Wrong footwear

Wearing the correct footwear for your activity is most important as it cuts down the risk of injuries, says Rewse-Smith. “If you already have shock-absorbing insoles, brilliant, you’re one step ahead, but always test the new footwear with them.

“Walking shoes should be flexible to allow your foot to roll from heel to toe. They should be larger than your normal shoes due to your feet swelling – you need to be able to wiggle your toes a little and make sure they don’t pinch or rub to avoid blisters. Leaving 1cm of room from the top of your longest toe to the end of the footwear allows for any swelling.”

Here are our suggestions for the best walking shoes.

Not drinking enough water

“Drink at least a glass of water every hour throughout the day to stay hydrated,” advises Rewse-Smith. “It’s a good idea to drink water ten minutes before your walk. During your walk drink at least a cup of water every 20 minutes and when finished drink again.”

Overdoing it

A single step exerts a force twice our bodyweight; over a single day, our feet can therefore support the equivalent of hundreds of tons, explains Rewse-Smith.

“In the end, overtraining will put you off and you will lose interest or get injured. Consider shock-absorbing running shoes or insoles. Our insole design transmits impact forces horizontally through the insole, greatly reducing shockwaves through the leg. The technology, endorsed by Usain Bolt, provides 89% more protection per mm. In comparison, standard insoles allow forces to be transmitted vertically through the shoe, creating shockwaves and trauma through the leg.”

Walking tips: 7 common walking mistakes to avoid to prevent injury and improve posture