Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Let's Get this Party Started -- What do I need to get started walking?

So you've decided to jump on board and join the biggest fitness movement of all time -- walking.  What now?  Where do you start?  What do you need to get started?

Walking is one of the least complicated of all sports.  The only thing you really *NEED* is a good pair of walking/running shoes.  I mean, think about it.  Your feet are your most precious commodity when it comes to walking, so we want to protect them, which will in turn protect you from injury.

My advice when it comes to running/walking shoes is to buy the best shoe you can afford.  Ideally, go to a local running store and tell them that you want to begin walking for fitness.  They can evaluate your feet, your stride, and give you some tips on which types of shoes will work best for you.  Shoes through a local running store will typically run between $100 - $200.  But, don't let that stop you from walking if that's not in your budget right now.  Just buy the best shoes you can afford, and if possible begin to save for a better pair of shoe for the future.   Some of the most popular running shoe brands are:

Saucony

Brooks

Mizuno

New Balance

Asics


Now, shoes may be all you *need*, but there are plenty of things out there that are nice to have.  Good socks are important.  Look for socks that are moisture-wicking.  Again, just buy the best you can afford.  Your feet will thank you by not getting blisters. :)   Feetures and Balega are two of my favorite brands.  They both have socks for all weather types that keep your feet warm and dry in the winter and cool and dry in the summer.


Hydration is also important.  All you *need* is water, but if you want to carry your hydration with you on long walks, there are different options for that.  Nathan Sports has a wide variety of handheld flasks and vests.  And if you want more than water, there's popular sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade.  My personal favorite is Nuun Electrolyte Tablets.  These dissolving, flavored tablets contain the electrolytes you need to keep you going on those hot days.

Fueling for long walks (more than an hour) is necessary as well.  You can fuel with something as simple as sugar cubes or gummie bears.  Some walkers use gels or gus to fuel.  I prefer Honey Stinger Chews which is basically all natural, organic gummies.  They come in several different flavors and easy to carry with you on long walks.

If you're going to be getting your miles in very early in the morning or late in the evening, you need to think safety first.  Reflective clothing, armbands, etc. are a  necessity.  A headlamp or belt lamp is also important to help you to both see and be seen.

And don't forget the gadgets.  GPS watches, phone apps, fitness trackers allow you to really see your progress and record your miles which is very rewarding.   Garmin is a very popular brand for GPS watches.  They run in price from $150 to well over $500.  And if you aren't ready to invest in a GPS watch, try out one of the great GPS-enabled apps out there like Map My Walk, Run Keeper, Nike+, etc.

There actually is one more thing that you *need* -- a safe route to walk.  I am a proponent of walking on the sidewalk when at all possible, but we all know that's not always an option, but stick to roads that are not heavily traveled and that have a wide enough shoulder for you to walk safely.  Always remember, walk against traffic.  And be creative with your routes.  It's easy to get bored with walking if you follow the same route every day, so mix things up.  Walk around your neighborhood, walk on a local track, walk on a local walking trail, walk the perimeter of large shopping centers.

So now you know what all you need to get started.  My next blog post will cover how to actually get started when you're laced up and ready to walk out the door.

Until then -- Walk on Sunshine!

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