Essential Gear
Walking for Beginners | Physical Training Program | Essential Gear
Hydration | 10 Steps to Avoid | Injury Prevention
Once of the nice things about walking is that it does not require any fancy or expensive equipment. However, certain clothes and shoes are better suited to fitness walking than others, and it is important that you utilize gear that is designed for this use.
Finding the Perfect Sneaker (PDF)
The average participant training for Challenge Walk MS will take nearly half a million steps and nearly 100,000 steps during the event, so it’s critical to find the right shoes.
Unfortunately, most shoes sold as “walking shoes” are too stiff and heavy for more than a few miles of easy strolling (on carpet, in a mall, etc.). If you try to wear this clunky white footwear during a long training walk, you’ll end up with hot, sweaty, blistered feet. A lightweight, flexible running shoe with a relatively low heel is a much better choice for most walkers.
Look for the following characteristics when shopping for walking shoes:
Socks
Even with the perfect shoe, a cheap pair of socks can cause blisters. Cotton absorbs sweat and leads to moist, blister-prone feet. Look for thin socks made of a wicking material, and make sure they fit.
Shoe Inserts
If you have shin, knee or lower back pain when you walk, you might want to consider a shoe insert. Inserts are designed to keep your feet in the proper position when you walk, and give much better support and cushioning than you’ll get from the flimsy “sock liners” that come with most shoes. A pair of arch supports that you can purchase in most stores are better than the ones that come with most shoes, but if you really want to treat your feet right, spring for a pair of high-quality inserts available at specialty running and walking stores.
Workout Clothes
Your walking attire should be comfortable. Some loose-fitting clothes, like T-shirts and baggy shorts, may cause chafing. When training, test several types of exercise clothing:
Walking for Beginners | Physical Training Program | Essential Gear
Hydration | 10 Steps to Avoid | Injury Prevention
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