Prevention's Complete Book of Walking: Everything You Need to Know to Walk Your Way to Better Health (Paperback)

~ (Author), Elaine Ward (Foreword) "Whether you're just starting a walking program or you're already a regular walker, your health likely played a role in your decision to get fit..." (more)
Key Phrases: new muscle memory, walking editor, fitness walkers, Dynamic Walking, Peace Pilgrim, Dynamic Body Exercises (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Walking is a super sport for health, weight loss, stress reduction, and management of a number of medical conditions. Prevention's Complete Book of Walking gives you every piece of information you need for stepping out, including choosing shoes, clothing, treadmills, gadgets, location, technique, speed, and walking vacations, plus advice about diet, strength training, and yoga. Learn how to train for a race, whether a 5K (3.1 miles) walk/run is your speed, a marathon (26.2 miles), or volkswalk (6.2 miles). You'll learn a new way of walking from the six-week "dynamic walking" program included here. Dynamic walking is a series of techniques and exercises for improving posture, gait, and biomechanics while walking, developed by movement therapist Suki Munsell, Ph.D.

Author Maggie Spilner, an editor at Prevention magazine, progressed from agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), which prevented her from walking farther than around the block, to becoming an avid walker who has walked extensively in five countries. "I consider walking to be both my therapy and my proving ground," she says now. Spilner's style is warm and chatty, as if you're joining her for a walk and friendly conversation. She relates personal stories; describes walks she has taken; offers sound, expert-based advice; and illustrates points with anecdotes. Most of all, she wants you to enjoy walking. "I like to think of walking as an art form and of every walk as a painting-in-progress," she writes. "Enjoy the landscape!" --Joan Price

Product Description

"There are few people who have done more for walking, or who know more about walking, than Maggie Spilner.... This is truly a walking encyclopedia for the new millennium."--From the foreword by Elaine Ward, founder and director of the North American Racewalking Foundation

From the walking editor of America's number one healthy living magazine comes the definitive guide to America's number one fitness activity: walking.

Join Prevention's Maggie Spilner as she introduces you to the tools and techniques that can help you get more from your walking routine. You'll go farther and faster, with greater comfort and less risk of injury.

Prevention's Complete Book of Walking features:

*Three workout plans to help you walk off extra pounds (page 97) *Step-by-step instructions for finding perfect-fitting shoes (page 47) *Yoga poses that support an efficient, fluid stride (page 131) *A buyer's guide for choosing the best treadmill (page 60) *A complete program to train for a 5-K event (page 151)

Prevention's Complete Book of Walking also features the 6-week Dynamic Walking program developed by Suki Munsell, Ph.D. You'll learn to move your body with grace, control, and power, so you'll get even greater benefit from your walking routine.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579542360
• ISBN-13: 978-1579542368
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #601,989 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't let one bad review turn you away, March 25, 2004

By	Maggie Spilner (Easton, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am the author of this book. I don't recieve any royalties for its sales and I no longer work for Prevention Magazine or Rodale Inc. I've checked here from time to time to see if the reviews change. The single negative review on top has been up for YEARS. I think it's too bad. I know many people have thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it very very helpful. It's true that much of it is a compilation of many years of articles written for Prevention and for my Newsletter. But they were well researched, facthecked and contain lots of helpful info for all levels of walkers. The section on Dynamic Walking is one of kind. You won't find that information anywhere else. I think it's a shame that one bad review by a person who seems mostly interested in marathons can be in place for years and put people off from getting a book that could really motivate them to walk for health for a lifetime. If you're new to walking and or a beginner looking for solid advice and inspiration, this book won't disappoint you. There, I've said my peace. Now MY two-bits will be up here for years. My friends will probably tease the heck out of me for defending my work. So be it! :-)

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Above all, do not lose your desire to walk", June 25, 2005

By	Suza Francina "Suza Francina, author" (Ojai, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have enjoyed Maggie Spilner's writings for many years and it's great to find her walking wisdom packed into one book! I especially recommend this book if your inner sloth needs to be reminded (as mine does) to get out and walk-- Every Day!

Maggie writes, "Walking supports health in every sense--physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It enriches and balances your life. And it just plain makes you feel good."
She is the world's best walking buddy and sprinkles every page with practical --and fun--walking tips, guaranteed to get your inner sloth off the couch!

On a personal note, I want to add that there is a sign at the top of a hill where I walk that says: "Above all, do not lose your desire to walk." I have long been curious about the source of that quote, and, today, I found it:

"Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it. . . Thus if one just keeps on walking, everything will be alright."
--Søren Kierkegaard, a prolific Danish writer, letter to Jette (1847)

Maggie's passion for walking is contageous -- reading her book will help assure that you never lose your desire to walk!

Suza Francina, author, The New Yoga for People Over 50 and Yoga and the Wisdom of Menopause. www.suzafrancina.com

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Motivational, January 27, 2001

By A Customer

I got the chance to start reading this book last week and I haven't been able to set it down.I used to walk everyday before I had my kids and then stopped, put on 50 pounds. Reading this helped me to get motivated enough to start up again and I feel great.A defininate pre-summer, get into shape book!!