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Walking vs. Running Benefits: Should You Walk or Run for Exercise?

Researchers are diving deep into the benefits of walking vs. running, and the verdict is in. Walking is good for you, but running might be twice as beneficial. Here's why.

Credit: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

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This article was originally published on March 22, 2021.

Spring is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere, and many people are looking for ways to stretch their legs, get out of the house, and maybe even burn some calories while they’re at it. We all know that regular exercise offers many physical and cognitive benefits, and more recently we’ve learned that walking might be one of the best exercises for health. But what about running? Is it like walking, only better? Is it better to walk or run?

Plenty of studies have delved into the benefits of walking. There’s sound evidence that walking is good for mental health, particularly for combating symptoms of depression. A 2019 study in Environment International found that living near water is supposedly good for your health — and it’s because people in coastal areas are more likely to be physically active, especially walking. Getting your ...

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