Pace for the vertically challenged

Setting a pace with a taller (or shorter) partner

This has driven me crazy for years. A walking speed of 4 miles per hour is considered a great workout speed for most walkers. But, at 4 miles per hour on our treadmill, my husband is taking a nice slow stride, while at the same speed I’m almost running! He is 6′ 1″ and I am 5′ 2″. Could you clear this up for me?

I know just what you mean. I used to walk with friend of mine, who was a tall man of at least 6′ 2″. He would stride along, carrying on a conversation, and I’d be huffing and puffing just to keep up. His legs were really long and his stride length was probably twice mine. While he could walk a mile in 12 minutes (a racewalking pace), I was walking fast at 15 minutes per mile.

Simply put, body type and level of fitness combine to make a workout’s difficulty level relative. What may be a stroll to one person can be a strenuous pace to another.

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