Walking is so easy that we often don’t even know we’re doing it. But walking a mile at a fast pace and doing it consistently calls for a bit more awareness. And not just about your walking pace, but about your walking movement and posture. Show
In this post, we answer, “How long does it take to walk a mile?“, “How long does it take to walk a half mile?” and other related questions. We’ll be converting kilometers to miles and miles to kilometers all the way through to avoid confusion. Let’s start with a mile chart. Mile Chart: Average Walking Time by Age and GenderA 2011 study sheds light on the average walking time by age and gender. The study found that men can walk a mile slightly faster than women. But the differences are not that big. According to the study, women achieve their best walking speed per mile between the ages of 40 and 49. In men, the peak is between ages 30 and 49. Average walking time for womenAgeAverage mile timeAverage speed (miles/hour)Average speed (km/hour)20–2920min3.04.8330–3920min3.04.8340–4919min, 17sec3.115.01>5028min, 31sec – 20min, 28sec2.10 – 2.933.38 – 4.72Average walking time for menAgeAverage mile timeAverage speed (miles/hour)Average speed (km/hour)20–2919min, 43sec3.044.8930–3918min, 45sec3.25.1440–4918min, 45sec3.25.14>5027min, 38sec – 18min, 45sec2.17 – 3.23.49 – 5.15Factors Affecting the Walking TimeMany factors can affect the walking time, from your age to the weather. Before you set yourself a walking pace goal, it’s important to consider the factors that may slow you down.
How Long Does It Take to Walk a Mile?At a moderate intensity, the average walking pace is 2.5–4 miles per hour, according to the HHS Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans report. So, how long does it take the average person to walk a mile? Most people can walk a mile in 15–22 minutes, according to a 2019 study. At an easy pace, a healthy adult can walk a mile in about 20 minutes, a 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis found. But competitive walkers can walk a mile much faster. A 2015 study that looked at walking groups found that competitive walkers can walk a mile in 11 minutes. The world records for the fastest mile ever walked are even more impressive. The world record for the fastest mile ever walked by a man is 5:31.08. It was set in 2017 by British Olympian Tom Bosworth. Lithuanian Sada Eidikytė set the women’s world record for the fastest mile ever walked back in 1990. It still stands today at 6:16.72. So, as a recap, how long does it take to walk a mile on average? Broadly speaking, walking a mile takes around…
What about half a mile? How long does it take to walk half a mile? You can walk half a mile in 6 to 10 minutes, depending on your walking pace. The bottom line is that if you’re new to brisk walking, walking a mile in 20 or under 20 minutes is a good start. If you’re over 50, aim to finish a mile in under 27–28 minutes. How Long It Takes to Walk a 5KWondering how many kilometers there are in a mile? One mile is roughly 1.6 kilometers. A 5K walking race is 5 kilometers or 3.1 miles. Based on the average mile walking paces above, walking a 5K takes…
As a beginner, finishing a 5K walk in 1 hour or less is a good performance. How Long It Takes to Walk a 10KDouble the distance of a 5K, a 10K walk is 10 kilometers or 6.2 miles. It can make for a challenging race. Walking a 10K takes…
Finishing a 10K walk in under 2 hours is a good start for most inexperienced walkers. How Long It Takes to Walk a Half or Full MarathonA half-marathon takes the challenge to a new level, making you push through 21.1 kilometers or 13.1 miles. It doesn’t sound easy, and if you walk the whole distance, it can take hours. Walking a half-marathon takes, on average…
That’s some serious amount of walking. But it’s still only half as demanding as a full marathon. A marathon is 26.2 miles or 42.2 kilometers. Walking a full marathon can take hours…
Walking a marathon rather than running it may seem easier, but it’s no mean feat. Even if you plan on walking the whole marathon, it’s still crucial to train for it. How Much Should You Walk per Day?How much you walk per day depends on your goals. Do you want to use walking as a way to boost your health? Then follow the CDC recommendation of engaging in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every week. That’s the equivalent of around 20 minutes of moderate-pace walking a day or a walking pace of 2.5–4 miles per hour. Depending on your pace, 20 minutes of walking amounts to 1.25 miles or longer. Walking 150min a week has a host of health benefits, including:
If you plan to participate in walking races or to use brisk walking to condition your body for running, you may walk more. Ideally, you want to follow a training plan personalized to your fitness level, age, gender, and goals. Can I Lose Weight by Walking a Mile a Day?Walking a mile a day can help you burn around 100 calories. While that may not seem like a lot, walking can help with weight loss. Especially if you follow a weight loss diet that makes you take in fewer calories than you burn. Walking more will help you burn plenty of calories. A 154-pound person can burn 460 calories walking at a vigorous pace of 4.5 miles per hour, according to the CDC. Meanwhile, moderate-pace walking at 3.5 miles per hour can burn 280 calories per hour. Coupled with a diet low in calories, walking is a friendly moderate-intensity aerobic exercise that can help you control your weight. How to Increase Your Walking PaceAim to increase your walking pace gradually, building speed and stamina in the process. If you’re new to walking, start at an easy pace. If you’ve been running and are in good physical shape, you can start at a moderate pace.
Important: You don’t have to walk every day. Walking will put stress on your body, especially your lower body. Allow for a day or two of rest to recover. Focusing on your walking form can help you up your pace. Follow these key tips:
Good to know: How many steps in a mile? There are around 2,250 steps in a mile on average. But this depends on your height. Taller people often have a bigger stride and need fewer steps to cover a mile. TakeawaysBy now, you’re probably longing to take a walk. But before you start improving your walking pace, here are the things you need to pay attention to:
Once you start walking, your feet may take you farther than you thought. But wherever you’re headed, make sure to arrive with every step. Mindful awareness of your steps can do wonders for your walking form. And it feels great, too. How fast should you walk a mile by age?Average walking speed by age:
20-29 years: 3.00 mph (4.83 km/h) 30-39 years: 2.82 mph (4.54 km/h) 40-49 years: 2.82 mph (4.54 km/h) 50-59 years: 2.75 mph (4.43 km/h)
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.
Will walking 1 mile a day help lose weight?Simply walking more often can help you lose weight and belly fat, as well as provide other excellent health benefits, including a decreased risk of disease and improved mood. In fact, walking just one mile burns about 100 calories.
Is a 30 minute walk a mile?Many experts recommend a brisk walking pace of 3-4 mph for health and fitness. At a brisk walking pace of 3 mph (4.8 kph), you'll walk 1.5 miles in 30 minutes (2.4 km).
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