Walking Fast [Paperback]

Therese Iknoian (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 1998

Are you an avid walker looking to take the activity to the next level? Perhaps you're a runner who wants to find a way to end aching joints and muscles without giving up great, heart-pounding workouts. Or, maybe you're a cross-trainer in search of a new, low-impact workout that will burn calories and improve your fitness level.

If you're serious about fitness and seeking a better way to workout, then Walking Fast is for you. This complete guide provides all the building blocks to get started on a fast walking program, and it contains easy-to-apply science that accomplished walkers can use to reach a new level of performance. Inside, you'll find

- self-tests to help you evaluate your walking technique and goals;
- 18 illustrated walking exercises designed to help you master the three-phase walking technique and eliminate trouble spots in your walking movement;
- 29 walking workouts in five categories: easy, long, anaerobic threshold, aerobic capacity, and anaerobic capacity; and
- sample programs for three levels of walkers.

Walking Fast also contains an entire chapter devoted to racing, with information applicable to fast walkers just beginning to race as well as those looking for serious race walking competitions. Plus, a helpful appendix provides a list of race walking resources and tips about how to plug into the race walking network.

Take the next step toward reaching your walking goals and get Walking Fast.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Many exercise enthusiasts have thrashed their knee joints by running endless miles on concrete roads. Many of those exercisers either quit or turn to cycling, but a small number take up fitness walking or even race walking. Therese Iknoian, a nationally ranked race walker and fitness journalist, starts Walking Fast with the assumption that only people interested in her sport will pick the book up, so she's not trying to "sell" the sport. Iknoian discusses race-walking technique (you have to understand terms such as heel strike, toe lift, and pushoff) and clears up any misconceptions you may have about what a race walker's hips are doing in midstride. (Someone who has seen race walking only in the Olympics might assume that the hips are sashaying from left to right, like Marilyn Monroe's, when in fact it's a far more complex up-and-back motion that is best realized by imagining that your legs are an extension of your waist rather than your hips.) The benefits of learning the technique? Race walking is great exercise without much impact on your joints (there's never a point when both feet are off the ground, as in running). People who try the sport swear it's a blast, and there's a surprisingly large network of fellow walkers with whom to connect.

Review

"
"""At last, a fun, informative guide that bridges the gap between basic fitness walking and serious competition. Comprehensive, sensible information for those wishing to get involved in racing, as well as those who want to achieve their fitness goals by dabbling in competition. Wonderfully didactic! Unlike many dry, ""how-to"" books, Iknoian's book is full of personal experiences that give the reader useful advice on what to expect. I found the book to be well structured, with a good dose of biomechanics, without getting overly complicated. Good use of analogies, especially those concerning 'just walking'. Excellent approach to correcting common technical errors."""
Maryanne Torrellas
Former U.S. race walking team member
Six-time national champion and former American record holder
"""Walking Fast is a wonderful book for people who want to increase their walking intensity, fitness level and performance. In easy to understand language, Therese provides the technique, training and resources you will need to take your walking program to the next level."""
Kathie Davis
Executive Director, IDEA
"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics (February 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880116617
• ISBN-13: 978-0880116619
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #732,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Terse yet padded, May 31, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Walking Fast (Paperback)

This book is informative but confused in its focus. It purports to be for those who want to walk fast but not race, but spends almost half its pages on training techniques (and endless charts for you to fill in) best suited for racers. Its descriptions of stride and gait are clearest if you have read other books already and understand the concepts. It is best used to supplement a trainer and not as a stand-alone guide. If you want to learn the basics, start somewhere else. That being said, what it does do, it does well. If you have learned the basics of walking and want a workout and not just a walk, this is the book for you. If you want to improve your walking endurance or speed, this book will help.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good for performance oriented walkers, October 9, 2003

By 

Ollie Nanyes (Peoria, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Walking Fast (Paperback)

This book is excellent for those who want to either walk for exercise or want to walk for sport (i. e., races). There are many excellent photos which describe proper walking technique and common technique errors.

There is also a section on racewalking and what to expect at official judged racewalks.

This book should fit the needs of either powerwalkers or novice racewalkers.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book from the basics to the advanced., February 23, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Atlanta, Ga.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walking Fast (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book and give to aspiring walkers. It really makes a nice connection from "walking" to Racewalking.