The Benefits of Walking 30 Minutes Per Day

Walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance.

If you're walking for your health or fitness and keeping a moderate pace, you should try to walk for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. Can't manage that with your schedule? "You can break that up into shorter walks across the day and get the same benefits," she says.

In a new study, which looks at activity tracker data from 78,500 people, walking at a brisk pace for about 30 minutes a day led to a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, dementia and death, compared with walking a similar number of steps but at a slower pace. 

What happens when you start walking every day?

Something as simple as a daily brisk walk can help you live a healthier life. For example, regular brisk walking can help you: Maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat. Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes.

Benefits of Walking

• Maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat.
• Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
• Improve cardiovascular fitness.
• Strengthen your bones and muscles.
• Improve muscle endurance

You might not even think of walking around as exercise, but make no mistake: Walking boasts serious benefits, including lowered stress and stronger joints. It doesn't have to be a huge time commitment, either, since just walking 30 minutes a day can lead to improvements in your mental and physical health. Plus, walking is one of the most beginner-friendly forms of exercise, and it doesn't require equipment or a gym membership.