Do walking pads count as exercise?
Sep 12, 2024
Yes, walking pads can count as exercise, but the extent to which they provide a meaningful workout depends on several factors:
Intensity and Duration
- To get a good workout, you need to walk at a brisk pace (3-4 mph) for at least 30 minutes. Shorter or slower walks may not raise your heart rate enough to count as exercise.
Incline
- Many walking pads allow you to adjust the incline, which makes the workout more challenging. Walking at an incline of 1-3% can help you burn more calories and work your leg muscles harder.
Resistance
- Some walking pads have built-in resistance features, such as air resistance or magnetic resistance. Using these can make your workout more intense and help you build muscle.
Calorie Burn
- Walking on a pad can burn calories, but the exact amount depends on your weight, walking speed, and the pad's incline and resistance settings. A 150-pound person walking at 3.5 mph on a 1% incline for 30 minutes can burn around 150 calories.
Overall Health Benefits
- Even if a walking pad workout doesn't burn a lot of calories, it can still provide health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health, better blood sugar control, and reduced stress levels.
So, in summary, walking pads can provide a good workout if you use them at a high enough intensity for a long enough duration. But they may not be as effective as walking or running outdoors or using other exercise equipment like treadmills or ellipticals.