Thursday is National Walk to Work Day, so dust off your walking shoes and stride out. Walking at a fast pace can burn more than 300 calories an hour and you're giving your legs a good workout. Sammy Margo, of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, picks five products to make your journey pain-free.

Ecco Ilsa Casablanca ladies shoe, £75

These shoes are suitable for walking long distances and smart enough for the office. They are made of soft leather, which accommodates the swelling of your feet as they warm up.

Stockists ecco-shoes.co.uk

1,000-mile compression sock, £19.89

Keep your feet happy with double-layer socks that will reduce friction and your chances of developing blisters, as well as drawing away perspiration. These socks provide extra support for the leg veins, encouraging blood circulation around the foot. They are also good for those in sedentary jobs, helping to avoid circulatory problems such as varicose veins.

Stockists totallysports.co.uk

Omron hj113 pedometer, £29.50

A great motivational tool, a pedometer is particularly useful to keep tabs on the number of steps you cover daily - 10,000 is the recommended amount. This digital pedometer doesn't rattle, it counts calories as well as total distance, and keeps you on your toes by monitoring your “quality exercise” steps against your “plodding”, non-aerobic steps.

Stockists heartratemonitor.co.uk

Targus XL laptop backpack, £44.99

The current fashion for large, single-strap bags is not very good for backs as they put a strain on one shoulder, which can result in curvature of the spine. So keep your spine straight, and your back pain-free with a decent rucksack. It should have two shoulder straps and one for the waist, and it should sit snugly against your back. Distribute the items in the bag evenly, with heavier items at the bottom.

Stockists laptopstuff.co.uk

Nike Clima-Fit convertible jacket, from £47

It's a good idea to have a jacket that regulates your body temperature, keeping you warm on chillier days and cool on glorious sunny days. The advanced Clima-fit technology of this Nike jacket does both, and is smart enough for casual urban wear. If you start to get too hot on your journey, you can simply unzip the sleeves and cool down. Bring on the summer.

Stockists nike.co.uk

Walking tall

While you walk, Sammy Margo's top tip is to pull in your stomach muscles, release by 50 per cent, and stay in that position during the walk. Hold yourself as tall as possible. To keep your stomach pulled in, as you release your muscles by 50 per cent tie a piece of string around your waist so that it fits snugly. Every time your stomach muscles relax too much, the string will tighten.

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