How fast do you walk?

chichigirl · October 3, 2005

I have really just gotten back into exercising and I have a really nice treadmill here at home. What I want to know is how fast is a normal pace? I am pretty big and I also have had heart problems in the past, but I would like to know what the average pace people walk at. I can only do 2 miles an hour and I usually can only go for 20 minutes.

I'd appreciate anyone elses experience with this. I often watch fitness shows and read fitness magazines and it looks like a leisurely pace is suppose to be 3.5 miles per hour? Anyone know?

Thanks for your help.

Cindy

Road Queen · October 3, 2005

Cindy, if I haven't been walking for awhile, I start out about 2 miles per hour. That's where I started out after surgery in May. And over a months time increased it to 3mph. Then I kind of stalled for 2 months and just walked 2-3 times a week 20-40 minutes outside at about that pace.

Now I am at 3mph for 60 minutes and I can read a book on the treadmill. Of course, if you have any hard cover books, please send them. Most books last me 2 days. I know a time will come when I have to vary my workout but I'm going to do this for another month. One goal at a time.

Find something that works for you. Use if for a month or two, then find something else. The variety is good for your body and will relieve boredom. Celeste

Alexandra · October 3, 2005

Cindy, that MPH scale varies from person to person also depending on how long their legs are. 2 MPH for a person with short legs might be just as much of an effective aerobic workout as 4 MPH for someone who is 5'10" with long legs (me, for instance).

My treadmill speed is now between 3.7 and 4.0 for a fast walk. When I started I was doing 3.0. So it will get easier as you do it more, don't worry!

chichigirl · October 3, 2005

Thanks to both of you, you've been very helpful. I don't feel badly about doing the 2 mph for 20 min as I am just beginning. I am patient and know that I can slowly move up in speed and time.

Cindy

Jachut · October 3, 2005

I find I can only walk up to about 6km an hour and I cant maintain 6 for long, I tire quickly - about 5.5 is comfortable (but plenty aerobic) for me. A km is 5/8 of a mile so that'd be around the 3.5 miles per hour mark. However if I crank it up to 4.5 miles an hour I can keep up at this really slow, inelegant shuffling jog for half an hour or so, I just cant make my legs "walk" any faster than 3.5 although my heart and lungs can cope with more.

When I walk outside, my usual route is about 5 miles which takes me a shade over an hour.

DevilMayKare · October 3, 2005

I don't know what I started at, but I can easily walk 4 miles in an hour now (on the road). I remember when I had my elliptical trainer set at 0 incline and 0 resistence and could barely go 5 minutes. NOW I have everything set to the max and run on that thing for 25-30 minutes--while pumping my arms--and am barely tired.

If you have a treadmill or any kind of equipment at home I'll tell you a little trick I used the first winter I got my elliptical. I kept off the heat during the day and EVERYTIME I got cold I'd go jump on the trainer for 5 minutes and get warm. Depending upon how cold the day was I'd be on and off that thing once or twice an hour all day long. Not only a calorie burn but ENERGY SAVINGS! My gas bill was really low that year. (Good thing, because that elliptical cost a fortune!)

chichigirl · October 4, 2005

Kare,

Thanks for the suggestion, but I have one problem, I live in Miami. It never gets cold here, unless you turn the air conditioner down :-] But thanks for the info about building up on your eliptical. I have to keep reminding myself that I have just started and need to take it slow.

Thanks everyone for all of your help. I at least feel like what I am doing is worthwhile and that in time I will be up to a 'normal' pace.

Cindy