Guest Author - Hellie T.
The first thing you need is a pedometer
By using a pedometer to calculate your walking speed you can then use this page to see your fitness level.
First Go for a walk
Walk at your average pace and then check to see which category you fit into.
Please note that these fitness levels are for walking on flat ground, not walking up a gradient or going up a mountain - as walking uphill uses approx 33% more energy.
They are for people in good general health.
Simply put - just remember
That an easy pace would be 17 to 20 minutes a mile
A moderate pace would be 13 to 16 minutes per mile
A fast pace would be 12 minutes or less a mile.
In more detail
If you are under sixty years
and can walk at 2mph or thirty minutes per mile then you are unfit.
You should consult your health professional and start a walking programme. See here for tips on getting started!
If you are sixty years and over and can walk at 2mph or thirty minutes per then this means you are fit.
If you are thirty-nine year or under
and can walk at 3mph or twenty minutes per mile then you are unfit . Click here for motivational tips to get you walking!
If you are aged between thirty-nine – fifty-four years
Walking at 3mph or twenty minutes per mile means you just scrape in as fit, keep walking.
Walking at 3mph or twenty minutes to a mile when you are 55 or over means that you are fit.
And if you want to be in the very fit stage at whatever age you are, then you have to be able to walk a mile in fifteen minutes.
If you can walk a mile in 12 minutes then you are very fit. As a general rule men have a slightly faster walking speed than most women.
Aged between thirty-nine – fifty-four years
Walking at 3.5mph or seventeen minutes per mile means that you just scrape through as fit - keep walking!
Aged between fifty-five – seventy-four years
If you are walking at 3.5mph or seventeen minutes per mile it means you are fit.
Aged 65 and over
Walking at 2.5 mph or 24 minutes per mile means you are just about fit.
But beware if you are aged under thirty-nine years – walking at 3.5 mph means that you are unfit
Remember that all walking is good for you and that to get the most out of your walks you should walk at the fastest pace that is comfortable for you without over doing it.
So go walking and calculate your fitness level
And enjoy your walking!