I travel more than I like to admit, and, like traveling (well, because of traveling), tend to eat more unhealthy than I’d like to admit. When I spend time in an airport, I try as hard has possible to move around, given that I’ll either be coming off of, or departing on a small metal tube where I’ll have to stay seated hours on end.
Walking 
It’s that easy, and something I really enjoy doing. Let me share with you my DFW example – for those that have flown into this enormous airport, you’ll know two things: a) the terminals are far apart and b) the fastest way to get between terminals is using the SkyLink, the above ground train. Not me – if my layover is long enough, I’ll walk between terminals. If I don’t have a specific terminal to head to for a connection, I’ll always walk to Terminal D, where the American Express Centurion Lounge is. Walking between terminals has to be a good mile or so, end on end, so it’s an easy way to burn a few calories on the way. Of course, you could always use the small exercise room in the AAdmiral’s Club in Terminal A, though that’s no fun, if you still want to people watch, see all the departing and arriving flights, and burn a few extra pounds off carrying your roll aboard behind you. 🙂
In many cases, I’ll arrive early at an airport to walk around at the ticketing/check-in desks, since it’s always so fascinating to see the departing flights, the queues, and the destination boards.
How Many Calories?
An average person weighing 200 pounds will burn 57 calories by walking 15 minutes. The same person at 150 pounds burns 43 calories, and that’s at the slowest pace. While it might not be the fastest way to get around, it’s a great way to kill time on a layover, and a way to get moving, when you know you’re only going to be sitting on your next flight.
You may find useful this list of the most walkable cities in the US, if you’re looking for a good destination to go to for a weekend.
Do you walk around in the terminal or between terminals in airports?
Jamie Larounis is an avid traveler, blogger and miles/points educator. Traveling well over 100,000 miles a year and staying in hotels for over 100 nights, he leverages miles, points and other deals to fly in first class cabins, and stay in 5-star hotels. The Forward Cabin shares his experiences, musings, reviews, tips, tricks, resources and industry news with you, the fellow traveler.
@james Have you ever tried airport gyms during layovers? At ORD the Hilton has a nice one just a few minutes walk from T2/T3, and in ZRH the Radisson has a gym and spa. What other airports have you found something similar?