Power Walking

For Aerobic Fitness & Pleasure

Many doctors and fitness experts consider power walking to be the perfect way to stay fit. They consider it the perfect exercise because anyone can do it, it doesn’t cause trauma to your joints like running does, and injuries from doing it are extremely rare. They also point out that the human body was designed more for walking than running or jogging.

I power walk for several miles 6 days a week. Power walking is just a more aggressive and intense style of walking exercise as I see it. I chose this style so that I get the full aerobic benefits. I also try to pick routes that have gradual inclines or hills. This enhances the aerobic benefits and it strengthens a wider range of muscles.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your power walking.

• Select a route that takes you through a scenic area and/or attractive neighborhood(s). Even if this represents only a portion of your route, the destination will motivate you and you’ll be inspired as you pass through.
• For maximum aerobic and muscle conditioning, pick a route that has a few gradual inclines or hills.
• Listen to your favorite music using a portable CD or MP3 player. Or listen to your favorite station(s) on a portable FM stereo radio. I use music to enhance my walking pace and rhythm.
• Listen to personal development audio books using a portable CD player. I recently started doing this. I’ve been amazed at how many books I’ve completed and how much I’ve learned.
• Carry a bottle of purified drinking water during hot weather to keep yourself hydrated.
• Select a route that has the least amount of vehicle traffic. Exhaust fumes are bad for your health, especially in highly concentrated amounts, and the noise takes away from the pleasures of walking.
• Avoid routes that cross high traffic streets or boulevards. Drivers have a hard time seeing people on foot at sunset, after dark, and at sunrise. Vehicle headlights and direct sun can temporarily block their vision. Take this advice very seriously. I’ve been nearly hit many times!
• Avoid neglected or unattractive neighborhoods. They can lower your spirits.
• Avoid neighborhoods that may contain criminal activities, loose dogs, or unwelcoming residents.
• Carry a cell phone and/or pepper spray the first few times you walk through an unfamiliar neighborhood if you have any concerns whatsoever.

What clothes should you wear?

During warm weather months, it’s best to wear walking or athletic shorts, T-shirt or tank top, 100% cotton socks, and comfortable walking shoes.

During cold weather months, it’s best to wear athletic sweats or jeans or both, sweat shirt and jacket, knit hat/cap, gloves, 100% cotton socks, and comfortable walking shoes.

I started power walking around the time that I built my home gym. Since I wasn’t going to a health club anymore, I needed to find a replacement for the aerobic exercise that I had been getting on the treadmill and Stairmaster machines. Power walking satisfied my requirements and I found that I enjoyed it a lot more. This was particularly true for me since there was often a maintenance person vacuuming around the machines during the time I regularly went to the club. This was one of those old upright vacuums without any HEPA filters. A vacuum like this one pumps out a hideous mixture of toxic particles and dust into the air. When you’re breathing hard, like you would on the machines, all those poisons are drawn deep into your lungs at a very high rate. I pointed these things out to the management but nothing ever changed. As you can imagine, I really appreciated the fresh air once I switched to power walking.

If you’re interested in more information about my home gym, read the article on this site entitled, ”Home Gym - How to Build Your Own Inexpensively.”

There are several good books on power walking if you want to learn more. One of them that I read a number of few years ago got me interested in walking exercise. In fact, I credit this book for my easy transition from machines to sidewalks. The book is ”The Complete Guide to Walking: For Health, Weight Loss, and Fitness” by Mark Fenton.

If you’re new to exercise, just returning, or looking to add a new aerobic component to your program, power walking is an excellent choice. Give it try!

To your health and fitness,

Brad Paul

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Fitness Articles

Introduction

Fitness Motivation - How to Get & Remain Inspired!

Healthy Eating Made Simple (Part 1 - Part 2 below)

Healthy Diet Strategy for Fitness & Quality Living (Part 2 - Part 1 above)

Vitamin Supplements - Requires Little, Gives a Lot!

Lose Weight Without Trying

Home Gym - How to Build Your Own Inexpensively

Power Walking for Aerobic Fitness & Pleasure

How to Give Up Coffee Now!

Ideal Healthy Breakfast

Ideal Healthy Lunch or Dinner

To further educate yourself on these topics, check out the self improvement books page on this site. Look under the topic category heading, “Nutrition, Supplements, Weight Loss, Exercise.”

Important Notice: The information in these articles is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for any medical, psychological, dietary, nutritional, or kinetic advice by a licensed professional. You are advised to check with your doctor or other professional before beginning or re-starting any new exercise, diet, vitamin supplement, or addiction cure program.

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