Bill Reed, a local realtor and avid race walker, is one of them. “The good news is that walking is something all of us have been doing since we gave up crawling as babies,” he quips. “Walking is also a fitness activity that can be taken to a higher level. You can get almost all the aerobic and cardiovascular benefits of running without the attendant stress on the joints and knees. The technique involves bending your arms to a 90 degree angle, you swing your arms to act as a pendulum and walk at a faster clip. Race walking helps gives me focus and I've been doing it for 15 years,” Reed notes. “I began with walking because it was easy to just put on a pair of shoes, go outdoors and enjoy nature.”
Reed doesn't always walk alone. He's a coach for the Kalamazoo Valley Walkers, helping group members incorporate walking into their fitness routines. (www.kvwalkers.org) He also teaches classes at the Portage YMCA. “In my late 30's, I was at a point typical for most middle aged men - slightly overweight and not getting enough exercise,” Reed remembers. “Since I took up walking, my weight has dropped by 20 pounds and remained stable. I am able to eat what I want due to my level of activity. Since race walking is a whole body effort, I'm also very well toned because I use my arms vigorously.”
Reed walks five to six days per week, ranging from two to ten miles, depending on how much time he has available. He primarily walks near his home in the country. “I don't really like to drive anywhere to walk,” he notes, “but I do take advantage of the many fine trails available throughout Southwest Michigan when I am near any of them. It was difficult to get over the hump of wanting to exercise to actually doing it,” he stresses. “Now I'm experiencing the benefits with a higher level of energy and an overall sense of well being.”
Personal training is another avenue for those who prefer solo fitness pursuits. Scott Boersma, owner of Repetitions Personal Training Studio, says his personal methods can be helpful for those who need more guidance or accountability in their fitness routine. “We utilize the time in our gym to the fullest,” he states. “70 percent of my clients are women, because many men were taught how to weight train when they were younger, even in high school. Many women were not given that opportunity, especially if they are in the age range of 50 and older. It just wasn't available to them as they were growing up.” Boersma notes weight training also had a stigma for some time because some women feared that they would get all “bulky” like professional body builders.
Boersma also feels more women tend to gravitate toward personal trainers.
Because they're more willing to ask for help when they need it. “Guys don't pull over to ask for directions, so they are less likely to hire a trainer,” he says with a chuckle. “Men will try to figure it out on their own.” Some could be in for a world of hurt if they don't know what they're doing. That's where a professional like Boersma comes in. “We use Plyometric training for speed, agility, balance and coordination, particularly for athletes,” he notes. “We focus on nutrition counseling and build custom nutrition and weight training programs that are goal-specific for each client.” One unusual aspect of Repetitions is that it allows 24-hour gym access for its members, to accommodate those who work second or third shifts.
The type of fitness you incorporate into your life is a personal choice. Some enjoy the social interaction of a health club or gym. Others have trainers come to their home or book private one-on-one sessions with experts at their fitness center. One of the best aspects of walking as an exercise is that it's usually free and anyone can do it, from tiny toddlers up to octogenarians and beyond. To stay on track, Bill Reed keeps a walking log. In 2004, he managed to do at least 25 miles of walking per week, at all speeds. Trails to try? Bicentennial Trail in Portage, the Kal-Haven Trail, the Bridge Walk in Plainwell and the Riverfront walking paths which meander through Battle Creek. Or follow Bill's example - step out your front door and see where your feet may take you.
