How Many Calories Does Walking Burn? Fitness Experts Explain

Introduction

Walking is a great form of exercise that can help you burn calories and improve your overall fitness. Whether you’re strolling through the park or power walking on the treadmill, walking can be an effective way to shed those extra pounds.

Factors that affect calorie burn

The number of calories you burn while walking depends on several factors:

• Your body weight: Heavier individuals tend to burn more calories while walking compared to lighter individuals.
• Walking speed: Walking at a faster pace will burn more calories than walking at a slower pace.
• Terrain: Walking uphill or on uneven surfaces requires more effort and can burn more calories.

Calculating calorie burn

Here’s a basic formula to estimate the number of calories burned while walking:

Calories burned per minute = 0.035 x body weight (in kg) x walking speed (in m/min)

Examples

Let’s look at a few examples to understand how many calories walking can burn:

• A 150-pound (68 kg) individual walking at a pace of 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/h) can burn approximately 228 calories per hour.
• A 180-pound (82 kg) individual walking at a pace of 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h) can burn approximately 332 calories per hour.
• A 200-pound (91 kg) individual walking uphill at a pace of 2.5 miles per hour (4 km/h) can burn approximately 364 calories per hour.

Benefits of walking

In addition to burning calories, walking offers numerous health benefits. Some of the benefits of walking include:

• Improved cardiovascular health
• Weight management
• Reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer
• Improved mood and mental well-being
• Increased bone density and muscle strength

Conclusion

Walking is a simple and accessible exercise that can help you burn calories and improve your overall fitness. Whether you’re walking for weight loss or to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it’s important to find a pace and duration that works for you. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have any pre-existing conditions or concerns.