Walking is a very good physical activity for everyone. To walk a mile or do exercise in the city, you don’t require any particular gear or attire. Your body will function better if you can walk daily. But many individuals think they don’t have time to walk because they assume it takes a lot of time, especially when contrasted to shorter, more intense activities. In this write-up, we will discuss how long does it take to walk a mile, impacting factors, tips to increase speed and how much you should walk daily.
How Long Does It Take To Walk A Mile?
The time needed to walk one mile varies significantly by age and gender. Key factors include:
Children
- Toddlers first learning to walk require 15-20 minutes to go one mile
- By ages 5-6, children can average 15 minutes per mile
- Speed peaks for kids around age 12 at 10-15 minutes per mile
Adult Men
- So, how long does it take to walk a mile for an adult male? Men in their 20s can walk a mile in 11-15 minutes
- Brisk pace for healthy men is 13-14 minutes per mile
- After age 60, men slow down, taking 16-18 minutes per mile
Adult Women
- Women in their 20s can walk a mile in 12-16 minutes
- Healthy women average 15-16 minutes per mile
- After 60, pace declines to 17-20 minutes per mile
Elderly Men
- For men over 70, mile pace slows to 18-22 minutes
- With mobility impairments, time may exceed 30 minutes
- Use of canes or walkers increases time needed
Elderly Women
- Women over 70 require 20-25 minutes on average
- Those with arthritis or poor mobility may need 30+ minutes
- Slope and terrain further impact pace for the elderly
Impacting Factors
There are several key factors that affect how long does it take to walk a mile. These include:
Age
Age plays a major role in determining walking speed
- Young children walk slowly, around 0.5-0.7 m/s, while learning to walk
- Speed increases and peaks during the teens and 20s, up to 1.4 m/s
- Walking speed declines about 10% per decade after age 60
- Elderly people may walk only 0.6-0.8 m/s
Gender
Genders is another key factor that impacts how long does it take to walk a mile.
- Men walk faster than women on average, likely due to height and muscle mass
- Men aged 20-60 walked 13% faster at 1.26 m/s vs 1.11 m/s for women
Health Status
Health factors like obesity, pain, or disabilities slow walking speed.
- Obesity, pain, disabilities, strokes, etc. impair mobility and slow speed
- Arthritis or back/leg pain hampers speed. Paraplegics walk 50% slower with crutches.
- Strokes or Parkinson’s disease significantly impair mobility and gait
- Exercise can increase speed 5-10% even for those with limitations
Motivation
Motivation levels also impact speed.
- Leisurely walking pace is 1.0-1.3 m/s
- When walking for transportation people go 1.3-1.6 m/s
- Late for appointment or trying to catch a walk signal can spur speeds over 2 m/s
Terrain and Environment
Environment also motivates speed, as solitary walkers amble but crowds move faster. Congested urban areas full of obstacles like curbs and crowded sidewalks hinder fast pedestrian travel.
- Smooth surfaces like sidewalks allow faster speed, 1.4 m/s.
- Grass, hills, sand, or obstacles slow people down to 0.9 m/s or less.
- Crowds motivate faster movement.
Clothing and Footwear
Footwear and clothing choices also relate to speed.
- Athletic shoes faster than bare feet
- Heels, skirts, heavy coats, rainboots slow pace
- Athletic wear allows 13% faster speed than denim and button-downs
Tips To Increase Walking Speed
Now that you know how long does it take to walk a mile, let’s have a look at the effective strategies to boost walking speed.
Improve Fitness
- Regular cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises improve stamina and endurance needed for brisk walking.
- Even moderately intense exercise 3-5 days a week can increase speed.
Practice Power Walking
- Power walking involves coordinated arm pumping, abdominal engagement, and exaggerated hip rotation.
- Master proper power walking form with practice. Going farther and faster gets easier.
Get Good Shoes
- Well-cushioned athletic shoes absorb impact and protect joints.
- Proper arch and heel support prevents pain or discomfort that slows you down.
- Replace worn shoes every 300-500 miles.
Use Assistive Devices
- Canes, walkers, and poles help maintain balance, rhythm, and speed.
- Especially helpful on uneven terrain or for those with mobility limitations.
Listen to Music
- Upbeat music motivates a faster pace through rhythm.
- Make energising walking playlists with faster tempos.
Find a Buddy
- Walking with a partner provides safety, accountability, and competition.
- Take turns setting the pace and challenge each other.
Set Goals
- Apps with GPS can track distance, time, and speed.
- Challenge yourself to beat personal bests and increase average speed over time.
How Much Should You Walk Daily?
Experts suggest minimum daily walking guidelines for optimal health benefits:
Teenagers
- Teens should walk at least 60 minutes per day
- This can be broken into smaller 15-20 minute sessions
- Walking helps build strong bones, muscle, and coordination
Adult Men
- Men should aim for 30-60 minutes of walking daily
- Brisk walking that increases heart rate has added benefits
- Helps maintain healthy weight and lower disease risk
Adult Women
- Women also need 30-60 minutes of walking per day
- This amount can aid weight management and reduce anxiety/depression
Elderly Men
- Men over 65 should walk 30 minutes even with limitations
- Those capable can walk for up to 60 minutes daily
- Helps retain mobility, independence and cognitive function
Elderly Women
- Elderly women should walk for at least 30 minutes daily
- Those without severe limitations can walk for up to an hour
- Boosts longevity, quality of life, and psychological well-being
Overview
This shall clear your doubts on how long does it take to walk a mile. You should include walking in your daily routine because it is the easiest exercise you can do to get healthy and lose weight. You don’t need any specific tools to walk your way fitter and leaner other from comfy sneakers.
