New Exercise Trend: Japanese Walking

We all know that walking is good for us both physically and mentally, but the Japanese believe they have an even better way to boost the positive results of walking.

Why not try the 3-3 walking workout?

Originally introduced in a 2007 study out of Japan, an interval walking exercise routine has been making the rounds on social media this year, praised for its potential to improve physical fitness and combat a variety of age-related conditions. It's designed to give the simple act of walking more powerful results - like Nordic walking, only different.

The Japanese proposition - also known as the 3-3 walking workout - involves walking for 30 minutes, alternating between three minutes of fast-paced walking and three minutes of slower steps. Though the method is simple enough, it delivers myriad benefits. In the original study, participants who followed the Japanese walking routine for five months experienced lower blood pressure, greater leg strength, and overall better physical fitness than a group who only walked at a moderate pace. And another study found that the technique helped boost cognitive function and sleep quality, as well as reduce depression.

As opposed to HIIT workouts - High-Intensity Interval Training - which often require hitting the gym and are too intense for some, Japanese walking offers a quicker, more manageable way to reap similar benefits. “The beauty of walking is that most people know how to do it,” physical therapist Rashelle Hoffman told Time magazine. “There’s not a learning curve, and you don’t really need to have equipment.”

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