Fitness
Is Walking Exercise? A Closer Look at the 'Hot Girl Walk' Trend
Inspired by trends like the “hot girl walk” or “mental health walk,” perhaps you’ve been spending more time walking around your neighborhood or meandering in a local park. While we all know that being outdoors (and even sleeping outdoors) has benefits, is the same true for simply walking when compared to other forms of exercise? In other words, is walking really exercise?
You may not build up the sweat with walking that you would with a jog or climbing the stairs. Because of that, some people may not realize how many calories they burn when they’re out for a stroll. Fortunately, experts say going for a walk can do a body and mind good.
What is the hot girl walk trend?
During the summer of 2020, TikTok personality Mia Lind was feeling isolated and coping with negative thoughts. So she started to go on four-mile walks to think about gratitude, her goals and how hot she is. Inspired by rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s song “Hot Girl Summer,” Lind coined her outings “hot girl walks” and started sharing them online.
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 PhD in sports science, says, “Walking for just 30 minutes every day can lower your risk of severe cardiovascular disease and dementia.” April Crowe, a licensed clinical social worker at Paramount Wellness Retreat, adds that “walking in natural environments also boosts cognitive function and creativity, thereby providing a unique kind of therapy.”
Does walking do more than build your heart’s strength? As it turns out, yes. The Mayo Clinic has identified additional health benefits of walking. According to the medical center, walking can improve muscle endurance, boost energy, lower blood pressure, strengthen bones and support the immune system. You can see benefits both outdoors and on a treadmill.
Walking alone can also change the shape of your body. In 2017, the Journal of Physical Activity and Health did a meta-analysis of 22 clinical trials related to walking and health. The results revealed that brisk walking reduced waist circumference, fat mass and body fat percentage to a “clinically significant” degree in men and women under age 50 living with obesity. It can also lead to overall weight loss. So, that “hot girl walk” you take could cause noticeable changes to your body if you stick to it.
Is walking enough exercise on its own?
Walking can certainly be combined with other activities as part of a circuit. You can also walk as a warm-up for jogging or cycling. Walking on its own can deliver results and may have fewer negative impacts on your body than other high-impact sports.
Gregor Parella, also a CPT, says of walking for walking’s sake: “It is much better than jogging because jogging can put undue pressure on your ankles, especially if you are heavily built. On the other hand, brisk walking is one of the best exercises because it tones up your leg and calf muscles [without the same pressure on joints].”
Even walking at a slow pace is better than being stationary at home, but a faster pace will also hasten the health benefits. A 2019 study in Atherosclerosis found that “walking pace was inversely associated with the risk of death and development of cardiovascular disease” in male physicians with an average age of 67.8. In other words, the faster you walk, the lower your risk of death and cardiovascular disease.
Regarding how long you should walk, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, or 30 minutes a day for five days, for substantial health benefits. This can include walking briskly at 2.5 mph to 4 mph. Walking at a slow or leisurely pace (2 mph or less) is considered a light-intensity activity, which is likely to produce some health benefits compared to sedentary behavior, but not as many benefits as walking briskly.
The health benefits of walking
There are many health benefits to walking. Not only can the activity lower cortisol levels, like all forms of exercise, and give you some fresh air, but you may see various tangible improvements in the following health indicators:
- Better sleep. Low-impact physical activity can lead to more fitful sleep. One small 2020 study published in Sleep Health found that increasing daily steps led to better quality sleep, especially among women.
- Lower risk of type 2 diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, walking at least 30 minutes per day could help you stave off type 2 diabetes. Increasing your daily step count may keep your glucose levels in check.
- Lower blood pressure. A 2022 study from the American Family Physician reported that a regular walking schedule with moderate intensity can lower systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate.
- Improved balance. Remaining steady on your feet is increasingly important for your health as you age. Harvard Health Publishing states that walking builds lower body strength, which improves balance.
- Lower risk of cancer. Walking may even reduce your risk of some cancers. A 2013 study out of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that postmenopausal women who walked at least seven hours per week had a 14% lower risk of getting breast cancer than women who walked three hours or less every week.
Ways to make walking more intense
If you hit a plateau with your walking routine, you can add some intensity to your walk without having to jog or switch activities. Making your walk more rigorous could increase the number of calories burned by giving your body a new challenge. Ways to up the ante on your daily walk include:
- Increase the time of your walk. If you’re currently walking 30 minutes a day, add more time in 10- or 15-minute intervals. Putsov recommends walking at least 45 minutes a day if your goal is weight loss.
- Increase your speed. You can also add more intensity by picking up speed. Free fitness workout apps with GPS enabled, including Nike Run Club, can help you track distance and time to calculate your pace.
