Does walking or running burn more fat?

This is a question that is debated quite frequently. The answer might surprise you.

There is no concrete answer to this question, but it basically boils down to this: you will burn barely 100 calories per mile, no matter how fast you’re going.

Now, there are some caveats. For example, a person who weighs 105 pounds will burn fewer calories per mile than a person who weighs 205 pounds, simply because the heavier person is carrying more weight. All things being equal, though, the thinner person doesn’t need to eat as many calories in a day, so it balances out.

Another factor to consider, ahem, is that the human body acclimates to any stress placed on it. Other things being equal, the better you run, the fewer calories you’ll burn. So if you’re a champion runner, you’ll burn fewer calories in a run than someone running for the first time. Again, all things being equal, the champion runner will probably be able to run a greater distance, thus balancing the equation again.

There is another camp that will argue that walking will actually burn more fat because it is a lower intensity exercise that can be sustained for a longer period of time. The key to losing weight, research has shown, is that it’s not the intensity of the training that counts, but the cumulative duration of the exercise. So it might actually be more beneficial for some people to walk simply because they can go a longer distance without getting tired.

The good thing about running is that it is excellent for your health. There are great cardiovascular benefits to a moderately intense workout. The bad thing about running is that it can be hard on some people’s knees.

The bottom line? Do what you like. If the thought of running gives you chills, but you enjoy a nice long walk, then by all means walk away. The point is to pick a workout that you stick with, and no one will stick with something they hate doing for long.