Walking on sand burns up to 2.5 times more energy than pavement, turning an easy 30-minute barefoot beach stroll into a surprisingly intense workout

A 1998 study found that walking on dry sand can require up to 2.5 times more metabolic energy than walking on a firm surface. But there is no scientific basis for saying that 30 minutes on the beach is universally more effective than an hour at the gym. Here’s why a simple 30-minute barefoot beach stroll can feel surprisingly challenging and how sand changes the way your body moves.