Some thoughts and discussions from me.
What’s the Difference Between Exercise and Physical Activity?
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.
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:
{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.
[Tweet “What do you think’s the difference bw exercise + physical activity? via @TrainerPaige”]
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!
[Tweet “The Difference Between Exercise & Physical Activity – via @TrainerPaige #fitfluential”]
What’s your opinion? What’s the difference between physical activity and exercise?
I never really thought about the difference between the two.
There’s a beautiful walk near me that follows the river. I like to walk there to clear my head and give myself time to think about things. Plus I get to take in the beautiful wildflowers and mountains in the distance. While I definitely don’t consider those walks exercise, they do all kinds of good things for my mental health.
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona recently posted…Weekly Workouts
It really kind of is different. I love to walk and find it very relaxing. However, I would never consider my walks to be my workout or exercise for the day.
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…Tag, You Are It
Agreed 🙂 but I’d guess that there could be a time in the future when I do consider walking my workout. Who knows what could happen (stress, injury, health, etc.) but I wouldn’t count it out completely
Walking is a workout for me a lot of the time. I just don’t maintain an exercise program that includes a ton of high impact work, but walking always gets me motivated. A walk to the store or around the block with the dog isn’t a workout for me, but if I aim to raise my heart rate and get a workout in through walking I consider it as such.
Kacy recently posted…Colorful & Curious Vila Madalena
Yep – this exactly! Go out for a walk with the intention of it being a workout…and it’s exercise 🙂
Yes! I make a similar distinction in my head between engaging in “exercise” and doing a “workout.” For me, a workout has a specific goal and is structured. It’s activity that can be measured and quantified, and it’s very purposeful. Not only is the individual workout structured, but it’s part of a larger arrangement of workouts–a training plan–that has its own ultimate goal. This second part is crucial to my definition. Someone could be doing–and even doing consistently– trainer designed/approved workouts that are very hard, but if that person is doing them haphazardly, what they’re doing still amounts to exercise to me. It could be very hard exercise, to be sure, but it’s not really that beneficial, other than increasing overall generic fitness. As you write and encourage, however, I definitely think that both exercise and workouts have their places.
So then, my axiom on the matter, borrowing from your pattern, would be that all workouts are exercise, but not all exercise counts as a workout.
Walks “count” as workouts in my hierarchy when they have added stress. For example, sometimes I take my kettlebell on a walk and do farmer’s carries, etc. But then some might argue it’s no longer really a walk–I don’t know. Anyway, I love your blog and keep content like this coming!
I definitely think walking can be exercise. It depends how much you’re putting into it. For a long time, I did power walks and was walking 12-13 minute miles. That’s close to a moderate run. If you’re just strolling along, then it’s an activity.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…Strawberry Mango Tango Smoothie
agree that it depends. Walking the few blocks to work? No, I wouldn’t count that as my workout. Walking at a brisk pace on a route that include large hills like I did today? Yep, it’s counting because, for today, that is all I can do (my back’s a bit messed up). Tomorrow it may not count, but like you said, its all in perspective. Not all ‘workouts’ need to be balls-to-the-wall. Like you, I learned that the hard way. Walk on! 😀
Super interesting! I think your definition of exercise and physical activity almost perfectly fit the American College of Sports Medicine’s definition of the two terms: exercise is planned and seeks a goal, while physical activity is just any form of movement you do throughout your day for longer periods of time (walking, gardening, housework, etc.). And I agree!
I’m actually at a phase that was similar to the one you had in 2010 when you had to back off from cardio, so walking, yoga, and pilates definitely count as my exercise now!
Alison – is ACSM your certification? I’m ACE certified, but am toying with getting either the ACSM or NASM cert, too.
O Wheyy Protein, splemento alimentar, tem um cima nível de BCAA.
glutamina recently posted…glutamina