Indoor tracks: Many gyms, recreation centers and colleges have indoors tracks. You may have to join the gym, sign up for a college course, or pay a fee to use the facilities. The benefits are that they also have showers and locker rooms and the building is monitored for safety, so it is a good choice for those who must walk solo.
Walk the mall: Many malls are open early hours for mall walkers and some have organized programs. The WalkSportTMprogram is being adopted by malls, sponsored by New Balance Shoes. Walkers swipe an id card and get monthly reports on their walking achievements, earning certificates for rewards like mugs every 50 miles. Many malls have their own homegrown programs that are similar. The advantage of mall walking is that restrooms and coffee shops are usually available. Talking with other walkers is easy. However, most have concrete floors that are harder on the feet than asphalt, and the mall is not conducive to walking fast.
The Office Building Loop: Look around the buildings where you work and find possibilities for walking indoors. Some walkers find a good loop to go up and down and through the building, often using the stairs, to get in a good workout and perhaps work some errands into it as well - a visit to the mailroom, delivering documents to an upstairs department, going the long way around or through various skybridges and underground corridors connecting buildings.
Battling the Boredom: With most of these options, the loops are short enough that boredom can develop. But because you don't have to worry about auto traffic and other hazards, headphones and a radio or cassette/CD player can be used. Listen to walking workout tapes, music, or books on tape. Walking with a friend can also keep things interesting. Use gadgets like a heart rate monitor or sports watch to time your loops, track your exertion and calorie burn, etc.
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More of this Feature
• Tip 1: Reflective Glow
• Tip 2: Carry a Light
• Tip 3: Road Rules
• Tip 4: Stranger Danger
• Tip 5: Shift Schedule
• Tip 6: Indoor Trails
• Tip 7: Treadmills
• Tip 8: Fun Night Events
