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Walking Hockey – Benefits

The Benefits of Walking Hockey

Walking Hockey offers former players a genuine way back onto the pitch, and gives newcomers an approachable route into a sport known for its friendly, sociable atmosphere. Here’s what regular players get out of it.

Fitness without the sprint

Sustained movement across a full session — moving with the ball, passing, defending — builds real cardiovascular fitness and coordination, without the running and physical intensity that put full-paced hockey out of reach for many players.

A genuine route back onto the pitch

For former players, Walking Hockey offers a real way back into the sport itself — not a generic replacement, but recognisably hockey: the stick skills, the teamwork, the tactics. That matters enormously for players who assumed their playing days were behind them.

Stick skills and coordination

Hockey has always demanded sharp hand-eye coordination and stick control, and Walking Hockey keeps both fully engaged — controlling the ball, finding a pass, timing a shot — all without the physical intensity of the full-paced game.

Social connection

Walking Hockey has built a strong reputation for its social atmosphere — players regularly describe it as one of the friendliest walking sports to join. A regular session means a consistent group of people, a shared purpose, and a genuine sense of community.

Lower injury risk

Removing running and physical contact, along with keeping the ball and stick low, significantly reduces the injury risk associated with full-paced hockey, making Walking Hockey a realistic, sustainable option for players managing long-term health conditions or returning to sport after injury — with a doctor’s guidance where relevant.

A structured reason to stay active

One of the most underrated benefits of Walking Hockey is simply having a fixed, recurring commitment to be active, rather than relying on an open-ended personal fitness goal that’s easy to let slip. A weekly session, with teammates who notice if you’re not there, tends to be far more sustainable long-term than exercising alone. Given Walking Hockey’s particularly strong social reputation, many players find that commitment builds naturally — you keep coming back for the people as much as the exercise.

Next steps

Curious what a session actually involves? Read our getting started guide, or find a club near you. Find Walking Hockey Near You

FAQ

How often should I play to see benefits?

Most players attend a weekly session, which is generally enough to notice genuine improvements in fitness, stick control, and mood within the first couple of months. Some players attend more than once a week if their area has multiple clubs available, but weekly attendance is a solid, sustainable starting point for most people easing back into activity.

Is Walking Hockey enough exercise on its own?

A weekly session provides a genuinely good foundation of low-impact cardiovascular activity and hand-eye coordination work, and combined with general daily movement, many players find it’s a meaningful contribution to staying active. Everyone’s exercise needs differ, though, so it’s worth discussing your overall activity levels with a doctor if you have specific health or fitness goals.

Will Walking Hockey help with weight management?

Sustained movement over a full session — moving with the ball, passing, defending — does burn real calories, and the social, team-based nature of the sport means many players find it far easier to keep attending regularly than solo exercise like a treadmill or home workout. Consistency tends to matter more than any single session’s intensity, and that’s exactly where Walking Hockey’s famously friendly atmosphere helps.

Can it help with mental health as well as physical health?

Yes — Walking Hockey has built one of the strongest social reputations of any walking sport, and players very frequently cite the friendships and sense of community as being just as valuable as the physical benefits. Regular contact with a consistent group, a shared sense of purpose each week, and the mental engagement of the game all contribute to wellbeing well beyond fitness alone.

More Walking Hockey Guides

Explore other walking sports

Last updated: August 2026 — This guide draws on guidance from national governing bodies where available, established club practices from across our directory, and real feedback from the walking sports community. Walking Sports Hub has been connecting players for over 5 years, with 3,500+ sessions and clubs listed across 8 walking sports. Clubs and players are welcome to submit updates or corrections. Learn more about Walking Sports Hub

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