Your First Step to Fitness: Why Walking is the Easiest Way to Get Moving
I get it – you have lectures to work on, assignments to get done, and exams to study for. Being a university student is not easy, and many of us will put off exercising to prioritize other responsibilities.
Sometimes the best way to reset is as simple as walking, even if you are a beginner at fitness. Walking is an easy and accessible way to take your first step to this journey (literally.) In this blog post, we will cover the benefits of walking, introduce nearby trails around the UTM campus, and provide some information about the UTM Walks program!
Why Walk? Benefits for Beginners
As simple as it sounds, walking comes with a wide range of benefits. Here are just a few of them:
- Physical Health: Regular walking can help you maintain a healthy weight, lose body fat, and even prevent conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure.
- Mental Health: Walking – especially outdoors – helps you to slow down, reflect, and connect with nature (drop your phone and go touch some grass.) It can also support your mood, memory, and sleep.
- Accessibility: Walking is one of the simplest form of exercises. There is no equipment needed, no fixed schedule, and most importantly, it’s inclusive to all fitness levels.
Walking Around the UTM Campus
One of the best features of the UTM campus is all the amazing trails we have access to. The UTM Nature Trail, for instance, is a popular choice for walking enthusiasts, and is located just north of Principal’s Road. The trail is 3.4km in length with a 27m elevation gain, which makes for a nice and breezy hike.
Along the trail, you will be surrounded by the beauty of the Erindale forest, with the sounds of nature bringing peace and tranquility to your mind. This trail is perfect for either a solo or social activity with peers.
When the weather is not the greatest, UTM also offers indoor options for walks. At the level above the Fitness Centre, you will find the UTM Indoor Running Track. Despite its name, the track is not just for running! It is separated into three lanes: slow, medium, and fast, so you can choose whichever that suits your pace or mood!
The Nature Trail and the Running Track are just two options to choose from as walking can happen anywhere—hallways, within buildings, or even around campus. There are no fixed rules or paths, and that’s one of the great features of walking!
UTM Walks Program
UTM Walks is a simple yet effective way to kickstart your walking journey. It’s not just a fitness activity but a chance to practice mindfulness, build community, and explore nature in creative, engaging ways.
The UTM Walks team regularly collaborates with student groups, UTM departments, and other community partners to create interesting and educational walking experiences for students.
During our weekly walks, you can expect different themes and topics such as gratitude journaling, identifying landmarks along the nature path, and even an “Eye-Spy Scavenger Hunt” where we mark off items spotted on the trail.
BONUS Tip: Did you know you can earn CCR recognition by simply participating in four (4) UTM Walks throughout the year and completing a short reflection survey? Click here to learn more.
Upcoming Special Edition Walks
We’re delighted to share that we have several special edition walks coming up. Learn more and register your spot now!
UTM Walks: Guided Fall Photography
Co-presented with the RAWC Communications Team
- Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
- Time: 2 pm – 3 pm
- Location: Meet at the RAWC Lobby.
Join us for a relaxing walk, learn photography tips from the RAWC Communications Team, and capture the beautiful autumn colours around campus!
UTM Walks: Campus Birdwatching
Co-presented with Prof. Sanja Hinic-Frlog, UTM Biology
- Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
- Time: 12 pm – 1 pm
- Location: Meet at the RAWC Lobby.
Join us for a birdwatching walk led by UTM Biology Professor Sanja Hinic-Frlog! Explore campus trails, observe local birdlife, and connect with other UTM students — no experience or equipment required.
Tips to Get Started
Building a habit or starting a routine takes time and effort. Starting small and setting an achievable goal is the key to consistency. If your goal is to walk more, start with just a 10-15 minute walk and gradually build from there.
Finally, try to make your walks enjoyable as possible! Walk with a buddy, wear comfy shoes, and wear headphones if you want to jam out to some music. And don’t forget to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.
Quote of the week:
“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” —Friedrich Nietzsche
Walking is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to begin your fitness journey. Whether you explore one of our campus trails or join us for an upcoming walk, you’ll be taking that first step with a supportive community by your side. Every step counts – let’s take it together!
