getting started

Walking to work gives you a good breath of fresh air, it keeps you healthy and toned and relieves stress, ready for the day ahead. A short walk will release endorphins – a natural feel-good hormone – which will give you that morning boost that beats a cup of coffee hands down. With over half our muscles designed for walking, whatever your age, you can step up and start feeling good about your health.

Costs

You don't have to tax your shoes. (Or pay for an MOT, or a service, or pay for petrol costs). If you’re walking a few miles each day then you may go through a bit more ‘shoe leather’ than normal, and you might want to buy a decent lightweight waterproof jacket and a water bottle.

You may even trade in your gym membership in favour of walking more often. That'll make a nice holiday fund!

Clothing tips

The distance you travel will decide what kit you need to buy for your walk to work.

A good pair of walking shoes will be needed if you’re walking for over 2 miles, a decent pair of light trainers should be enough for journeys under this distance. Above all, make sure that your shoes are comfortable and fit well.

Check the weather forecast and wear suitable clothes: not too heavy in the summer, and not too light in the winter. You may wish to pop a waterproof in your bag – though you won’t get wet as often as you might think.

Stay safe

Walking is a safe and enjoyable way to travel, and is great for your health. But just like driving or cycling, it’s a smart choice to keep your safety in mind.

• Plan your route before you leave to ensure you know where you’re going.
• Listening to music or talking on the phone can cause distractions. Take care and keep the volume down to hear what is going on around you and spot cars on the move.
• Take a small bottle of water with you on your journey, in case you get thirsty.
• Being visible to traffic is essential. If you have to walk on the road, for example if there is no pavement, then make sure you are facing oncoming traffic. If you regularly walk after dark along unlit roads, then wearing a reflective ‘bib’ or reflective anklets may be wise.
• Take routes that are well lit and that you feel comfortable walking along. If you see a short cut that you don’t feel comfortable with, then take the long way around that you know and trust.
• If you are trying regular walking for the first time, why not ask a friend or colleague to walk with you? It’ll give you a chance to catch up on the gossip and make the journey go faster.