7 ways to walk for fitness, from rucking to the viral 'Japanese walking' trend

This article is part of our Get Fit for '26 series, in which our writers talk about the wellness and fitness challenges and experiences that are going to shape the year ahead. You can read all the articles in the series here.

If you don't have access to exercise bikes, barbells or even the best running shoes, but still want to start your fitness journey in 2026, there's always walking — the original workout. It’s the one form of exercise that’s always been accessible, intuitive, and sustainable, long before the concept of “fitness” even existed. And despite the rise of high-intensity training, smart gyms, and AI-driven coaching or fitness apps, walking remains one of the most effective and versatile ways to improve your health.

You can walk to build strength (rucking), burn fat (incline walking), or simply clear your head after a ...