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Walking is a fantastic way to boost your physical and mental well-being. It may seem like a simple activity, but there’s something special about getting outside, putting on your walking shoes, and taking a stroll. Whether you stick to your usual neighborhood path or enjoy exploring new trails, there are ways to make each walk more effective in burning calories without having to walk faster. Here are eight expert-approved tips to help you get the most out of your walks.
Switch up Your Terrain
Terrain is the “silent MVP” of your walks, says Joe Ghafari, a certified personal trainer, nutritionist, and weight-loss specialist at Eden.
To get more out of your walks, consider switching up your usual route by opting for different terrains. According to Joe, varying the terrain can enhance your workout without requiring you to increase your speed. “Different terrains naturally challenge your body,” he explains.
For example, Joe points out that walking on sand, like at the beach, can significantly increase calorie burn compared to walking on pavement. The soft, shifting sand makes your feet work harder, engages your calves and hamstrings more, and challenges your core muscles for stability. This results in a more intense full-body workout during your walk.
A soft, grassy surface recruits more muscles to stabilize your steps. It’s an excellent choice for joint health, too—especially if you’re a long-distance walker.
Lastly, trails that have rocks, roots, and inclines provide an incredible calorie-burning workout.
“It’s like your body’s playing obstacle course detective the whole time,” Joe says. “That unpredictability forces constant adaptation, which means you’re using more energy even at a chill pace.”
Walk Backward
Walking backward—also known as retro walking—may sound and look a tad silly, but just wait until you experience the underrated benefits.
“It demands balance, coordination, and a whole new muscle pattern. Yes—it burns more,” explains Joe. “Even five minutes of backward walking can feel like a leg day finisher if you’re not used to it.”
Do Walking Lunges
Get ready to feel the best kind of lower-body burn by adding walking lunges to your classic cardio sesh. Joe recommends incorporating 10 to 20 walking lunges every few blocks, “and you’ve basically snuck in strength training mid-walk.”
Do Side Steps and Lateral Walks
Put your outer glutes and core to work with side steps and lateral walks. Joe says this tip is especially useful for individuals who work a desk job, lead a more sedentary life, or have knee pain due to straight-line movement all day.
“Think of it this way: Walking in a straight line is like cruise control,” Joe explains. “The moment you step sideways or go backward, your stabilizers, glutes, and core fire up like crazy to keep you steady. That metabolic demand adds up, especially over time.”
Wear a Weighted Vest
If you haven’t hopped on the rucking bandwagon, now’s the perfect time to do so. Rucking—walking with a weighted rucksack or vest—has gained much popularity over the years, and for good reason. You’re blending strength training and cardio into one session.
According to Joe, “Even a 10-pound vest increases resistance and calorie burn while keeping your hands free.”
Wear Hand or Ankle Weights
Wearing one to three-pound hand or ankle weights makes your upper and lower body work harder with every single step.
“Keep form tight, swing with intention, don’t flail,” Joe instructs.
Do Bodyweight Circuits
No weights? No problem! Another productive way to incorporate strength training into your walks is by performing bodyweight circuits. Joe recommends stopping every 5 minutes and doing 10 squats, 10 pushups on a bench, or 10 jump squats.
Use Walking Poles
Walk Nordic style by using walking poles. It’s incredible how much of a game-changer walking with poles can be.
“You’ll engage more upper body, improve posture, and can boost calorie burn by 15 to 20%,” Joe tells us. “Plus, they’re great on trails.”
Alexa Mellardo
