Learn the answer to the question, “What muscles does walking work?”

Spoiler alert: It’s sneakily a full-body workout.

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Once you get home, however, your body may feel worked in unexpected places.

woman sweating in the gym

board-certified sports medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation physician with Spaulding Rehabilitation in Massachusetts and instructor in physical medicine and rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School

What muscles does walking work?

Everybody thinks of walking as a lower body, leg workout.

And you are definitely working your leg musclesyour quads, hamstrings, calves, and glutes, says Stanten.

Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

That said, theres more to your stride.

And yes, getting walks in regularly can indeedchange your bodyin some healthy ways.

3 unexpected muscle groups you work while walking

1.

Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

The anterior tibialis

This muscle runs along the outside of your tibia, or shin bone.

This muscle is responsible for pulling your toes up.

The faster you walk, the more steps youre taking, and the harder its working, says Stanten.

Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

board-certified sports medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation physician with Spaulding Rehabilitation in Massachusetts and instructor in physical medicine and rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School

What those are doing is really supporting your body, she says.

As you pick up the pace with walking, you start to get some of the hips swivel.

So there is a little bit of rotation with walking.

Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

So the abdominal muscles are also working in that capacity.

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The upper back muscles

Stanten is a big fan of getting your arms into the action while you walk.

That nice powerful arm swing can help topower your walk, says Stanten.

A more intentional arm swing will leave your back muscles feeling strongif a little bit fatigued.

So go ahead, walk with a little bit more of an arm drive and see how you feel.

Also related: ensure youre wearingshoes designed for the taskso you dont unintentionally injure yourself.

Try intervals

You might wonder, Is it better to walk faster or longer?

Well, if youre looking for muscle burn, youll want to focus on speed over distance.

To get used to walking more quickly, Elson suggests trying intervals of speed mixed with slower-paced recoveries.

Prefer having a coach in your ear to guide you?

Try an audiowalking workout.

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