- Wear wrist or ankle weights. Tying on weights like Bala Bangles can kick your walk up a notch. These types of weights can be worn on your ankles or wrists to provide resistance.
- Alternate your pace. Both CPTs we spoke to recommended walking intervals to make walking more challenging. Try walking for five minutes at a regular pace, then five minutes of speed walking, and so on.
- Add an incline to your route. Are you walking on a flat surface for most of your route? Find a hill to increase the difficulty of your trek. You may also want to add retro-walking (walking backward) up an incline.
How to stay motivated walking
It’s easy to get excited about a new workout routine initially, and it’s just as natural to get bored or frustrated when you stop seeing major results. You may find music and podcasts helpful because they make time appear to pass more quickly. Just make sure that these sounds are background noise so that you can still be aware of your environment and those around you.
Crowe also recommends setting clear, achievable goals. She says it can help to remind yourself about how far you’ve come, explaining, “Recording all achievements made during walks, whether through mobile apps or personal journals, will act as a reminder,” which can push you harder next time.
If going it alone is making it harder to stay on track, try walking with a partner or seeing if there is a walking club in your area. Parella says a walking buddy can increase your sense of accountability and make the experience more fun. You may also try new scenery to stay motivated during a walk. Getting some sun will increase your vitamin D intake, which may improve your mood.
Safety tips while walking
Before you hit the sidewalk on your daily walk or hot girl walk, be sure you’re well-equipped for the task. While a neighborhood or lakeside stroll may seem harmless, you still want to set yourself up for a safe return.
- Bring water. In moderate temperatures, REI recommends drinking one half-liter (about 17 oz.) of water every hour. If it’s hot outside, you should increase your water intake. Becoming dehydrated on a walk could leave you feeling dizzy or sick.
- Wear the right shoes. You don’t want to be taken out of commission halfway through your walk because of a sprained ankle or serious blisters. Get fitted at an athletic store for quality walking shoes that fit your foot shape and arches.
- Let someone know your location. Make sure when you’re walking in nature or at night that someone can find you. Sharing your location on Google Maps is one easy way to accomplish this.
- Wear reflective gear at night. Wear a reflective jacket or vest if you’re walking early in the morning or after dusk. You can also get reflective tape and add it to your shoes and the back of your pants.
- Use the sidewalks. The U.S. Department of Transportation states that you should always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
- Plan your route. To avoid getting lost or wandering into areas that may be unlit or unsafe, plan your route ahead of time. This will help you remain aware of your surroundings while allowing you to give someone your exact location before you head out.
- Carry your phone. If you’re walking alone — especially at night — make sure you carry your phone in case of an emergency. However, do not let your phone distract you to the point where you are not alert and aware of your surroundings.
Fitness
Home Gym Supplies Squat Rack Cage Package Released to Market for Exercise Lovers by Strongway Gym Supplies
Coventry, UK – March 02, 2026 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
Strongway Gym Supplies has released squat rack cage packages to the market for exercise enthusiasts across the United Kingdom. The packages combine squat cage frames with safety features suited to home-based strength training, now available through the company’s online platform.
The power cage design centres on four vertical posts connected by horizontal crossbeams. Adjustable safety bars mount between the posts at various heights, catching the barbell if a lift cannot be completed. This safety mechanism becomes relevant during heavy squats or bench presses performed without a training partner present to assist with failed attempts.
J-hooks secure the barbell at the proper beginning positions for various exercises by fastening to the posts at predetermined heights. Quick adjustments between squats, presses, and other barbell movements are made possible by the hooks’ ability to slide up or down the posts and lock into position using pin mechanisms. Depending on the exercise being done, pull-up bars that extend across the top of the frame provide grip positions that vary from wide to narrow.
Mandip Walia, Co-Director at Strongway Gym Supplies, said the cage addresses concerns people have about training alone at home. “Without someone there to spot, there’s always the question of what happens if the weight gets too heavy midway through a set,” he noted. “The safety bars remove that worry. Position them correctly and they’ll catch the bar before it pins someone. That makes a genuine difference in how hard someone can train when working solo, especially on exercises like squats where bail-out options are limited.”
Steel tubing forms the frame structure, with powder-coated finishes applied to resist corrosion in garage environments where humidity fluctuates. Bolt-together construction allows the cage to be disassembled if relocation becomes necessary, though the assembled weight often exceeds 100 kilograms once all components are secured together.
Weight storage pegs project from the rear posts on most models, keeping plates within reach whilst adding mass that stabilises the frame during use. The pegs typically accommodate enough plates to load a barbell for intermediate to advanced training sessions without running out of storage capacity.
