The Get-Moving Walking Plan for Beginners

The Get-Moving Walking Plan for Beginners
Written by Ron Martin
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4 minutes

Working out doesn't need to be extreme to provide great results. Simply walking for 30 minutes at a pace that gets your heart rate up can help lower risk of high cholesterol and blood pressure. This Get-Moving Walking Plan for beginners is a four week guide to get your legs beneath you and get you moving! As always, though, if you have questions about your health or whether this walking plan is right for you, be sure to check with your physician.

LEVEL: Beginner

SESSION TIMES: 30 to 35 minutes

Week 1

Sunday

Walk at a steady, moderate pace for 30 minutes.
RPE*: 5

Monday

Walk for 5 minutes at a moderate pace, then do 5 minutes at a brisk pace. Repeat 2x more for a total of 30 minutes.
RPE: 6

Tuesday

Walk or cross- train** for 30 minutes—or take the day off. Your choice.
RPE: 5

Wednesday

Walk for 15 minutes at a moderate pace, then do 10 briskly, followed by 5 fast, for a total of 30 minutes.
RPE: 5–7

Thursday

Walk at a steady, moderate pace for 30 minutes.
RPE: 5

Friday

Walk or cross- train for 30 minutes—or take the day off. Your choice.
RPE: 5

Saturday

Walk at a steady, moderate pace for 30 minutes.
RPE: 5

Note: For your convenience, this guide has been converted to be easier to read on mobile. If you would like to view it as an image grid, click here.

Week 2

Sunday

Walk at a steady, moderate pace for 30 minutes.
RPE: 5

Monday

Walk for 5 minutes at a moderate pace, then do 5 minutes at a brisk pace. Repeat 2x more for a total of 30 minutes.
RPE: 6

Tuesday

Walk or cross- train for 30 minutes—or take the day off. Your choice.
RPE: 5

Wednesday

Walk for 20 minutes at a moderate pace, then do 10 briskly, followed by 5 fast, for a total of 35 minutes.
RPE: 5–7

Thursday

Walk for 25 minutes at a moderate pace, then go briskly for 10 minutes, for a total of 35 minutes.
RPE: 5–6

Friday

Walk or cross- train for 30 minutes—or take the day off. Your choice.
RPE: 5

Saturday

Walk at a steady, moderate pace for 30 minutes.
RPE: 5

Week 3

Sunday

Walk at a steady, moderate pace for 30 minutes.
RPE: 5

Monday

Walk for 5 minutes at a moderate pace, then go briskly for 10. Repeat 2x more for a total of 30 minutes.
RPE: 6

Tuesday

Walk or cross- train for 30 minutes—or take the day off. Your choice.
RPE: 5

Wednesday

Walk for 20 minutes at a moderate pace, then do 10 briskly, followed by 5 fast, for a total of 35 minutes.
RPE: 5–7

Thursday

Walk for 25 minutes at a moderate pace, then go briskly for 10 minutes, for a total of 35 minutes.
RPE: 5–6

Friday

Walk or cross- train for 30 minutes—or take the day off. Your choice.
RPE: 5

Saturday

Walk at a steady, moderate pace for 30 minutes.
RPE: 5

Week 4

Sunday

Walk at a steady, moderate pace for 30 minutes.
RPE: 5

Monday

Walk for 9 minutes briskly; recover for 1 minute. Repeat 2x more, for a total of 30 minutes.
RPE: 6

Tuesday

Walk or cross- train for 30 minutes—or take the day off. Your choice.
RPE: 5

Wednesday

Walk for 20 minutes at a moderate pace, then do 10 briskly, followed by 5 fast, for a total of 35 minutes.
RPE: 5–7

Thursday

Walk for 25 minutes at a moderate pace, then go briskly for 10 minutes, for a total of 35 minutes.
RPE: 5–6

Friday

Walk or cross- train for 30 minutes—or take the day off. Your choice.
RPE: 5

Saturday

Walk at a steady, moderate pace for 30 minutes.
RPE: 5


*RPE: Rate of Perceived Exertion. RPE is a self-measurement of how hard you feel you’re working out, with 0 being no effort and 10 being heart-pounding, sweat-dripping super hard. Aiming for an RPE of at least 5 will help produce the best weight-loss results.

**Cross-train: Choose an activity, other than walking, that you enjoy. It can be cardio or resistance moves—anything from swimming to yoga.

Adapted from Family Circle.

© Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

The information and tness plan provided in this document are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your physician or other quali ed health provider before beginning a tness plan.

Written by:

Ron Martin

Director of Marketing

Ron Martin is the Director of Marketing at Kaneka Ubiquinol. Ron’s dedication to lifelong learning and belief that “one cannot know too much” inspired a decades-long career centered around educating the public about health.

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