OUTTAKES: Sport by sport: Walk this way
By Amy GoldHammer
Sep 1, 2005, 14:05
It may not be sexy, but walking is becoming trendier than an iPod-toting, low-rise-wearing teenager. More than 40 million Americans walked for fitness last year, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association. What’s the appeal? “Walking is something all people of all ages and abilities can enjoy,” says Shirley Archer, wellness expert at Stanford University and author of The Walking Deck: 50 Ways to Walk Yourself Healthy.
Besides that, it’s dirt-cheap. “It is a minimalist activity that doesn’t require a lot of equipment. It allows for spontaneity and simplicity,” says Archer. And, unless you’re really clumsy, there’s little chance you can get hurt. If you can’t bring yourself to slow down enough to walk on a regular basis, you can at least try it when you need a break from high-octane sports. “It’s a great recovery tactic and great for rest days.”
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