The complete range of home fitness equipment, include squat racks, is available to be explored at: https://strongway.co.uk/collections/home-fitness.
The cages fit into garages, spare rooms, and basement areas commonly found in UK residential properties. Height clearance sits around 210 centimetres for most models, working under standard ceiling heights but potentially tight in older homes or loft conversions where ceilings run lower. Floor space requirements roughly match that of a small garden shed once the cage stands fully assembled.
The width of the frame includes the length of the Olympic barbell and the space needed to safely enter and exit during exercises. If the dimensions are too narrow, the posts get in the way of natural movement patterns. If they are too wide, they take up too much floor space. Most manufacturers try to find a balance between these factors, but the exact measurements vary from model to model.
Band pegs feature on some cages, providing anchor points at floor level for resistance bands. This allows accommodating resistance during squats and presses, where band tension increases as the bar rises through the movement. The technique has found followers among strength training practitioners, though it remains less widespread than traditional plate loading.
Full details about the squat rack power cage can be viewed at: https://strongway.co.uk/products/strongway-multi-gym-squat-rack-power-cage.
Randeep Walia, Co-Director at Strongway Gym Supplies, remarked that cage packages align with how people actually approach home training. “Training at home has proven effective for improving muscle strength, endurance, and power when maintained consistently,” he explained. “Frequency matters more than location. Training more than three times weekly produces better outcomes, and having a cage at home eliminates the travel time and scheduling constraints that often interrupt consistency. The cage becomes the foundation. Everything else—bench, bar, plates—gets arranged around it.”
Dispatch runs across mainland UK addresses with timelines confirmed during checkout. The cages arrive in multiple boxes given the size and weight of individual components. Instructions guide assembly, though managing the heavier frame sections works considerably better with two people rather than attempting solo construction.
Packages can be purchased as cage-only units or complete setups that include benches, barbells, and weight plates. Pricing reflects the total equipment included, with buyers selecting options based on what they already own versus what needs acquiring.
The release tracks with patterns observed in the UK home fitness market where demand for core strength training equipment holds steady. Power cages appeal to users seeking barbell training capabilities with built-in safety features, particularly relevant for individuals training without supervision or access to spotters during heavier lifting sessions.
Those interested in exploring the range of exercise equipment available at Strongway Gym Supplies can visit: https://strongway.co.uk/.
###
For more information about Strongway Gym Supplies, contact the company here:
Strongway Gym Supplies
Mandip Walia
+44-800-001-6093
sales@strongway.co.uk
Strongway Gym Supplies, 26 The Pavilion, Coventry CV3 1QP, United Kingdom
Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. XPRMedia and this Site make no warranties or representations in connection therewith. If you are affiliated with this page and would like it removed please contact pressreleases@xpr.media
Fitness
At 72, Oprah swears by this specific move for full-body strength – here’s why it’s so effective
Oprah Winfrey, 72, has been vocal about her weight loss journey in recent years, revealing that maintaining fitness, particularly through strength training, has been crucial while using GLP-1s. Such is her love for these newfound fitness habits that she even did a 72-minute workout to celebrate her 72nd birthday earlier this year.
Now, the talk show host has taken to Instagram to share with her followers a specific strength move that has quickly become a staple in her routine: kettlebell swings.
Why are kettlebell swings effective?
‘Kettlebell swings are one of the most efficient movements because they combine strength, power and cardiovascular conditioning in one exercise,’ says Alice Jordan, a women’s strength and hormone health coach. ‘They target the posterior chain – glutes, hamstrings and lower back – which is especially important for women as we age, helping to improve posture, reduce back pain and support metabolism.’
Jordan adds that kettlebell swings ‘also elevate the heart rate quickly, making them ideal for busy women who want maximum results in minimal time,’ and that when incorporated into your routine correctly, they ‘can improve fat loss, core stability and overall functional strength, which carries over into everyday movement and injury prevention.’
Another key benefit that makes kettlebell swings such an effective movement for women as they age? ‘They help build explosive strength and bone density – both crucial for women during and after menopause.’
How to do kettlebell swings
It’s important to take the time to properly learn the right technique – as Oprah said she did. Alongside the video she posted on Instagram of her performing the exercise, Oprah wrote ‘I first saw other people doing kettlebell swings so skillfully that I didn’t attempt them for at least a year! Now Trainer Peter is always right by my side to course correct me so I’m doing them right – and I think I finally got the swing of them.’
