He who limps is still walking.
THOMAS JEFFERSON
I would love to say that fitness walking is 100% upside, but that is not true. From my own experience and those of people on the reddit walking forum, I can tell you that walking for fitness does have its downsides. Here is a list of those downsides.
1. Weather
Bad weather is the number one complaint of walkers. It is either too hot or too cold. It is rainy or snowing. Then, you have to worry about lightning. I do not recommend walking in thunderstorms.
The antidote to bad weather is better clothing picks. I recommend getting a poncho for the rain and a collection of hats for everything else. The final solution is walking indoors.
2. Injury
Walking has a lower chance of injury than running, but it isn't zero. My current walking injury is worse than any running injury that I ever had. From the forum, I find most walking injuries come from doing too much too soon. It is also important to walk with good form and good shoes. The best way to go is slow and easy.
3. The cost of shoes
Walking shoes are not cheap, and it is recommended they be replaced every 300 to 500 miles. For me, this is approximately every 3 months. I have learned to get a moderately priced shoe instead of an expensive shoe knowing I will burn through that pair in a few months. Do not be tempted to exceed the mileage on your shoes. You will get hurt. That is how I got hurt. Shoes are expensive because they are worth it.
4. Wild animals
A couple of years ago, a woman was walking home when some pit bull dogs attacked her and maimed her severely leading to the loss of both of her arms. My mother-in-law got attacked by a dog on her walk around the neighborhood. Then, there is the man who got attacked by a coyote and choked it out. The news has stories every day about these sorts of encounters. I recommend carrying pepper spray, a stick, and a knife for these potential encounters.
5. The criminal element
This occupies the mind of most women walkers. Men generally consider themselves high hanging fruit for criminals while women are the low hanging fruit. Those things you carry for animal protection works good for the two legged critters, too. For women, I would recommend using the buddy system where you walk with someone else. Otherwise, walk your backyard or your indoor treadmill.
6. Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are a fact of life during the warmer months. I recommend wearing Avon's SSS sunscreen. It protects against sunburn and bloodsuckers.
7. Time
It takes longer to get fit from walking than from running. This is why Type A personalities opt to become runners. Later, they opt to become walkers when the pounding becomes too much for their aging bodies.
8. Cars and cyclists
Most drivers are idiots. People on bicycles are just as dangerous. I recommend wearing a high visibility vest, ditching the earbuds, and putting down your phone. Put your head on a swivel. Even then, you can still get hit.
9. Getting lost
This seems to afflict people who go walking in state and national parks. I carry a compass with me, my cellphone, and some sort of map even if it is just a cellphone picture of the map at the trail head. Don't ever think you can't get lost because you can. Prepare for this.
10. Comparison
Sooner or later, you are going to encounter a superfit runner, cyclist, or triathlete and experience a crisis of confidence about walking. Does walking cut it as a fitness activity? You just need to ignore those people. If someone brags about getting a finisher's medal at the marathon, congratulate them. If they tempt you to join them, tell them you are not at that level. It takes humility to be a fitness walker. Swallow your pride, eschew the failed runner syndrome, and just enjoy the stroll.
Conclusion
Some of these things may have convinced you to eschew walking as a fitness activity. I am a fan of the recumbent stationary bike as an alternative. I don't own one, but I would use one if I did. Otherwise, I walk on the track in my backyard to protect myself against these downsides.
