Walk your way to a fit physique

SATURDAY, AUGUST 03, 2002

It sounds like a midnight infomercial cliché: walk your way to that fit and firm body you desire. But fitness expert and personal trainer Gary Himing believes you really can.

Power walking, according to Gary, is one of the best ways to get in shape as it burns more body fat than running short distances and places less stress on the body.

"Imagine, a brisk-paced stroll in your favourite park along a river or through your neighbourhood while you listen to your favourite tunes and the sun comes up or goes down. Sounds great, right? Well, it gets even better in that you are actually burning body fat," Gary says.

"Get your shoes on! Let's go!

"The best shoes for walking are those that fit you comfortably. You will need to consult a professional to find the right shoe but if you plan to walk regularly it is likely that a shoe designed for jogging will be your best bet."

Gary lists the key factors you should consider when choosing a good walking shoe:

Low, bevelled heel to assist forward foot motion
Moderate heel cushioning and good heel stability
Adequate arch support
Flexible forefoot (closer to the toe) to permit natural foot motion at toe-off for faster walking
Wide comfortable toe box
Leather upper for durability

But there's more to walking than burning fat and looking good, as Gary explains.

"Walking has numerous health benefits such as decreasing risk of diabetes, decreasing risk of heart disease and improving mental health.

"Although walking will help you decrease body fat and shape up the legs and bum, it does not exercise your upper body so you will still need to lift weights or participate in an exercise to improve upper body strength.

"A good pair of handheld dumbbells and a fit ball will do the trick. Try some of Maria Deveson Crabbe's exercises here on the Life site, many of which will help tone your upper body.

"Finally, don't forget to stretch and recover after your paced walking. Stretching, massage and even aromatherapy will help you recover from your exercise session. Have fun and I will see you on the footpaths!"