The Five Best Hiking Channels on YouTube
Walking is a great workout, but it can be slow and a bit tiring unless you’re captivated by the wonders of nature. Furthermore, it won’t get you very far if you’re on a treadmill instead of a walking path. Whether you’re walking outdoors or indoors, guided walks can be a useful way to add variety.
I love Peloton’s walking videos , but I pay $50 a month to access them (though I get much more with my subscription ). If you’re looking for a free option, YouTube has some great videos. They’re similar to the platform’s free guided runs , but you just walk. (In general, if you want to find guided walking workouts on YouTube yourself, be sure to add “outdoor” or “treadmill” to get the results that suit you.)
Prowalk Tours (749,000 subscribers)
For “walks” around a specific location , Prowalk Tours is probably the best choice. You can visit a variety of cities, markets, and other interesting places without leaving your home or gym. Launching one of these tours on your phone or iPad while you’re on the treadmill is a great way to take a break and see what other parts of the world are like. There’s no mandatory accompaniment, at least not in the audio sense. However, this channel separates the videos, so using the slider at the bottom of the player, you can see descriptions of the different places you’ll “pass.” If you like a building in Paris, you can skip straight to it. There are also other types of tours, such as boat or bike tours, so you can follow the route on a stationary bike or simply watch and enjoy.
Get Fit With Rick (843,000 subscribers)
I like this channel because it’s much more exercise-focused, yet still quite relaxed—sometimes you don’t feel like doing Pilates or intense cardio ; you just want to go for a walk. On Get Fit With Rick, you can get motivation and pacing recommendations, as well as stretches and other exercises (he might ask you to take a few sideways steps or knee touches while walking). Keep in mind that he’s stationary during the classes, so you can simply dance in place like him, but you can—and should—walk instead, tapping out the beat of the music and matching his tempo.
The variety of available modifications makes this channel suitable for any level. It’s perfect for beginners, outdoor enthusiasts, or just casual enthusiasts. The audio and video quality are high, which I always appreciate. You don’t need outstanding production values if the instruction is good, but it never hurts to be able to clearly hear and see the instructors.
Sunny Health and Fitness (194,000 subscribers)
You might be familiar with Sunny if you’ve ever searched Amazon for affordable home workout equipment. That was my first experience with the brand: I bought a small manual elliptical from them, which I used until I got my own Peloton bike . Their videos, like their products, are clear and to the point, without unnecessary details or unnecessary pretension. They’re designed specifically for treadmill users, offering cues on pacing and proper form, as well as motivation from a trainer.
IBX Running (59,000 subscribers)
IBX also made my list of the best YouTube running channels because they offer a variety of workout lengths and structures. One option? Just walking. The videos are extensive, but more importantly, they’re clear and helpful: the sidebars show you the right incline and pace, something many other channels don’t offer. This helps you stay motivated and move toward your fitness goals.
Headspace (1 million subscribers)
You might be surprised to see Headspace here, as it’s an app and platform dedicated to meditation and mental health, not exercise. However, Headspace offers several high-quality walking meditation videos that I think are worth watching. Exercise is good for your mind as well as your body, and sometimes it’s better to focus on that aspect rather than just burning calories. Think of it as a guided walking meditation. If you want to take a walk and become a little more mindful (while also enjoying the health benefits of movement), start here.