THURSDAY, April 1, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- Leave your car in the driveway, put on a pair of comfortable shoes and use your feet to get to work on Friday, which is National Walk to Work Day.
Walking offers an inexpensive and healthy way to commute to work, said Leonard Kaminsky, coordinator of adult physical fitness and cardiopulmonary programs at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.
Walking to work could become part of a regular walking program. Walking for exercise has a number of advantages:
- Other than a good pair of shoes, it requires no special equipment or clothing.
- Walking can be done almost anywhere indoors and outdoors at any time of the year.
- It can be done alone, with a friend or with a group.
- Community walking groups and events give you opportunities to meet new people.
- Walking is environmentally friendly.
All adults should get a moderate amount of physical exercise on most, if not all, days of the week, Kaminsky said. He noted that walking an average of 30 minutes each day would meet the minimum exercise guidelines established by the U.S. Surgeon General.
"Regular exercise is not just for athletes, it is for everyone. Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and will allow a person the ability to be able to perform a wide variety of activities throughout their life. It is a quality of life that is essential," Kaminsky said in a prepared statement.
More information
America on the Move has more about Walk to Work Day.
