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Power Walk Your Way To Great Health And Fitness

What is Power Walking?

Power walking is a sport in and of itself. There are power walking organizations and associations designed specifically to support the power walking community. Essentially, power walking is walking really fast. Much faster than the average walk – around four and a half to five and a half miles per hour!
In order to achieve these speeds while walking, power walkers have to adopt a new form. Generally a power walkers arms will swing to help provide momentum. And their hips and stride will look quite different from a runner or a walker.

Why Power Walk?

Many people choose to power walk because of the potential for injury that running or jogging presents. We’re talking about things like shin splints, bursitis, knee trouble, foot problems – basic joint and muscle issues from overuse and impact. For the most part, power walking doesn’t have the same potential for injury because there’s very little impact. The joints, tendons, and ligaments don’t have to absorb or endure.

That being said, some people choose to power walk simply because it is enjoyable.

Additionally, power walking offers some wonderful health and fitness benefits including the benefits we have listed below.

  • Fat / calorie burning and weight loss
  • Toned muscles
  • Immune boosting
  • Metabolism boosting
  • Better sleep
  • More of those feel good endorphins
  • And if you walk outside, then you receive vitamin D from the sunshine and the benefits of fresh air.

What Do You Need to Get Started Power Walking?

That’s one of the truly great things about power walking. You really only need a good pair of shoes. Once you have shoes that you can wear for a few miles you’re good to go. You can, however, also grab:

  • Sports bra for women
  • Compression shorts for men
  • Heart rate monitor
  • Hydration/water system
  • Watch
  • Exercise clothing – loose fitting and moisture wicking.
  • Safety gear

Power walking can be enjoyed with friends, in groups or on your own. It costs very little to begin and provides incredible fitness and health benefits. If you’ve been looking for an outdoor fitness program - though you can walk on a treadmill too - and you’re not a fan of running, consider power walking. It’s great exercise.