What do doctors say is the smartest way to walk for exercise?

Author: Dr. Kennedy Connelly  |  Last update: Friday, January 9, 2026

Doctors recommend paying attention to all body parts needed for walking, even ones you might not think of. “Start with your feet together and stand up straight, relax your shoulders, keep your pelvis neutral, and engage your core, because those muscles help you maintain that proper posture when walking,” says Dr.

How do doctors say this is the best way to walk for exercise?

Ideally, here's how you'll look when you're walking: Your head is up. You're looking forward, not at the ground. Your neck, shoulders and back are relaxed, not stiffly upright.

What is the smartest way to walk for exercise?

Shoulders back, down, and relaxed.

Roll your shoulders up, back, and then down. This is where your shoulders should be as you walk—not pulled up toward your ears. Think about keeping your shoulders away from your ears to reduce upper-body tension and allow for a freer arm swing.

What is the best way to walk for exercise?

Keep your footsteps light, rolling from heel to toe to avoid a hard, flat-footed landing, says Dr. John Hinson, an orthopedic surgeon at Palm Beach Orthopedic Institute in Florida. “Avoid overstriding—reaching your leg out too far in front of you—which causes more impact on your joints and can lead to injury.”

What is the 6 mile walk test?

The 6MWT involves walking for 6 minutes to measure a person's exercise capacity. It is a useful and safe test that can help a doctor evaluate a person's general health and the effectiveness of current treatments. A doctor may suggest the test for people with heart or lung conditions.

Amazing Benefits of WALKING You Never Knew About

What is the secret trick for walking for exercise?

Build activity slowly – start with a 20 minute walk then increase gradually. Try to walk at least three times per week. Use the correct technique – walk at a steady pace, swing your arms freely and stand as straight as you can. Your feet should step in a rolling action from the heel to the toe.

Which walk is best for belly fat?

To help increase calorie burn , a person should walk uphill regularly. For some, this may mean increasing the treadmill gradient, while others may want to incorporate more hills into their outdoor walking routine. A person should aim to walk up hills, stairs, or inclines two to three times a week.

Is 30 minutes of walking a day enough exercise?

Walking for 30 minutes a day or more on most days of the week is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. If you can't manage 30 minutes a day, remember even short walks more frequently can be beneficial. Walking with others can turn exercise into an enjoyable social occasion.

How to stop hunching as you walk?

Breaking the Habit
  1. Posture Awareness: The first step in addressing hunched posture is awareness. ...
  2. Strengthening Exercises: Incorporate exercises that target the core, upper back, and neck muscles into your routine. ...
  3. Ergonomic Adjustments: Evaluate your workspace and make necessary adjustments to promote good posture.

What is better than walking for exercise?

Running burns more than twice as many calories per minute as walking. For a person who weighs 160 pounds, walking at a pace of 3.5 miles per hour for 30 minutes burns about 156 calories. Running at 6 mph for the same time burns about 356 calories. Low impact vs.

What happens if you walk 30 minutes a day for a month?

Walking for 30 minutes daily has many physical and mental benefits, such as improved heart health, decreased risk of chronic diseases, and better mood. You can walk almost anywhere, and it doesn't require any equipment (other than a pair of supportive shoes).

What is a good distance to walk for exercise?

The average American walks 3,000 to 4,000 steps a day, or roughly 1.5 to 2 miles. It's a good idea to find out how many steps a day you walk now, as your own baseline. Then you can work up toward the goal of 10,000 steps by aiming to add 1,000 extra steps a day every two weeks.

What is the flat tummy walk?

abdominal muscles, leading to a flatter stomach. This type of exercise typically involves engaging the core muscles and walking at a brisk pace. It can be done indoors or outdoors and doesn't require any equipment. It is also called a “power walk” or “brisk walk”.

Has anyone lost weight walking 10,000 steps a day?

After a family trip made me realise how much my weight was holding me back, I started following a low-carb diet, weighing my food with a scale, and walking at least 10,000 steps a day. I've now lost 80 pounds (5 stone and 10lbs, or 36kg) in under 11 months. I have been overweight most of my life.

Will walking get rid of a saggy belly?

While walking, itself, is not going to promote the loss of abdominal fat, it could absolutely be part of the equation; one that also needs to include a calorie-controlled diet and strength training.”

Can you stay in shape by just walking?

Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.

How do you burn the most fat when walking?

Add Distance and Time. Make your walk longer to keep your body working harder. Keep your pace brisk. Walking for additional minutes will burn additional stored fat.

Is walking on an empty stomach good?

Along with Vitamin D, morning walks on an empty stomach can support overall wellness, improve metabolism, enhance mood, and promote better sleep quality. Vitamin D can be obtained through dietary sources such as fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), egg yolks, fortified dairy products, and supplements if required.

What is the Harvard step test?

The Harvard Step Test is used to measure a clients aerobic fitness, being a predictive test of their VO2max. It tests the cardiovascular system and reflects the general capacity of body to cope with increased physical work load and ability to recover from it.

How much do I need to walk to lose weight?

"Generally, 1 mile—or roughly 2,000 steps—walked equates to [burning] 80 to 100 calories." Since there are 3,500 calories in 1 pound, "this means to lose 1 pound, you'll need to walk roughly 35 miles or 70,000 steps. Over the course of a week, this means targeting 10,000 steps a day," says Davis.

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