Which is more beneficial - walking 6 miles in the morning - or 3 miles twice a day?

I think dividing it might boost your metabolism more. I have read that 10 minutes 3 times a day is as good as 30 minutes once a day but that is hard to credit.

Both are great. Studies have shown (of course I can’t quote them, but they are always handing them out in my diet class) that short bouts are just as effective as long bouts of exercise.

I have no stats to quote, but I’m thinking that twice a day might be more beneficial. I could keep up a good pace for 3 miles, but after 5 I would be slowing down. So I would do 3 miles twice a day and keep up a fast pace more easily.

I think the 3 miles twice a day would be better because you can really push yourself for the 3 miles and not tire out as fast. I would suggest interval walking and going up and down stairs or hills on your walk. Walk as fast as you can for 2 minutes , then reover at a ore moderate speed for 2 minutes and keep going.

It’s basically the same.

It’s hard for me to say. It might be pretty much the same in calories burned, or a continuous 6 miles might burn more, since you have no re-starting up time for your body to get into full swing burning the fat and building the muscle. However, I don’t know how long it takes the body to get into “workout mode.” The other thing that @chyna pointed out, is that if you can’t keep going for 6 miles, you might burn less than 2 sets of 3 miles where you were able to go full steam for each run.

But if you’re walking, I’d think a continuous 6 miles would be best.

It depends on the goal. Most articles I have read on muscle toning and general health say it doesn’t matter either way. If you are specifically trying to increase your endurance the continuous walking would be better.

This has proved more difficult than I thought. It seems split between yay, nay and doesn’t matter. Most of my searches turned up reasons for splitting it up – but it depends on the kind of walking and cardio program around it.

I was thinking of a regular walk – 30 to 45 minutes twice a day. Would it be better than a straight one hour walk?

If doing a regular walk, I would do it all in one walk. Since you aren’t power walking, getting tired wouldn’t be an issue with you.