Walking

petee5854

I am 66 years old and try to walk every day 5 days a week. I started out walking 20 minutes a day and now walk an hour a day. If I walk 5 days in a row for an hour, each day, it almost feels like it is too much by the end of the week. My question to an expert in the know is: Is it better to walk, say, 20 minutes a day 3 times a week staggered or is walking 1 hour a day once a week just as adequate?

MT1134

To better understand your question, I'd have to ask "better for what"? What's the goal for you?

middlehaitch

I’m the same age.
Walking at a good pace (10km training) would be too much, too repetitive, for me and would probably lead to injury.

Going out for a walk for 50-60 min a day at an easy/strolling pace would be fine, but I would probably get bored.

What I find best, and you may want to consider, is doing a variety of things.
If walking is your main interest maybe walk a couple of days for 60 min, a couple of days for 20-30 min.

If you are interested in improving your general overall health and retaining muscle, which I am, why not do some weight bearing exercises a 2-3 days a week, with a short walk. And then a couple of longer walks on the other days.

For any activity, build up slowly, don’t let it be something that takes away from your everyday activities. I know when I’m doing too much purposeful exercise, my garden gets neglected and I sit watching gardening shows instead. I am just too tired.

As for the 1 hr once a week or 20 min 3 times a week. You would probably benefit more by doing a short walk frequently. Your circulation will benefit, your energy levels will be more even, and there will be less chance of over use one day/little use the rest of the week aches and pains.

If you look at your countries outline for exercise frequency for seniors you will get good guidance.

Cheers, h.