The 6-6-6 walking trend: How to efficiently complete 10,000 steps every day for better health, know its surprising benefits

A new walking method, dubbed the "6-6-6 walking trend," is gaining attention as a way to achieve daily step goals and improve overall health. Experts suggest this approach can make reaching 10,000 steps more efficient. The 6-6-6 method involves a 60-minute walk, scheduled for either 6 a.m. or 6 p.m. This routine also includes a 6-minute warm-up at a moderate pace and a 6-minute cool-down to aid recovery.

Walking is the best type of preventive physical activity, according to experts like Dr. Milica McDowell, a Certified Exercise Physiologist and Vice President of Operations at Gait Happens. Although it may seem like a lot, walking 10,000 steps a day is actually quite important for your physical and overall health. You can get your 10k steps more quickly, efficiently, and with less effort by using a well-liked technique known as the 6-6-6 walking method.

What is the 6-6-6 walking method? Here's how to efficiently complete 10k steps

It has been repeatedly demonstrated that walking more than 3,500 steps a day can lower the risk of cardiovascular and all-cause death. She said that it's an "amazing" method to take charge of your health and that it's affordable and accessible to the majority. But what is the 6-6-6 walking exercise? What particular advantages does it offer?

How does the 6-6-6 routine work?

The 6-6-6 walking routine entails walking for 60 minutes, either at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m., according to Mike Julom, an ACE-certified personal trainer, CrossFit athlete, and founder of ThisIsWhyImFit. It also contains a 6-minute cool-down to aid in recuperation and a 6-minute warm-up at a modest pace to help you ease into walking.

According to Julom, "the majority of the exercise is at a faster, brisk pace to raise the heart rate and challenge the cardio system." "It's intended to be brief and easy, particularly for individuals who wish to fit exercise into a hectic day."

Since the American College of Sports Medicine and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention both recommend 150 minutes of exercise each week, McDowell claims that the 6-6-6 program provides a means of achieving this goal. "It helps walkers find the time to fit the walk in before their day or schedule gets crazy by doing it early 6 a.m. or late 6 p.m.," she explained.

What are its health benefits?

One of the easiest and most accessible types of exercise is walking, and the 6-6-6 approach offers the following advantages:

Heart Health: Regular walking enhances circulation and reduces blood pressure.

Weight management: When done briskly, walking burns calories and aids in maintaining a healthy weight.

Mental Health: Walking improves mental health by lowering anxiety and depression.

Joint-Friendly: People with joint pain can safely walk because it has less impact.

Better Sleep: Walking at regular intervals promotes healthier sleep habits.

The 6-6-6 approach also helps avoid muscle pain and stiffness by incorporating warm-up and cool-down.