Walking Programs for All Levels

5 Exercise Plans to Suit Your Needs
-- By Jen Mueller, Certified Prenatal and Postpartum Fitness Expert

Walking is an ideal form of exercise for many reasons. You don't need special equipment to do it, it can be done by almost anyone, and you can do it almost anywhere! Whether you're just starting a walking program or you've been doing it awhile, find a BabyFit walking program that's right for you!

A Heart Healthy Program

(Beginner)

This is a great introductory program if you want to slowly increase your time spent walking. Each week builds on the previous one. If you find a particular week's pattern too tiring, repeat it before going on to the next week. If you are walking hills, you should slow your pace and/or intensity to balance out the increased effort. You don't have to complete the program in 12 weeks.

Source: Exercise and Your Heart, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/American Heart Association, NIH Publication No. 93-1677.

Week	Warm Up (min)	Brisk Walking (min)	Cool Down (min)	Total Exercise Time	Number of days/wk
1	5	5	5	15	3
2	5	7	5	17	3
3	5	9	5	19	3
4	5	11	5	21	3
5	5	13	5	23	3
6	5	15	5	25	3
7	5	18	5	28	3
8	5	20	5	30	3
9	5	23	5	33	3
10	5	26	5	36	3
11	5	28	5	38	3
12	5	30	5	40	3

Time To Start Moving!

(Beginner)

This is a great introductory program if you want to slowly increase the distance you walk. This program can be easy to use on a treadmill, with each week building on the previous one. If you find a particular week's pattern too tiring, repeat it before going on to the next week. If you are walking hills, you should slow your pace and/or intensity to balance out the increased effort. You don't have to complete the program in 12 weeks.

Week	Warm Up (min)	Brisk Walking (miles)	Cool Down (min)	Number of days/wk
1	5	1	5	3
2	5	1.25	5	3
3	5	1.25	5	3
4	5	1.5	5	3
5	5	1.5	5	3
6	5	1.75	5	3
7	5	1.75	5	3
8	5	2	5	3
9	5	2	5	3
10	5	2.25	5	3
11	5	2.25	5	3
12	5	2.5	5	3

A Step Up

(intermediate)

This program starts with a longer walk than the beginner program and builds to a higher level. It also increases the number of days/week from 3 up to as many as 5. If you find a particular week's pattern too tiring, repeat it before going on to the next week. If you are walking hills, you should slow your pace and/or intensity to balance out the increased effort. You don't have to complete the program in 12 weeks.

Week	Warm Up (min)	Brisk Walking (min)	Cool Down (min)	Total Exercise Time	Number of days/wk
1	5	10	5	20	3
2	5	15	5	25	4
3	5	20	5	30	4
4	5	20	5	30	4-5
5	5	25	5	35	4
6	5	30	5	40	4
7	5	30	5	40	4-5
8	5	35	5	45	4
9	5	40	5	50	4
10	5	40	5	50	4-5
11	5	45	5	55	4
12	5	45	5	55	4-5

Variety is the Spice of Life!

(intermediate & advanced)

This program adds variety to your workout by changing your exercise duration each session. By mixing longer and shorter sessions, you will be able to progress in your program more quickly. If you find a particular week's pattern too tiring, repeat it before going on to the next week. If you are walking hills, you should slow your pace and/or intensity to balance out the increased effort. You don't have to complete the program in 12 weeks.

*each Day Varies

Week	Warm Up (min)	Brisk Walking (*min per day)	Cool Down (min)	Total Exercise Time	Number of days/wk
1	5	25/20/25	5	35/30/35	3
2	5	25/20/30	5	35/30/40	3
3	5	25/20/35	5	35/30/45	3
4	5	25/20/40	5	35/30/50	3
5	5	25/20/45	5	35/30/55	3
6	5	30/25/45	5	40/35/55	3
7	5	35/30/45	5	45/40/55	3
8	5	40/35/45	5	50/45/55	3
9	5	45/40/45	5	55/50/55	3
10	5	45/40/50	5	55/50/60	3
11	5	50/45/55	5	60/55/65	3
12	5	55/50/60	5	65/60/70	3

Fun With Intervals

(advanced)

NOTE: This is a postpartum exercise program. This program incorporates interval training (bursts of activity followed by recovery periods), which will help you burn more calories. If you find you don't need the full 2 minutes for recovery, slowly decrease that amount of time. If you find a particular week's pattern too tiring, repeat it before going on to the next week. If you are walking hills, you should slow your pace and/or intensity to balance out the increased effort. You don't have to complete the program in 12 weeks.

*Each 10 second/2 min is considered a set.

**After week 12 is completed, continue to increase the "fast as possible" time and/or decrease your recovery time.

Week	Warm Up (min)	"Fast as Possible" Walking (seconds)	Brisk Recovery Walking (min)	# of fast/ recovery sets*	Cool Down (min)	Total Exercise Time	Number of days/wk
1	5	10	2	8	5	27:10	3
2	5	10	2	8	5	27:10	3
3	5	15	2	9	5	30:15	3
4	5	15	2	9	5	30:15	3
5	5	20	2	10	5	33:20	3
6	5	20	2	10	5	33:20	3
7	5	20	2	11	5	35:40	3
8	5	25	2	11	5	36:35	3
9	5	25	2	11	5	36:35	3
10	5	25	2	12	5	39:00	3
11	5	30	2	12	5	40:00	3
12	5	30	2	12	5	40:00	3

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Member Comments About this Article

	"I am a fitness trainer so I was used to training really hard, but I learned VERY quickly that I had to decrease my workout exertion by about 70% after I became pregnant. This was very difficult for me but my baby's well-being is what is important. I walk about 4 days a week (jog on the good days) and do very light weight training/toning a couple of days to keep my muscles strong. I know this will "curb my appetite" until I am able to begin a new workout regimen post-baby. I have heard from ot..." -- LVICK0516

	"I started out doing Leslie Sansone's 2-mile interval workout every other day. I've been able to work up to her 4-mile Super Express workout. Since my 8th month of pregnancy I've consistently been doing the 4-mile walk every other day alternating with moderate weight lifting. I never get out of breath or overheated and I feel great and I'm sure it will help with my labor and delivery!" -- PESKYVEGETARIAN

	"When during your pregnancy is it still ok to start exercising? I am 17 weeks along and have just gotten a hold of the morning sickness and fatigue, (not to mention I found out that I am seriously anemic). " -- OBLIVIOUSANGELA

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About The Author

Jen Mueller
Jen received her master's in health promotion and education from the University of Cincinnati. As a certified personal trainer, she also holds a certification in prenatal and postpartum exercise. Jen has two children and enjoys running marathons.