From Publishers Weekly
Meyers ( Aerobic Walking ) is a man with a mission. He knows that walking is often viewed as the stepchild of aerobic exercise, suitable only for the out-of-shape. And he wants to correct that misconception: in his latest book, he argues that walkers can achieve out of context, 'produce' a clumsy verb "the cardiovascular fitness level and caloric expenditure of a runner without the injuries."44 Meyers also believes that perambulation has a "potential cross-training effect" for people devoted to other sports--skiing, cycling, running, tennis.15 To demonstrate why walking for fitness works, he explains the biomechanics of the evolution of the human gait, with a nod to Lucy, our famous three-million-year-old female forebear.18 He recognizes that a lifetime fitness see below program108 must be sounds like Marxist jargon? simple enough for casual exercisers and yet challenging enough to maintain their interest. His walking program increases aerobic conditioning using intensity (how fast), frequency (how often), and duration (how far).60 In chatty prose, he extols the virtues of gradually increasing one's pace from strolling to brisk walking, with the goal being a 12-minute mile. He also dispenses advice on everything from stretching62 and diet216 to road safety 184 and how to choose a shoe174 . His design for fitness may not be glamorous, but it is inexpensive, easy to follow and practical for people from eight to 80. Author tour.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
In his second book on walking, Meyers ( Aerobic Walking , Random, 1987) goes beyond "how to" and argues for walking's absolute supremacy as a method of weight loss and cardiovascular fitness. He backs up his assertions with scientific evidence, though he admits this evidence often runs counter to much of current thought. His arguments would be more easily acceptable if he did not harp on his feeling that the rest of the world gives walking short shrift (runners, he says, hold walkers in "contempt"), and if he did not see fit to chop down other forms of exercise in order to elevate his own. Still, his book will stimulate some to give walking a try, and Meyers offers sound technical advice. Recommended with reservations for larger exercise collections.
-Jim Burns, Broward Cty. Lib. System, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