Explaining how to do kettlebell swings, Jordan says that ‘the movement should come from the hips, not the lower back or shoulders. Think about pushing your hips back, keeping your spine neutral, and then powerfully driving the hips forward. This helps target the glutes and reduces the risk of injury.’
When it comes to ensuring that you choose the right weight, Jordan adds that a ‘good starting point for most women is a kettlebell between 6-10kg – but the key is that it should feel challenging enough to drive the hips forward without using the arms.’
‘If you can easily lift it with your shoulders, it’s usually too light. Many beginners actually benefit from going slightly heavier so they learn proper hip hinge mechanics,’ she flags.
How often to do kettlebell swings
So, how often should you do the move per week? ‘For beginners, I’d typically recommend starting with 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps, focusing on good technique and plenty of rest between sets,’ says Jordan. ‘The priority early on is learning the hip hinge and building confidence with the movement, rather than pushing volume too quickly.’
Doing this 2-3 times per week works well for most beginners, she adds, as it ‘allows enough time to recover while still building strength, power and cardiovascular fitness.’ When your technique and fitness improve, you ‘can gradually increase either the number of sets or include swings as part of full-body workouts.’
‘It’s also helpful for beginners to keep sessions relatively short and stop before fatigue affects form, as this reduces the risk of injury and helps reinforce good movement patterns.’
Common mistakes to avoid
Jordan says common mistakes to avoid include:
- Turning the swing into a squat rather than a hinge
- Lifting the kettlebell with the arms instead of letting momentum and hip power do the work
- Rounding the back and going too heavy too quickly
It really is important to be patient and take some time to get your form exactly right – as it will mean you’ll get the most out of the exercise in the long run.
Hannah Bradfield is a Senior Health and Fitness Writer for Women’s Health UK. An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Hannah graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in English and Sport Science and an MA in Media and Cultural Analysis. She has been covering sports, health and fitness for the last five years and has created content for outlets including BBC Sport, BBC Sounds, Runner’s World and Stylist. She especially enjoys interviewing those working within the community to improve access to sport, exercise and wellness. Hannah is a 2024 John Schofield Trust Fellow and was also named a 2022 Rising Star in Journalism by The Printing Charity. A keen runner, Hannah was firmly a sprinter growing up (also dabbling in long jump) but has since transitioned to longer-distance running. While 10K is her favoured race distance, she loves running or volunteering at parkrun every Saturday, followed, of course, by pastries. She’s always looking for fun new runs and races to do and brunch spots to try.
Fitness
The Workout Habit That Can Become Harm
If your day begins with a HIIT class and ends with the saintly glow of “I’ve been good,” you’re not alone. Regular movement can lighten stress, settle anxiety, and generally make the world feel a little less like a group chat on deadline. But for a small group of gym-goers, exercise addiction isn’t a punchline or a humblebrag — it’s a real behavioural pattern that can quietly bulldoze daily life.
Researchers in Budapest have suggested that for around 0.3 to 0.5% of gym-goers, working out and the quest for ultimate wellness can tip into unhealthy obsession. And a separate study from Anglia Ruskin University found the risk rises sharply for people with a history of eating disorders — with researchers reporting you’re nearly four times more likely to experience exercise addiction if you’ve previously had anorexia or bulimia.
It’s an uncomfortable twist, because exercise is supposed to be the good bit. The socially approved coping mechanism. The one that gets likes, not concerned phone calls.
Why “Healthy” Can Be a Convenient Disguise
Wellness culture has a curious magic trick: it can make rigid rules look like discipline. Eight hours’ sleep becomes a badge of honour. “Clean eating” becomes a personality. And a workout missed can feel, for some, less like a rest day and more like a moral failure.
That’s what makes compulsive exercise hard to spot — especially during or after recovery from disordered eating. To friends and family, it can look like someone has “sorted themselves out.” Under the surface, the engine can be the same: fear, control, anxiety — just with different gym kit.
As Eating Disorders Awareness Week begins (March 2–8), we spoke to experts about wellness, disordered exercise, and the additional risks for those with a history of eating disorders.
Can Eating Disorders Be Replaced by Exercise Addiction?
Kerrie Jones, a psychotherapist specialising in eating disorders and clinical director of treatment centre Orri, says eating disorders and exercise addiction often share the same roots — and the same function.
“Eating disorders, like exercise addiction, arise when we have lived through an experience – or lots of different experiences – that have taught us that we’re not safe in our day-to-day lives,” she says.
“Obsessing about food, weight or exercise is a behavioural mechanism that has developed as a means of keeping us feeling safe and in control when otherwise we’d feel overwhelmed with fear and anxiety.”
