosts metabolism, burns calories, helps you lose weight
>>Helps reduce stress levels
>>Ups energy
Case study
Siddharth Parwatay, 22, Works as: Writer with tech magazine
Daily commute: Siddharth starts the day by taking a cab from his residence at Grant Road to Sandhurst Road station a 15-minute drive. He takes a local train to Sanpada station, 45 minutes away. His office is a 10-minute walk from Sanpada station. He traces the route back every evening on his way home.
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
