Some thoughts and discussions from me.

 

WHAT'S THE

Not too long ago, maybe even just over a year prior, I used to proclaim that walking is not considered exercise, but rather physical activity that should be done in addition to exercise. I used to consider walking as part of NEPA (non exercise physical activity.)

Of course, this had it’s exclusions. If someone was new to exercise or was extremely resistant to doing cardio, then it could be counted as exercise.

Now, I see things differently. My perspective has softened, and my new perspective sees my past belief as perhaps even a little elitist.

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Don’t get me wrong – even when I viewed ‘walking’ differently, I never poo-pooed it. In fact, I did the opposite! I encouraged (and still do encourage) my clients to get in as much leisure walking as they can throughout the day, and strive for the same in my own regimen.

What’s the difference between exercise and physical activity?

The other day, I posted this question on my Facebook Wall:

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{PS – if you don’t follow me on facebook, you can ‘like’ my page here! I’m not one to post the same thing on all of my social media accounts all the time, so you’ll get different content on here, than you would, say my blog or IG page.}

And while I loved both of them, I did get two similar, but different views from two commenters:

One woman commented that she feels they’re one in the same almost all of the time. The only exception was a few choice exercises that she abhors – in which case, that’s exercise.

The other said that exercise is something she “has to do” while physical activity is something that’s enjoyable, but from which there’s also a health benefit.

I thought both were interesting, but I think that most people consider exercise as something they “should” or “have to” do, while physical activity is fun – and something they ‘get to’ do.

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My Take:

I’m not really sure when my perspective changed, but it’s actually different from both of the opinions above.

Exercise

Now, I consider exercise as something that’s planned. Something that’s part of a (hopefully progressive) program, with at least one goal in mind. It’s a physical activity, but it’s more formal and regimented. Basically, it’s all about the perspective of the person who’s going to be doing it.

That said, walking can totally be ‘exercise,’ if you consider it your workout for that day.

Physical Activity

Physical activity is your daily movement. From making your bed in the morning to preparing your lunch to taking a lunchtime leisure walk. In this case, if you consider your walk just part of your lunch break, and are doing so for fresh air and enjoyment, it wouldn’t be considered exercise.

Some physical activities that I don’t consider exercise for myself (most of the time) include leisure walking/hiking, playing volleyball (although it IS quite a workout!) and skiing. I don’t have a goal while doing these activities, but rather my only aim is to have fun and enjoy myself (and erm, beat the other team if playing volleyball ;))

*edited to add: I’m sure there will be a time when I do consider walking to be my workout, and there has been in the past. When I ran myself into the ground with too much exercise back in 2010, I backed off all cardio, and just walked every day. I got out for my daily walk, and while I didn’t consider it a workout then, I do now. Additionally, anyone who’s either coming off an injury or is injured also likely considers walking their workout!

One way to put it is that all exercise is physical activity, but not all physical activity is necessarily exercise. Or, it’s all in perspective.

I would love to hear your take on the topic!

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What’s your opinion? What’s the difference between physical activity and exercise?