Discover the new rules of walking to increase your health, longevity, and overall wellbeing--from two go-to experts.
Did you know… Your risk of falls and overall longevity can be measured by your foot health Your walking speed can predict your overall health status and risk of early death Increasing your walking cadence has been shown to help reduce knee, hip, and lower back pain; The number of daily optimal steps is not 10,000 (spoiler it’s fewer!) What James Nestor did for breathing, Christopher McDougall and Mark Cucuzzella did for running, and Kelly and Juliet Starrett have done for mobility, founder of Gait Happens Dr. Courtney Conley and Dr. Milica McDowell do for walking. Walking is as important to our health and longevity as sleep and proper breathing; it is the 6th vital sign. And yet we’ve almost engineered it out of our lives. Walk is an expert-driven, science-backed guide that not only underscores the power of movement to just about every aspect of our life, it restores walking to its rightful spot as one of the key pillars of health.
With the most up-to-date research, self-assessments, tips on choosing the best shoes for foot health, as well as easy movement snacks to help with low back pain and foot pain, and customizable programs to develop or enhance your own fitness, Walk is *the* definitive guide to optimizing wellness.
An engaging book written in a non technical format that discusses how walking is much more than just a passive activity. It is a powerful foundation for health. I found it very easy to read, the format was refreshing and within each subject chapter they discussed exercises and had break periods called “Movement Snacks.” This was an awesome tool that was inspiring with a “learn as you go” style using practice exercises and conducting self assessments. The authors provided information from real world studies and interesting real life stories to make the subject matter approachable and interesting.
The exercises and programs provided are adaptable and designed for real people, they are meant to be tailored to each persons individual needs. This book is not just about physical health but it also highlights the emotional and social benefits of walking, of embracing a “use it or lose it” mindset. The authors extensive knowledge, resources and studies provided credibility, inspiration and motivation. It is refreshing to read that many of the old concepts are being re-evaluated in light of new ideas. The theme of the book is about walking, but it does not diminish the importance of other fitness activities, it is focused on walking that should be part of everyone’s core routine as we all strive for a healthy lifestyle.
The activity goals, exercises, resources and so much more are culminated at the end of the book. I loved this section, a reader can quickly go to the section needed without having to search the whole book.
I highly recommend this book to read whether you are a non walker or already a motivated walker. You will find plenty of great information if you are looking to start a program and just need a simple path. For those who are interested in enhancing your already robust walking program, there is a tremendous amount of valuable information in this “out of the box” book to enhance your individual goals. I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I approached this as a personal trainer (NASM), ultramarathoner, and walker. I love walking. It's something people don't do enough of. This book is a fairly quick read with a lot of tools for people that are looking to add more walking to their lifestyle. Even a seasoned marathoner like myself might enjoy this book. Walking is so overlooked when it comes to recommendations that are simple and that work. The author could have cited a few more studies in my opinion. I think this is especially helpful for people like myself that enjoy reading studies and getting into the nitty gritty of the science. This book talks about the calming benefits of walking. While working on my first master's, walking was how I handled issues with my thesis. If I was feeling overwhelmed, I knew a quick walk would work wonders for my mood. Among all of the books about walking I have read, this is a standout. It delivers information, accessibility, and a humility that most fitness books don't offer. The resource section is the crown jewel of this book. It gives the reader everything they need to know to get started. I would definitely recommend this book to my clients as a must read if they are looking to get into walking as a type of fitness.