Looking for a quick and easy way to get fit? When it comes to cardio training, many people cringe at the thought. Hours spent working on the treadmill, bike, or elliptical trainer don’t seem to appeal to many people. And, this is quite understandable. It gets repetitive, fast, and unless you’re doing speed training, it takes up a huge chunk of your day.

With that said, you need to stop overlooking walking as an option for cardio training. It’s a form of exercise that everyone can do and is sure to help improve your fitness level while helping you maintain a healthy blood sugar and body weight.

The truth is, any type of exercise can help lower your blood sugar and diabetes risk, so if you’re currently sedentary, do something and get moving. Most people find walking to be the easiest and most enjoyable way to add exercise to their lives.

Here are four reasons to consider walking…

1. It is low impact. The first reason to consider walking is because it is very low impact. For those suffering from knee, ankle, or hip pain, running may not be an option. Walking has a much lower impact, so it will be the favorable exercise option here.

However, it is still weight bearing, so it will continue to provide excellent benefits for improving bone health.

2. You can do it anywhere. A second reason to consider walking is because you can do it anywhere. You don’t need any special equipment or a gym location. Simply lace up your shoes and head outdoors. This makes it a perfect option for almost everyone to get involved with.

There are no barriers to entry with this one.

3. Mile for mile, burns the same calories as running. Moving, mile for mile, walking burns the same calories as running. Most people don’t realize this and think that you would burn more calories when you run than when you walk. That is not the case. While running can cause you to burn more per minute since you’re moving faster, if you walk 3 miles or run 3 miles, assuming you’re not running, since that’s a whole different story, you’ll burn about 300 calories.

So as long as you’re willing to put in the time, walking is just as effective for fat loss.

4. It is profitable. Finally, walking is profitable. You need virtually no equipment other than your pair of running shoes, so for the tightest of budgets, it’s a perfect option to get involved with.

There you have four good reasons to start a walking plan. One study found that when women set a “fast” walking pace, they were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to women who described their walking pace as “casual.”

Start your day off right by heading out the door for a brisk walk.