Walking is a popular form of exercise for good reason: It's low impact, accessible, and free aside from a pair of supportive shoes.

However, a casual stroll around the neighborhood may not be intense enough to improve heart health. Here’s how vigorously you need to be walking to elevate your heart rate and reap meaningful benefits.

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How to Know If You're Walking Fast Enough

Most adults will need to walk faster than 3 miles per hour to reduce their heart disease risk. However, it can be hard to gauge how fast you're walking unless you are on a treadmill.

One way to assess your pace is to track your heart rate with a fitness device. To estimate your optimal heart rate zone for exercise, start by subtracting your age from 220 to get your maximum heart rate.

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