# Walking Counts as Exercise?

> 4 fitness experts agree walking qualifies as exercise when intentional.
- Title: Walking Counts as Exercise? · Men's Health | Shortify
- Summary: 4 fitness experts agree walking qualifies as exercise when intentional. Walking counts as exercise only when it's intentional and structured for fitness…
- Keywords: walking, exercise, intentional, fitness, steps, cardio, health, walking as exercise, Counts, Men's Health
- Source: Men's Health — https://menshealth.com/fitness/a73978849/walking-as-exercise
- Author: Jocelyn Solis-Moreira
- Published: 2026-10-01T16:17:56+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: walking, exercise, intentional, fitness, steps, cardio, health, walking as exercise
## Does walking count as exercise?
The debate over whether walking qualifies as exercise has heated fitness circles with conflicting opinions.

> ten out of ten for general health
## Max Lugavere rates walking as exercise
Influencer Max Lugavere says walking is a form of exercise rated ten out of ten for general health.

> ten out of ten
## Brady Holmer calls walking overrated
Run-fluencer Brady Holmer argues walking is great but massively overrated for cardio.

> massively overrated
## Andrew Huberman says walking isn't enough
Andrew Huberman states walking is necessary but not sufficient for exercise and 7,000 steps isn't enough.

> necessary but not sufficient
## Ebenezer Samuel explains walking's role
Fitness director Ebenezer Samuel says walking can be a workout for some but not others depending on fitness level.

> For some populations, it can definitely be a workout
## What qualifies as exercise?
Exercise requires intentional, structured activity that overloads body systems for adaptation.

> Activity is any movement we do
## Domenic Angelino on walking as exercise
Domenic Angelino says walking can be the backbone of fitness if done intentionally and structured.

> The differentiating factor is really whether it's intentional and structured
## Pat Davidson on walking intensity
Pat Davidson states walking isn't exercise unless planned, intentional, and progressive with a goal.

> Movement is exercise if it is planned, intentional, programmed, aimed at being progressed
## Mario Mejia on walking for cardio
Mario Mejia says walking becomes exercise when intentional and can improve heart health for beginners.

> WHEN IT'S INTENTIONAL, that’s when walking becomes a form of exercise
## Kyle Sanchez on intensity levels
Kyle Sanchez emphasizes intensity as the key factor separating walking from exercise.

> I THINK THAT intensity is probably the most important part that is going to separate the two
## Walking for health benefits
Daily walking improves heart health and reduces mortality risk for most people.

> Accumulation of a threshold number of daily steps per day, somewhere around 8,000
## Walking as accessible exercise
Walking is an accessible, cost-effective way to start exercise for people of all ages.

> Walking is so accessible and cost-effective that it’s an easy segue for people to start moving their bodies
## Key takeaway

Walking counts as exercise only when it's intentional and structured for fitness goals.