Exercise doesn’t have to be complicated—this walking workout takes only 15 minutes and will help improve your heart health

“Your heart is a muscle, and just like any other muscle, it gets weaker if you don’t use it,” says Denise Chakoian, a certified trainer and the owner of Core Cycle and Fitness LaGree.

Is Walking Enough To Stay Strong & Fit After 50?

“As we age, muscles naturally shrink unless they are challenged with resistance. Walking mainly works the legs at a low intensity, so it doesn’t build much strength in the upper body or core,” says Denise Chakoian, Rhode Island certified fitness trainer and owner of Core Cycle and Fitness La Gree. “To hold on to muscle, it helps to add in squats, pushups, or lifting weights to your routine. Walking can still play a big role by improving endurance and keeping the joints flexible.”

How to Stay Toned While Traveling Labor Day , According to Certified Fitness Trainer Denise Chakoian

Summer travel is in full swing, and between the airport lines, delayed flights, and packed itineraries, keeping up a fitness routine often falls to the bottom of the list. Whether you’re staying in a hotel, crashing at a friend’s house, or renting a weekend Airbnb, the idea of staying in shape on the road can feel unrealistic.

But according to seasoned certified fitness trainer, Denise Chakoian founder of CORE Cycle.Fitness.Lagree in Rhode Island, it doesn’t have to. With 30 years of experience training clients of all levels, Chakoian believes the key to staying consistent is keeping it simple, smart, and doable in any space. “Most people overthink it,” she says. “You don’t need a full gym. You need a floor, a chair, maybe a towel, and the willingness to move with intention.”

Episode 162: Interview With Denise Chakoian Owner of The Core Studio

For nearly three decades, Denise Chakoian has been a fixture in Rhode Island’s fitness scene—first as a competitive dancer, then as an instructor, and ultimately as the founder of CORE Cycle and Fitness LaGree, the first studio in the state to introduce the high-intensity, low-impact Lagree Method. Her journey blends business savvy, personal resilience, and a deep commitment to helping others thrive.