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One of the attractions of walking, the simplest sport, is that minimal
equipment is needed. Here are six items that can make your fitness
walking experience far more pleasant and productive:
The Essentials
Shoes: No need to spend stratospheric running shoe prices here. All
that’s required are shoes that fit well, have flexible and grippy soles,
an adequate toe box for comfort, ample arch support and cushioned heels to
absorb road shock. Many cross-trainer designs work nicely. Prices range
from $20 to $70.
Clothing: Take a common sense approach. Loose-fitting comfortable clothing
is usually all that’s needed, though some athletes may opt for body hugging Lycra
garments. A warm-up suit is essential on colder days and a rain suit is important
during wet weather. For sun protection wear a hat or visor and quality eyewear
to cut ultraviolet rays.
Hydration System: A common mistake during exercise is not getting enough
fluids and it’s a costly error to make. Without steady intake, you’ll tire faster
and be less able to complete a quality walk. Fortunately, there are ways to bring
water along on your workouts; waist packs and hand holsters hold and sometimes
insulate a water bottle (keeping the water cool longer), and place it where it’s
instantly accessible. Prices run $10 to $45.
Nice to Have
Heart Rate Monitor: The best way to know how hard you’re exercising is to
measure exertion; an excellent and affordable way to do that is wearing a heart
rate monitor. Wireless types are best because they give an accurate readout and
are comfortable to wear. They’re comprised of a belt worn around the chest and
a wristwatch display. The belt sends a signal of your heartbeat to the display.
Some HRMs include alarms for setting target zones and memory for recording
workout readings. Prices range from $50 to $300.
Personal Stereo: When you’re not walking with friends, consider taking
along a portable stereo. The right entertainment (opera? sportstalk? books on
tape?) can motivate you and energize your workout while helping to pass the time
by creating a distraction. Remain alert however for traffic and other dangers;
don’t get too carried away when those heavy metal songs come on or you might
sprain something.
Training Diary: A huge part of sticking with a training program is
setting goals and writing them down. For that, there’s no better tool than a
diary or training log ($15 to $20). Once you’ve established short and long-term
goals, each day’s workout takes on a focus. You’ll feel like you’re
taking steps toward the goal as you write down your daily accomplishments and
it’ll help you stay on track. You can also review the entries to see
what training worked best.
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