[.ca] Walking: A Complete Guide to the Complete Exercise (ISBN 0345491041)

excellent place to start exercise program:
I am overweight and started walking three weeks ago. This is the first book i've read on walking and it is simply the best i could imagine. Fact filled, concerned with my health and how to go about doing it right. Every question so far that has popped into my mind has been answered in an order that made sense: motivation, build up slowly so as not to injure myself, how to do it, why to do it this way, etc.. How to make changes that will be lifelong and natural to adopt and sustain. With the facts and theory to make the process clear and convincing. I will continue to read in the field but i know everything else will be compared to this book, either favorable or not. So i am glad i started here and hope to reread it in a few months to see what i have learned by doing and what i need to relearn from him to exercise walk better.

a good book but the editing could have been better:
For anyone who is interested in pursuing a walking program to lose weight and get back in good cardiovascular condition this would be a good place to start. I do not share the author's view that aerobic/fitness walking is the complete exercise and the only exercise a person needs; it is my own opinion that complete fitness should have a balance of cardiovascular exercise, some strength/muscle resistance training, and flexibility. I would argue the panaerobic/heavyhands walking program advocated by Dr. Leonard Schwartz might be the best of all of the above, but for those who are starting out from a very sedentary lifestyle combined with being overweight, the regimen advocated by Casey Meyers could arguably be a better way to go, at least in the short and medium term. I wholeheartedly agree with the author that walking at a high level is as good or better than running at speeds above 5mph and is an excellent cross training exercise for almost any athlete, with less stress on the body and risk of injuries. He also I think rightly points out that people are living a more sedentary life style in recent years which has contributed to an increase in heart problems and a reduction in life expectancy; these health risks can be safely, conveniently and economically addressed by instituting a moderate walking regimen. The recommendations on intensity and duration, to prevent or minimize risk of injury, are very sensible. He is also right in noting that regular brisk walking reduces stress, increases energy, improves appearance, raises metabolism, burns calories, and makes you feel better. I would add (in case he didn't) that it aids digestion. I walk 45 to 60 minutes almost every morning and still feel good at the end of the day. My other concern is that the author tends to drone a bit on this subject; while I admire his enthusiasm for the subject, the book is a bit wearing to read. This book could have been at least 25 pages shorter and every bit as informative. This book is recommended, especially for newcomers.

Walking to Health:
After suffering a major heart attack I eventually managed to start walking again and then set a target to jog. This was disappointing until I discovered Casey Myers. This was a whole new ball game as it proved you could exercise at a greater beneficial rate than running with less damage to knees and with far less strain. I have now told many people of the benefits as it is a "fitness Bible" to our family. If you want to be fit and healthy or just look after yourself you must read this book.

This book was a disappointment:
I was looking for a book that would help get me motivated and psyched up to start walking, and this was definitely not it! The author seemed to be more interested in trying to convince his audience that walking was an as good or better exercise than running, than in presenting helpful information for those already interested in walking. I got very bored with reading about "walking gaits" and "running gaits" and gave up trying to finish the book.

Long-winded, and not just when he is walking:
Although the author has a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter and valuable information to impart, he plugs products by brand and talks obnoxiously about his wife and friends. A more professional edit would have been helpful. I much preferred Mort Malkin's bookon the same subject.