Walking is one of those non-strenuous, low-intensity exercises that fit into the active recovery category, as it alleviates muscle stiffness and promotes joint mobility, says Cowan.

That makes sense. If you’ve done a strenuous 10K on Saturday morning, a gentle stroll on Sunday morning can help to loosen up tight hips and ankles more than sitting on the sofa. But as more and more of us really get into walking as a daily activity in itself, the question is: do we ever need to take a rest day from walking?

According to Juju Sheikh, a personal trainer and founder of Cloud Nine Collective, the answer’s not as straightforward as it would be for resting after running or strength training. “Walking is a beautiful, natural form of movement but if you’re taking it up a notch – think power walking or long, uphill hikes – then rest days become crucial.”

Do you need to take a rest day from walking? The experts suggest it might be a good idea