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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think getting out for a walk is better for you than the gym?

249 replies

lostinthememory · 09/01/2025 15:13

And this is a hill I'm willing to die on

Yes going to the gym is great, especially if you're lifting weights etc with a goal to building muscle mass. But for most of us, it's far better to get out and go for a nice brisk walk in the sunshine (or even the sleet, as I did yesterday!) and leaves you feeling much better

OP posts:
pumpkinpillow · 10/01/2025 08:25

lostinthememory · 10/01/2025 08:23

@pumpkinpillow I get 10k steps in walking about 3.5 miles a day so not sure where you've got 5 miles from!

1000 steps = about 10 minutes of walking

It's the widely accepted figure (see Google).

bigkahunaburger · 10/01/2025 09:17

lostinthememory · 10/01/2025 08:23

@pumpkinpillow I get 10k steps in walking about 3.5 miles a day so not sure where you've got 5 miles from!

1000 steps = about 10 minutes of walking

Well your phone tells you - 10,000 steps for me is 5 miles. Im tall. It also tells me I walk on average 4mph. I keep an eye on it, cos Im always trying to make sure i keep my speed up (to make it worthwhile). i can drift off into my book and start to amble.

pumpkinpillow · 10/01/2025 09:31

bigkahunaburger · 10/01/2025 09:17

Well your phone tells you - 10,000 steps for me is 5 miles. Im tall. It also tells me I walk on average 4mph. I keep an eye on it, cos Im always trying to make sure i keep my speed up (to make it worthwhile). i can drift off into my book and start to amble.

That's similar to me. I walk fast and am tall.
I have a Garmin though.

bigkahunaburger · 10/01/2025 09:33

pumpkinpillow · 10/01/2025 09:31

That's similar to me. I walk fast and am tall.
I have a Garmin though.

whats that?

IglesiasPiggl · 10/01/2025 09:35

Exercise is very personal. What's best is whatever you will do sustainably and whatever makes you feel energised and healthy. Personally I hate walking with no purpose or destination, I find it a chore. Each to their own really.

MumblesParty · 10/01/2025 09:42

DelicateSoundOfEchos · 09/01/2025 23:36

My gym is open 24/7 and it suits me to go at 4am. I wouldn't be so inclined to go running on the streets at 4am.

My cousin is a fan of 24 hour gyms, but I often wonder, do you ever feel nervous there? Presumably not many people go at that time, so if you were there on your own and a man came in, wouldn’t you feel vulnerable? There might be CCTV etc, but it doesn’t prevent attacks, it just records them!

brunettemic · 10/01/2025 09:47

It depends. I train a lot (running and strength) and like the structure of following a plan, ie on monday I do an easy run, on Tuesday I strength train etc. If I was just “out for a walk”
it’s easy to just leave it as there’s no structure. It’s why couch to 5k is so successful, it’s an easy to follow setup.
Having no set structure of just going for a walk I will never keep going with.

Dramatic · 10/01/2025 09:51

I HATE walking. I either get too hot and sweaty or I'm freezing, either way I'm always absolutely desperate to get home. My legs also randomly get really itchy too.

I do like the gym though.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 10/01/2025 10:06

bigkahunaburger · 09/01/2025 20:23

But does everyone agree, that PHYSICALLY a fast paced 10k steps a day (so you are puffed out, walking at 4mph) is equivalent to a gym workout? I think it is, but am I right?

Im not talking about a leisurely amble.

I'm no expert, but I don't think that it is. Very fast walking is aerobic exercise which is the opposite of weight lifting or circuits. It would only equate with a fast paced exercise class - and even then unless you are walking carrying hand weights and stopping to do some stretches along the way, you aren't using the same muscles.

ForOliveDog · 10/01/2025 10:06

I agree being outdoors doing any exercise is way better, I couldn’t stand a gym, i love being outside even in the cold/wind/rain.
love walks, faffing in the garden (god I sound old 😂) but I mainly keep fit and strong doing my daughters horse stuff…something therapeutic about picking poo, wheelbarrowing about and grooming them, my head is empty of the stresses of life. I’ve never been stronger and often get to watch a beautiful sunset/sunrise while I’m doing it all

bigkahunaburger · 10/01/2025 10:10

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 10/01/2025 10:06

I'm no expert, but I don't think that it is. Very fast walking is aerobic exercise which is the opposite of weight lifting or circuits. It would only equate with a fast paced exercise class - and even then unless you are walking carrying hand weights and stopping to do some stretches along the way, you aren't using the same muscles.