Jones explains that these behaviours can narrow a person’s focus to what feels measurable and manageable — calories, reps, weight, shape — while masking the deeper fear underneath.
“We call these ‘maladaptive’ coping mechanisms, as they develop through seemingly good intentions, but to the detriment of our longer-term physical and mental health.
“Sometimes, when people reach a point in their recovery where they are stable and functioning, they may move from an obsessive relationship to food, to an obsessive relationship to exercise.”
And because exercise is widely applauded — and often actively encouraged — the behaviour can stick around far longer than people realise.
“It’s a much more socially accepted and idolised means of maintaining obsessive behavioural patterns,” says Jones, which means it can linger for years before someone seeks help.
What Drives Exercise Addiction Psychologically?
There’s rarely one neat cause. It’s more often an overlap of biology, social pressure, past experiences, and psychology — with a particular role for trauma and learned patterns of control.
“There’s no one reason or cause why someone might develop an eating disorder or exercise addiction, however, it’s often a combination of social, genetic and psychological factors,” says Jones. “Commonly, we find a negative life experience or traumatic experience at the root.”
Chartered psychologist and Healthspan ambassador Dr Meg Aroll says more research is needed specifically on exercise addiction, but we already know a lot about how behavioural addictions operate — particularly the loop of compulsive thoughts and repeated behaviours.
“We know that it’s important to change patterns of ruminative and compulsive thoughts in people with behavioural addictions, which is why treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy are likely to be of help.”
In plain terms: it’s not about willpower. It’s about patterns — and treating what’s driving them.
Signs to Watch For: When Training Turns Compulsive
There’s no single template for exercise addiction. People don’t present in one uniform way, and “looking fit” tells you precisely nothing about what’s happening mentally.
But there are common warning signs, especially when exercise becomes less about wellbeing and more about relief, guilt, or control.
Jones says a person might:
- Feel guilt and shame about missing exercise routines
- Keep secrecy around how much they’re exercising
- Continue to workout when ill, exhausted or injured
- Prioritise exercise repeatedly over family, friends, work, and recovery
That last point matters. Training that regularly trumps relationships, rest, or basic health isn’t “dedication.” It’s a red flag waving in fluorescent gym lighting.
Does Social Media Make It Worse?
Social media can be supportive — community can be a lifeline — but it can also validate compulsive habits. A life organised entirely around workouts can look, online, like “motivation,” when the reality might be anxiety management dressed up as routine.
“For people who are predisposed to eating disorders or behavioural addictions, wellness culture can appear to support and condone this type of maladaptive behaviour,” says Aroll.
“However, on its own, wellness and social media culture is not to blame – someone with such conditions will have a complex combination of factors in their life leading to their symptoms, which should be investigated fully and treated professionally.”
Jones adds that if you know you have an addictive personality, it’s worth curating your feed with intent — and unfollowing content that escalates guilt, restriction, body obsession, or punishment narratives.
What To Do If You’re Worried About Someone
The hardest part is saying something — and the most important part is saying it well. Jones recommends addressing it directly, but with care around timing, tone, and what you focus on.
“It’s important to broach the topic with them directly as their physical and mental health may be severely at risk,” says Jones. “Pick a time to talk when emotions aren’t running high, and where possible, try and avoid talking about exercise specifically or the more symptomatic aspects of exercise addiction or their eating disorder.
“Instead, focus your questions and concerns on how they’re feeling, underneath their day-to-day activities.
“Keep in mind that there are specialists out there who can help and the charity Beat has numerous resources on how to have a difficult conversation with someone.”
In other words: aim beneath the behaviour, toward the emotion.
Do We Need a Broader Conversation About “Healthy”?
Here’s the tricky bit. Health professionals rightly champion exercise for physical and mental health. But for people recovering from eating disorders — or with a vulnerability to compulsive behaviours — messaging can land differently. “More is better” can become a permission slip for harm.
“I think there needs to be a broader conversation about what it means to be ‘healthy’ and to live a ‘healthy lifestyle’,” says Jones. “What works for some, may not work for others, particularly if they’ve suffered with an eating disorder in the past and would have trouble maintaining a normal relationship to exercise and food.”
Jones says clinicians assessing physical health need to consider personal history and the intention behind the behaviour.
“If possible, we need to investigate the intention associated with exercise and unpick the feelings that arise before, during and after exercising.”
That’s the real measuring stick. Not calories burned, not streaks kept alive, not the smug serenity of a kale smoothie. If movement helps you live more freely, it’s doing its job. If it’s tightening the cage — especially in recovery — it’s time to call it what it may be: exercise addiction, and something that deserves proper support, not applause.
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