Is My Daily Hot Girl Walk Enough of a Workout?

POV: You don’t miss a day without going on a hot girl walk. We get it, the mental health benefits alone make it worth lacing up your sneakers every day. But are daily walks enough exercise on their own, or do you still need more intense workouts? We asked Robin Arzón, VP of fitness programming and head instructor at Peloton, and author of “Shut Up and Run" and "The Pivot" newsletter. And the answer isn’t so simple. 

Are daily hot girl walks enough exercise?

They can be. “Daily walks are amazing. I care much more about the consistency of someone's movement practice rather than the intensity,” says Arzón. 

Featured Expert:

Robin Arzón - VP of fitness programming and head instructor at Peloton, and author of “Shut Up and Run" and "The Pivot" newsletter.

Even getting out for a short walk every day benefits your circadian rhythm, sleep, balance, and bone and heart health. Plus, it helps counteract the effects of sitting all day. So let go of the idea that your exercise routine has to be a certain length for it to “count,” she says. 

But adding in a challenge and some resistance to your routine is even better for your overall fitness. Arzón’s recommendation: “Taking hills, elevation changes, power walking, something that is getting you to that breathless place, that's really going to contribute to heart health.” And if you can add a couple sessions of strength training (like bodyweight movements or weight lifting) each week, even better, she says. 

Worried about falling out of a routine with your daily walks? Arzón suggests “habit-stacking.” “Layer [a walk] onto what you're already doing,” she recommends. That might be taking a walk while on a Zoom meeting, drinking your morning coffee, or making a phone call.