Hot girl walks. Mental health walks. Japanese walking. Over the past few years, several walking trends have encouraged people to get up, get out and go for a walk. Various studies have also highlighted the benefits of walking, including an October 2025 one that found UK adults who accumulated most of their daily steps through walks of at least 15 minutes had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
To determine if walking qualifies as exercise on its own, and to gather their perspectives on these walking trends, we consulted fitness experts for their professional opinions.
Does walking count as exercise?
Yes, walking is exercise, and experts across physical and mental health disciplines agree. Sergii Putsov, a certified personal trainer with a doctoral degree in sports science, says,
Fitness Experts Weigh In on Whether Walking Actually Counts as Exercise
