Walk This Way

For those tired of racing to the Malkin Athletic Center (MAC) at dusk to vie for a treadmill or elliptical machine, Zachary M. Subin ’03 has some advice. Try walking. Power walking.

Neither jogging nor strolling, this aerobic exercise involves walking at a very fast pace, reaping health benefits comparable to those gained by running, while reducing the risk of injury. “I’ve done a lot of running since the seventh grade,” says Subin. “When I started having problems with one of my feet, I turned to [power] walking.”

However, power walking’s benefits aren’t limited to improving cardiovascular health. It’ll also make you look hot. Targeting muscles in the buttocks, calves and thighs, this little known aerobic secret can turn your gams into gems.

But, what puts the power into power walking? If you can cover a mile walking in about 12 to 15 minutes, you’re walking powerfully. “I usually head over to Central Square and back to Quincy in about 20 minutes,” says Subin. “That’s probably a bit over a mile.”

Subin cites the ease of this exercise as one of its most appealing qualities. “If I’m running short on time, I’ll just head out dressed as I am, and do my daily workout walking to class,” he says.

Long a deprecated choice of exercise, power walking is slowly gaining street cred. The recent publication of Fitness Walking for Dummies is one testament to the growing popularity of the sport. The power walking craze has also spawned new musical offerings, with genres ranging from techno versions of classical music to Baptist hymns, chosen for their ability to energize you just enough so that you peak out in that precarious state between briskly walking and jogging leisurely.

Unfortunately, Subin hasn’t found many others to “walk the walk” with him. “Most people don’t know much about power walking—they assume you’re just a wuss,” he says. Not discouraged, however, Subin continues to stand by his daily routine. “If you stroll, you’re just strolling, but if you make a point of putting some effort into it, you’ll end your walk trying to catch your breath.” Just be careful not to put too much effort into it because then you would be running.