According to a walking calorie calculator I used-
Weight 172lbs Distance walked 1 mile
Pace Duration Calories
Slow (2.5mph) 24 minutes 98
Normal (3mph) 20 minutes 96
Fast (3.5mph) 17 minutes 100
Very Fast (4mph) 15 minutes 102
Even though you burn more calories per minute the quicker you walk, walking slower takes a longer amount of time to travel the same distance so it equals roughly the same amount of calories burned?
Edit: thanks for your responses! I was aware running burns more calories per mile than walking the same distance due placing greater demands on the body/being far less efficient, I was specifically interested in walking speeds alone over the same distances?
Personal anecdote; I’ve managed to lose a significant amount of weight over the past 6 months walking 5 miles daily at a very brisk pace (4-4.5 mph average), today due to fatigue I took it easy, walked a lot slower at 3-3.5mph, felt less fatiguing but obviously took longer amount of time, a good trade off if it means I can walk at a more leisurely pace some days and burn roughly the same amount of calories over the same distance. 🙂
In: Physics
Adding on to address your personal anecdote.
Your progress is amazing, but you’ll enjoy even greater progress when calorie burn is not the only metric that you consider.
Walks or workouts that feel “fatiguing” have greater overall benefit than walks or workouts that don’t, even though they burn roughly the same calories. Exertion improves your cardiovascular health, anaerobic capacity, muscle strength and more in ways that a relaxing walk doesn’t. The stronger and fitter you get in these areas, the more effective you’ll be in your next workout. So it snowballs until you’re able to burn even more calories in a single walk. And a year later, you’re now leaner and trimmer, plus your heart is fitter, your muscles are more toned, and your lungs work greater than ever.
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