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Top 10 Books and Videos for Walking Fast and Racewalking

By , About.com Guide

Updated August 28, 2011

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Want to speed up? These books, videos and DVDs show you how to walk faster using fitness walking techniques and Olympic racewalking techniques.

1. The Complete Guide to Racewalking Technique and Training

By Dave McGovern. Unfortunately, is is out of print and will eventually be repaced by "The Complete Guide to Competitive Walking." You may still find rare copies online. It's an excellent guide to learning to racewalk or improving your technique. I used this book to learn the basics before I went to Dave's racewalking clinic. It has keys to technique, drills, training schedules, race tips. I continue to refer to it often. Paperback.

2. Walking Fast

By Therese Iknoian. Learn to walk faster with or without the Olympic racewalking technique. "Walking Fast" gives a complete look at walking with correct technique (includes self-tests) and guidelines for racing. Simple programs for three fitness levels are given. 69 photos. 25 illustrations. Paperback.

3. Fast Walking

By Ron Laird. Illustrated guide to racewalking technique, exercise, and training from a four-time Olympic racewalker. Paperback.
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4. BoomerWalk

BoomerWalk© Wendy Bumgardner 2009
Brent Bohlen wants to convert millions of baby boomers to racewalking. He has a good case - racewalking is joint-friendly and still allows you to achieve a very high heart rate for aerobic fitness. The book clearly explains racewalking technique for all ages and points you to live training and competition. It's an easy read and very valuable.

5. Race Walk Like a Champion: Book and DVD

By Jeff Salvage. If you are committed to racewalking technique, this book and DVD gives a thorough explanation of how to select race walking shoes and warm up, every aspect of race walking technique, judging, and training philosophy. Other chapters include stretching, racing, strength training, mental preparation, injury treatment, and nutrition.

6. The Complete Guide to Walking For Health, Fitness and Weight Loss

By Mark Fenton. A 52-week plan to increase energy, reduce stress, improve mood and permanently lose weight. It takes you through walking for beginners and progresses to competitive racewalking technique. Paperback.
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7. Fitness Walking : Technique, Motivation, and 60 Workouts for Walkers

By Therese Iknoian. The book provides easy, moderate, and intense 4-week sample programs that can be used as is or modified to suit individual needs. Paperback
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8. Videos: Walk Like an Athlete I and II

By Jeff Salvage. These excellent videos show you how to perform the Olympic racewalking technique in volume 1. The second tape shows drills, flexibility exercises, stretches, and more on walking technique.

9. How to Walk Faster: Video and Manual

By Elaine Ward. This video features Coach Enrique Peña; Jefferson Perez, 20km gold medal winner at the Atlanta Olympics; the athletes at the ARCO Olympic Training Center; and 12 masters walkers. Includes tips on technique, strengthening, flexibility, and training. The companion manual expands on the video, with illustrations.

10. Basic Technique of Racewalking: Video

By Elaine Ward and the Southern Cal Walkers and Consultant Frank Alongi. For beginning racewalkers, this tape gives a complete, clear presentation of the modern racewalking technique using demonstrators of all ages and body types.

Walker Reviews

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