It goes without saying that walking can improve your health, but is it a must to step foot on the road for hours so that you can actually feel the progress?
Perhaps you’ve come to the conclusion that exercising is a no-no, and you simply want to walk a little and wonder how much time you spend on it. So, how long does it take to walk a mile?
Whatever your plans are, here’s everything you’ll need to get started.
Table of Contents
How Long Does It Take To Walk A Mile?
As studied for a long time, it takes an average person roughly from 15 to 25 minutes to finish a mile. How fast you can walk is basically a combination of numerous factors related to a person plus the surrounding terrain, and so on.
The men do move slightly quicker than women, as stated by research executed in 2011. The older you get, the slower you move forward. Below are some simple breakdowns of how men move differently than women:
Men
| Age | Average Speed (km/ hour) | Average Speed (miles/ hour) | Average Mile Time (mins) |
| 20-29 | 4.89 | 3.04 | 19’ 43” |
| 30-39 | 5.14 | 3.2 | 18’ 45” |
| 40-49 | 5.14 | 3.2 | 18’ 45” |
| Above 50 | 3.49 to 5.14 | 2.17 to 3.2 | 27’ 38”
18’ 45” |
Women
| Age | Average Speed (km/ hour) | Average Speed (miles/ hour) | Average Mile Time (mins) |
| 20-29 | 4.82 | 3 | 20’ |
| 30-39 | 4.82 | 3 | 20’ |
| 40-49 | 5.00 | 3.11 | 19’ 17” |
| Above 50 | 3.37 to 4.71 | 2.10 to 2.93 | 28’ 31”
20’ 28” |
The one and only Tom Bosworth created history as he walked a mile in the shortest amount of time, clocking it at 5 minutes 31 seconds. That’s much quicker than most people who cross the same distance at the same time, so it will be somehow extremely hard for beginners.
To determine how fast you can move, there are lots of techs that can assist you. In most cases, people measure their speed by using smartwatches and phone applications.
Related:
How Long Does It Take To Walk A Mile On Treadmill?
Now that we have talked about the outside activities. Let’s have a little discussion about training your legs on a treadmill since not everyone has the time to actually step outside.
You should be wondering, “how long does it take to walk a mile on treadmill?” The answer is: an average person spends quite the same amount of time walking a mile outside compared to walking on a treadmill.
However, there are certain differences between stepping foot on the road and a machine regarding the benefits and disadvantages of these two ways of exercising.
By walking outside, you want to burn as many calories as possible and strengthen more muscles. Unlike a mechanical treadmill, there are different changes of outside terrain that will help improve stabilizing muscles that aid with balance and core strength. They are both important for your general health as you age.
You can also train for longer distances. While the treadmill is great for weekly 30- to 60-minute workouts and to improve your walking posture and technique, going outside is absolutely amazing for long, leisurely miles. When engaging in a longer-distance event, you’ll need to “recruit” additional muscles to keep going and avoid physical fatigue.
Using a treadmill for regular exercises is an excellent approach to strengthen your muscles, improve your form, and increase your speed. There are a huge variety of advantages when it comes to utilizing a treadmill.
You can control your workouts better. Pre-programmed workouts, such as interval training or simulated hills, are available when walking on a treadmill. A computerized panel on the treadmill may indicate vitals that might help you optimize your next walk.
Most individuals can move faster as they set their treadmill workout for time rather than distance. There are fewer impediments on a treadmill, so they can frequently run quicker. Greater speed equals more distance traveled in the same period of time, resulting in more calories expended.
No matter what you choose, either to step foot outside or to walk on a machine, they both are equally beneficial. Just remember to tap into your goals and interests when it comes to working out.
How To Calculate Your Walking Time?
There are a lot of tracking and planning apps out there that make monitoring distance and pace easier than ever. You can also buy watches from many companies that do practically everything – except massaging your aching feet after a long walk, of course!
If you are not into high-tech items, a nice old-fashioned stopwatch or your phone’s digital stopwatch will be more than enough.
How Many Calories Does Walking a Mile Burn?
The number of calories you burn by traveling a mile can vary greatly as it depends on how heavy you are. But there is a rule of thumb: a 180-pound person burns around 100 calories every mile, while a 120-pound person burns approximately 65 calories per mile.
It doesn’t matter how fast you move. If you run for the same distance, you will lose calories based on your weight. However, moving quicker has the advantage of allowing you to travel further in the same period of time. Therefore, you will burn more calories.
How Fast Do You Need to Walk to Get A Healthier Life?
You should strive to finish a mile in around half an hour if you’re going to work out for half an hour every day. That would be enough to see the positive changes. You can always do more if you want. Just remember that the biggest milestone is your own growth.
It’s great to map out some objectives to encourage you and keep you focused, but simply making baby steps on the road or onto a machine has already been a victory. Pushing yourself to perform better than how good you were the day before will always be a big first step in the correct path.
How Beneficial Is Walking a Mile Regularly?
It is undeniable that literally, everybody on earth can achieve several benefits from exercising, especially walking. It may also help you avoid some health issues and perhaps prolong your lifespan to a certain level. Let’s take a closer look at how practicing this kind of exercise regularly can benefit your physical condition.
Loses Weight
Walking can help you burn some calories, but in case you’re having trouble finishing a mile quickly, don’t give up! Change the way you constantly walk to gradually improve your ability to achieve longer distances.
Alternating short periods of jogging with a couple of minutes of a slow walk is a way to go. This provides you the chance to build your strength while dropping some weight.
Improves Your Blood Flow
Walking can protect against different heart issues by helping you control your heart rate and blood pressure. Specifically, traveling a couple of kilometers a day can help postmenopausal women control their blood pressure better.
Strengthens Your Muscles
This kind of exercise tones your leg, abdomen, along with your arm muscles, when you activate them while you move. By moving pressure and weight to every muscle in your body, you can gradually enhance your range of motion.
Supports Your Joints
The majority of joint cartilage is devoid of blood supply. It gets energy from the fluid that flows through our joints when we move. Walking “squishes” the cartilage by moving and compressing it, allowing oxygen and nutrients to enter the region.
Boosts Your Energy
When you’re fatigued, taking a stroll instead of taking in caffeine can be a more efficient way to boost your energy. Walking boosts the body’s oxygen supply. Different hormones in your body, like epinephrine, norepinephrine, and Cortisol, may all rise as a result.
Stabilize Your Mental State
This kind of exercise greatly benefits one’s mental well-being. According to studies, it can aid in the reduction of anxiety and sadness. It also reduces self-consciousness and alleviates symptoms of social disengagement.
You can either choose to do half an hour of jogging or do other exercises weekly to achieve these benefits. You can also, instead of doing a non-stop 30-minute walk, do three less-than-15-minute walks.
Conclusion
Now that you have the answer to your initial question – How long does it take to walk a mile? Well, it takes an average person roughly 15 to 25 minutes to finish an entire mile.
Whether you’re a beginner or a well-trained walker, walking is an excellent activity for avoiding health issues, burning calories and prolonging your lifespan. Don’t bother if you can’t make it through in a short amount of time. Just keep this in mind: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
Good day, readers! My name is Jason Gwinn, a 35 years old man who specializes in physical fitness. With 15 years of experience being a personal trainer, I will help you conquer the fitness challenges. Besides guiding you through my unique workouts, I can also help you choose the best fitness equipment to assist you in achieving your goals and exercise regimen.
