Forget running — this 15-minute walking workout is low-impact and will boost your metabolism
Exercise that you don't need to leave the house for
If running isn't your thing or you need a cardio workout that doesn't require leaving the house, you'll love the convenience and benefits of walking workouts. We've found a 15-minute, all-standing, no-repeat walking routine for you to try at home.
This routine, created by Lindsay Bomgren (known as @nourishmovelove on Instagram), is an excellent way to boost your step count in a fun and low-impact manner. Despite being low-impact, this workout is high-intensity, so grab a water bottle and a towel—things are about to heat up!
What the 15-minute walking workout below
This walking routine is formatted in a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) format, mixing 40 seconds of higher intensity walking based exercise with 10 seconds of rest. It's a great way to get you moving, increase your mobility, raise the heart rate and clock some steps.
Bomgren and her workout partner say they both clocked around 2,000 steps after the 15 minute walking routine. If you work toward a daily step count this workout is a helpful way to increase your steps in a short amount of time or close those rings on your Apple Watch.
But there isn't a need to get fixated on step count, research suggests step count doesn't matter when it comes to increasing your fitness and getting your heart rate up, but pace does. Which is what you'll get with this high-intensity indoor walking workout.
Screening the video on one of the best TV's or a laptop screen will allow you to follow along with Bomgren's demonstrations and get an in-person workout class feel from the comfort of your own home.
Including a 15-minute low-impact, high-intensity walking workout into your weekly fitness regime offers numerous benefits, especially if you want to increase your overall fitness without the need for equipment or repetitive routines.
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One of the primary benefits is its positive effect on metabolism. Walking at a brisk pace under timed intervals can elevate your heart rate and increase calorie burn both during and after the workout. This is known as the afterburn effect, where your body continues to burn calories even after the exercise is complete, helping to boost your metabolic rate over time.
Another thing this style of walking workout can benefit is your mobility. Walking, especially with varied intensity and movements, helps keep the joints flexible and the muscles around them strong. This is particularly important for maintaining range of motion and reducing the risk of injury.
Think you've got 15 minutes of walking cardio in you? Let's go.
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Jessica has been a fitness writer at Tom’s Guide since 2023, bringing three years of experience writing about health, fitness, and the great outdoors. Her passion for exercise began during her childhood, where she spent weekends hiking and competing in local athletics club events. After earning a master’s degree in journalism from Cardiff University, Jessica found the perfect way to combine her love of storytelling and fitness into a career.
Jessica is passionate about testing fitness gear and tech, using her reviews to help readers make informed buying decisions. She ran her first marathon in April 2024, finishing it in 3 hours and 48 minutes. Through her training, she’s developed a deep understanding of what it takes to grow as a runner, from effective workouts and recovery techniques to selecting the right gear for every challenge.
When she’s not at her desk, Jessica enjoys spending time in the kitchen crafting new recipes, braving cold water swims and hiking.