Categories / Everyday movement
Featured in: Exercise for desk workers, Exercise for busy people
Walking Meetings
Take calls and meetings on foot.
How to start
Suggest walking while you talk, for calls or one-to-one meetings. Take a loop outside or a corridor.
How to progress
Make it a weekly habit.
What the evidence says
Evidence: limited
We found no trials of this particular activity. It encourages walking. Our Walking category applies. The WHO recommends 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity a week for adults, and 60 minutes a day for children.
Take care: Watch your footing and traffic. Keep notes simple.
Sources
12-week starter plan
A walk-and-talk each week.
Tick each week as you finish it; your ticks are saved on this device only. Repeat a week if it felt hard. Weeks 4, 8 and 12 hold steady so you can settle. This is a general plan, not medical advice.
Add reminders to your calendar
Pick your days and time. You will download a calendar file that adds 12 weeks of reminders to Google, Apple or Outlook calendar.
Calories and weekly minutes
Enter your details for a rough estimate. Based on about 3 METs (Typical effort for this activity (estimated)). Real figures vary by 20% or more between people.
Tips and common mistakes
Tips
- Plan a loop.
- Keep groups small.
- Carry a phone.
Common mistakes
- Choosing busy roads.
- Carrying heavy bags.
- Skipping weather planning.
Kit and cost
Free Approximate UK prices.
- Comfortable shoes
- A phone
- A waterproof
Frequently asked questions
Does it work for everyone?
Not for every meeting, but many one-to-ones can.
Is it exercise?
It is light to moderate walking.
What about notes?
Use your phone.
Good for: Mood & stress Heart & fitness
Compare with similar options
| Walking Meetings | Dog Walking | Post-Meal Walk | Standing and Sit-Break Routines | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical session | 30 min × 3/wk | 40 min × 7/wk | 10 min × 7/wk | 2 min × 10/wk |
| Effort | ●○○○○ | ●○○○○ | ●○○○○ | ●○○○○ |
| Cost | Free | Low cost | Free | Free |
| Equipment | No equipment | No equipment | No equipment | No equipment |
| Impact | Low impact | Low impact | Low impact | Low impact |
| Fitness needed | Any level | Any level | Any level | Any level |
| Evidence | limited | limited | moderate | limited |