See this is what I thought. I havent been doing it long, but I just thought walking was a bit pointless. But I am shocked how I feel every muscle working - I wake up with aches in my tummy and arms - I never thought it would be working them!! I have a rotator cuff injury that is improving because of the swinging of my arm I think.

Since I started my bum and legs are toned - which I expected, but so is my core which I did not expect at all. I dunno, I just used to think walking was a bit pointless and at best it might make your legs a bit toned, but ive lost a lot of weight because of it and am more toned all over. Who knew!!

bigkahunaburger · 10/01/2025 10:11

Still got flabby arms though...

pumpkinpillow · 10/01/2025 10:42

bigkahunaburger · 10/01/2025 09:33

whats that?

A fitness tracker. I think it's more accurate than my phone.

SabreIsMyFave · 10/01/2025 11:31

bigkahunaburger · 10/01/2025 09:17

Well your phone tells you - 10,000 steps for me is 5 miles. Im tall. It also tells me I walk on average 4mph. I keep an eye on it, cos Im always trying to make sure i keep my speed up (to make it worthwhile). i can drift off into my book and start to amble.

Yeah this. 10,000 steps is 4.5 to 5 miles. No way is it 3.5 miles for most people. That poster must have some giant ass strides. As for the people saying 'I probably do half - or more than half - of the 10,000 steps target just tootling around at work,' that's not the same. You don't get your heart points and burn lots of calories, just walking around at work. We are talking about getting outside for a walk. An actual proper sturdy walk outside. Just walking without stopping! For 10,000 steps/5 miles. That's what the whole thread is about. (Going for a walk outside!) Not ambling around the shops, or walking around at work (on and off.)

I stand by what I said. For most people, doing a 10,000 step walk a day OUTSIDE, actually walking that distance (5 miles for most) every day, is too much of a challenge for most people. It would take one and a half to two hours!

It may possibly be doable, most days, if you have very little to do in your day, you live in or near countryside, and the weather is perfectly lovely every day. But this scenario does not exist. It is NOT perfectly lovely every day for a start, and many people don't live near any countryside, and many are too busy!

And even those who have a bit of time on their hands would struggle because - as I said - of the weather... At least some of the year it would be too icy, too wet, too windy, or too hot, to do a one and a half to two hour walk! No way can anyone do a 10,000 step outside walk every day.

.

bigkahunaburger · 10/01/2025 11:45

I do - and so do my parents. Unless Im sick, I go in all weathers. Im lucky though that a) I am able to make the time b) I have safe and lovely walks all around me I can do. Im very lucky. 10k takes me 1hr 15mins.

bigkahunaburger · 10/01/2025 11:49

I agree with you about people saying they do that at work. I have two relatives (who are obese) who scoff at us because they say they do 10-12k steps a day just through work. Its simply not the same.

I have heard some experts say its better to split the walk into 3, but I dunno. I think it has to be done in one hit to really get the heart pumping for that time. i mean I walk as fast as I can without running - i look like a crazy person - because I also swing my arm a lot because I am trying to heal a rotator cuff injury the improvement is massive and physio approved this. So yeah, its a ballache to get out at times, but i never regret doing it, and i dont listen to any podcasts or audio books in the house, so im itching to get out and carry on listening. i purposely choose podcasts that are gripping - not light hearted chat ones - so Im really invested in. That helps get me out the door for sure.

Mrsbloggz · 10/01/2025 12:05

bigkahunaburger · 10/01/2025 11:45

I do - and so do my parents. Unless Im sick, I go in all weathers. Im lucky though that a) I am able to make the time b) I have safe and lovely walks all around me I can do. Im very lucky. 10k takes me 1hr 15mins.

