Can You Walk Too Much in a Day?
Is there a firm cutoff for how much walking is healthy to do in one day? The short answer is no. Though, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should immediately join the ranks of TikTokers trying to hit the extreme goal of 100,000 steps.
“There is no ‘maximal’ limit for walking or any exercise for that matter,” says Randy Cohn, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine doctor at Northwell Health Orthopaedic Institute in Garden City, New York.
In fact, experts say walking even farther can be a healthy choice for some people. “Trained walkers can walk [great] distances, even up to 20 to 30 miles in a day without major issues,” adds John Hinson, MD, an orthopedic specialist with Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida.
That said, your ability to rack up double-digit miles safely depends on a few factors, including your age; fitness level; joint health; and environmental conditions, like weather and sidewalk access, says Sarav Shah, MD, chief of the sports medicine division at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston.
Essentially, with walking — just like with other forms of exercise, like weightlifting and running — it’s important to start smaller and work your way up from shorter distances.
Time is another consideration. “Untrained walkers can comfortably walk six miles in about two hours,” Dr. Hinson says — but if a two-hour walking workout doesn’t fit in your schedule, you may want to consider other longevity-boosting exercises.
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