Walking offers distinct advantages for those who do it and the organizations that promote it — walking:

1. Has a clear, positive impact on health   Physicians often prescribe walking as an effective, doable way to help prevent or delay the progression of several chronic diseases including high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and arthritis.
2. Is an inexpensive program to implement   No dedicated facilities are needed, and the cost is next to nothing to post walking trail maps around or through a facility or neighborhood or highlight neighborhood routes on websites like MapWalk™ (www.MapWalk.com). A walking competition between groups nearly promotes itself.
3. Encourages high participation among all groups
   • Walking is the only exercise where participation rates don’t decrease as individuals reach middle age and older. One national survey found that compared with any other group, men 65 and older had the highest percent of regular walkers — 39.4%.
   • It’s the most popular physical activity in America. More than 56 million people walk for fitness at least 100 days a year.
   • Walking is inexpensive and easy. All a person needs is a pair of comfortable, supportive shoes.
   • It comes naturally and can be done in connection with other daily activities — for example: walking to work, circling the mall or grocery aisles, walking the dog, or pacing while on the phone.
   • Walking is a low impact, safe form of exercise — even for those who are obese or have arthritis.

   4. Becomes a stepping-stone to other forms of exercise   It carries particular appeal for people who are new to or self-conscious about exercise. Walking can also differ in intensity by varying workouts with stairs, hills, or Nordic walking. 

4. Burns about the same number of calories/mile as running   Walking 1mile briskly in 12 minutes burns about as many calories as jogging the same distance in 8.5 minutes.

Want an almost no-cost way to get your population walking? Invite your participants to join Walktober for as little as $4 at www.Walktober.com.

For a free copy of Walking: The Health and Economic Impact, go to www.hesonline.com/wwp.