That's an extremely fast walking speed! 😯

pumpkinpillow · 10/01/2025 12:10

Mrsbloggz · 10/01/2025 12:05

That's an extremely fast walking speed! 😯

10K steps, not 10K distance - so about 5 miles. 1 mile in 15 mins. It's a good pace, but not extremely fast.

Mrsbloggz · 10/01/2025 12:17

pumpkinpillow · 10/01/2025 12:10

10K steps, not 10K distance - so about 5 miles. 1 mile in 15 mins. It's a good pace, but not extremely fast.

Oh my mistake, I thought you meant 10K as in 10 kilometres /6 miles.
15-minute mile is still a good walking pace ☝🏻😁

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 10/01/2025 12:22

The trouble is that a 'walk' is different for many people. Some potter along barely breaking a sweat (still better than no activity at all) while others stride along behind their Labrador at near record-breaking speeds. Walking isn't one generic thing, it's just not running.

pumpkinpillow · 10/01/2025 12:23

Mrsbloggz · 10/01/2025 12:17

Oh my mistake, I thought you meant 10K as in 10 kilometres /6 miles.
15-minute mile is still a good walking pace ☝🏻😁

It wasn't me.
I would also default to interpreting 10K as distance as I think we're more used to seeing that. I'm also a runner so 10K = 10K race :-)

Agree - 15min/mile is a good pace, especially if it's off road.

Tessasanderson · 10/01/2025 12:41

The best exercise is the one you enjoy and want to do again and again and again. If getting out for a walk is what makes you feel happy then thats the best form of exercise.

For others the social and measurable aspect of gym work can be a huge motivation. Maybe not for everyone but some, would you believe it, really would prefer to go in the gym than go out for a walk. Then you also have to take into account the ability to go to the gym regardless of the weather. Rain, Snow, Win, who cares you are warm and inside.

Lets not kid ourselves that walking is BETTER than gym. It is another form of exercise, nothing more, nothing less

GreenTeaLikesMe · 10/01/2025 12:50

SabreIsMyFave · 10/01/2025 11:31

Yeah this. 10,000 steps is 4.5 to 5 miles. No way is it 3.5 miles for most people. That poster must have some giant ass strides. As for the people saying 'I probably do half - or more than half - of the 10,000 steps target just tootling around at work,' that's not the same. You don't get your heart points and burn lots of calories, just walking around at work. We are talking about getting outside for a walk. An actual proper sturdy walk outside. Just walking without stopping! For 10,000 steps/5 miles. That's what the whole thread is about. (Going for a walk outside!) Not ambling around the shops, or walking around at work (on and off.)

I stand by what I said. For most people, doing a 10,000 step walk a day OUTSIDE, actually walking that distance (5 miles for most) every day, is too much of a challenge for most people. It would take one and a half to two hours!

It may possibly be doable, most days, if you have very little to do in your day, you live in or near countryside, and the weather is perfectly lovely every day. But this scenario does not exist. It is NOT perfectly lovely every day for a start, and many people don't live near any countryside, and many are too busy!

And even those who have a bit of time on their hands would struggle because - as I said - of the weather... At least some of the year it would be too icy, too wet, too windy, or too hot, to do a one and a half to two hour walk! No way can anyone do a 10,000 step outside walk every day.

.

Edited

Why would living near countryside be helpful, particularly?

My experience is that city dwellers tend to walk the most and be the fittest. Hate to say it, but of the rural people I know, most barely walk at all (the exception is the one who does an actual rural job and does get a lot of walking in).

gamerchick · 10/01/2025 12:56

XenoBitch · 09/01/2025 22:54

Yes!

Most of my exercise is in VR. You stick to something better if you enjoy it. I and love VR.

It's an excellent addition to anything else you do. Takes exercise boredom in the house away and you do more than you would without it.

Princessconsuelabananahammock9 · 10/01/2025 13:45

My mental health improves when I'm outside walking.

My physical health feels better when I lift weights/yoga/Pilates/ballet.

I don't think walking is enough for most people, plus as someone mentioned people count walking around the office or their home and I can't see how that improves fitness when It doesn't even get the heart rate up.