How long does it take to walk 1 miles

If you're wondering how long it takes to walk a mile, you're probably in the business of trying to up your daily steps. And for that we applaud you. Getting some LISS (low-intensity steady state) exercise in on the reg is important, for so many reasons. From increased mental clarity to healthy weight management and keeping your body active throughout the day, you're set to reap a whole heap of gold stars for getting out there and getting your mile of walking done.

We've rounded up everything you need to know about walking a mile – from how long it takes to the benefits of walking more regularly. Read on!

What type of exercise is walking a mile?

Walking a mile falls into the low-intensity steady-state category of movement. This type of exercise is similar to things like a steady swim or meandering cycle (hopefully with a healthy snack at the end, eh?). It's a brilliant form of exercise that doesn't stress your joints, requires zero home gym equipment and can easily be made free or at least cheap.

In fact, research from the University of Bath found that LISS can be just as effective as HIIT (high-intensity interval training) when it comes to losing body fat – you just need to factor in extra time to complete the longer, slower activities.

6 benefits of walking a mile regularly

Walking regularly can help with any number of physical and mental concerns, from head to heart and hormonal response.

Regular walking can:

  1. Improve your response to insulin which can help to get rid of belly fat and lose body fat.
  2. Increase your fitness stamina – extra movement every day will help to keep your activity levels up and improving in the long term.
  3. Increase brainpower. Research from New Mexico Highlands University found that walking helped increase brain blood supply through pressure sent through the arteries from the foot.
  4. Lower your risk of heart-related conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
  5. Improve mental health, according to the University of Michigan Health System, walking in nature has been linked to a more positive outlook. #Win.
  6. Decrease the prevalence of life-threatening conditions such as strokes, depression and coronary heart disease.

    'The regular movement and pace of walking help give your mind a break, you can de-stress, improve your self-esteem and regulate your mood,' explains mindfulness practitioner Dani Binnington.

    'It is also proven that walking can help us to think more creatively,' she adds. In 2014 research published by the American Psychological Association, walks were shown to allow participant's thoughts to flow more freely, helping them with problem-solving.

    How long does it take to walk a mile?

    The average time it takes for a woman at a healthy weight without any health conditions to walk a mile is somewhere between 14 and 21 minutes.

    This is dependent on age, though – "normal" for a 20-28-year-old is around 14 to 15 minutes, while the average for a 40-49-year-old woman is around 15 or 16 minutes.

    This decline in speed is normal and natural, research has found that your average walking pace will decrease by approximately −0.0037 m/s per year. When taken over a longer time period, this means you'll lose 1.2 minutes between 20 and 60 years old.

    How long does it take to walk 2 miles?

    Now, we're not going to be so sarky as to say that walking two miles will probably just take you double as long as walking one mile... but that's basically it. Factor in a minute or two for fatigue (if you're still building up your stamina), coffee buying or shoelace tying, but two miles will take you pretty much twice the amount of time as one mile.

    This means walking two miles should take you anywhere between 28 and 32 minutes. If you're not near these numbers, see where you're at and try and improve on your time as you get fitter.

    How many calories does walking a mile burn?

    The number of calories burned while walking is dependent on a variety of factors: how quickly you walk, your current weight, your fitness levels and the area in which you walk (flat, hilly or mixed, for example).

    However, in broad strokes, it is possible to work out how many calories you're going to burn. According to Harvard Health, the following guidelines are about what you'll be burning:

    • If you weigh 120lbs (54.4 kg): you'll burn ~ 65 calories per mile walked
    • If you weigh 160lbs (72.6kg), you'll burn ~ 105 calories per mile walked
    • If you weigh 180lbs (81.6kg), you'll burn ~ 115 calories per mile walked

      Taking these figures, you could burn a rough estimate of 455 and 700 calories a week working a mile per day.

      4-ways to add a one-mile walk into your day easily

      Adding a one-mile walk into the fitness mix doesn't have to be an arduous affair. In fact, it might turn out to be the part of the day you start looking forward to most. Here are five easy ways to get a mile of movement in.

      • Set your alarm (double-points for sunrise alarm clocks) to twenty minutes earlier. Dash on your gym kit and head for a timed walk around your area before getting ready for the day.
      • Set aside a portion of your lunch break to walk. Before or after food, it's your choice!
      • Heading to the gym? Walk there (and back if it's short) instead of jumping on the bus or in the car.
      • If daytime is very busy for you, take twenty minutes after dinner and go for a short walk. It'll help demarcate the end of the working day and the beginning of your relaxing evening.

        How to measure your walking fitness progression

        You might start off walking at an average pace for your age but there's always that little bit inside of us wanting to get better, right? Right. And, as you walk more, you're likely to improve your fitness, too.

        Use the following 1-mile walking test guide to work up from OK to excellent and track your progress as you go. Make sure you're walking on a flat surface (not a treadmill) and check back each week to see how you're getting on.

        Excellent

        • Age 20-29: < 13:12 minutes
        • Age 30-39: < 13:42 minutes
        • Age 40-49: < 14:12 minutes
        • Age 50-59: < 14:42 minutes
        • Age 60-69: < 15:06 minutes
        • Age 70+: < 18:18 minutes

          Good

          • Age 20-29: 13:12 – 14:06 minutes
          • Age 30-39: 13:42 – 14:36 minutes
          • Age 40-49: 14:12 –15:06 minutes
          • Age 50-59: 14:42 – 15:36 minutes
          • Age 60-69: 15:06 – 16:18 minutes
          • Age 70+: 18:18 – 20:00 minutes

            Average

            • Age 20-29: 14:07 – 15:06 minutes
            • Age 30-39: 14:37 – 15:36 minutes
            • Age 40-49: 15:07 – 16:06 minutes
            • Age 50-59: 15:37 – 17:00 minutes
            • Age 60-69: 16:19 – 17:30 minutes
            • Age 70+: 20:01 – 21:48 minutes

              Fair

              • Age 20-29: 15:07 – 16:30 minutes
              • Age 30-39: 15:37 – 17 minutes
              • Age 40-49: 16:07 – 17:30 minutes
              • Age 50-59: 17:01 – 18:06 minutes
              • Age 60-69: 17:31 – 19:12 minutes
              • Age 70+: 21:49 – 24:06 minutes

                Poor

                • Age 20-29: > 16:30 minutes
                • Age 30-39: > 17 minutes
                • Age 40-49: > 17:30 minutes
                • Age 50-59: > 18:06 minutes
                • Age 60-69: > 19:12 minutes
                • Age 70+: 24:06 minutes

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                  How many miles is a 30 minute walk?

                  If you walk at a brisk pace for 30 minutes, you'll cover a distance of about 1½ to 2 miles (2.5 to 3.3 kilometers).

                  How long of a walk is 1 miles?

                  Mile: A mile is 1.61 kilometers or 5280 feet. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to walk 1 mile at a moderate pace.

                  Is walking 1 mile in 20 minutes good?

                  While optimal speeds vary with each individual's age and fitness, a pace below 20 minutes per mile is generally considered average, and below 18 minutes per miles is brisk. Essentially all the benefit came from lower heart-related deaths. Walking pace had no effect on cancer rates.

                  Is walking a mile in 30 minutes good?

                  Walking for just 30 minutes every day is important for your health, helps with weight loss, and improves your mood.