Fitness walking provides low-impact exercise choice

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

McMinnville Parks and Recreation wellness and aquatics manager Amanda Metcalf, front, leads a number of school system personnel on a brisk walk on the greenway during a fitness walking inservice Monday afternoon. (Will Stewart photo)

Unlike ordinary walking, fitness walking is done at a quick pace and is a full aerobic activity, McMinnville Parks and Recreation wellness and aquatics manager Amanda Metcalf told a number of county teachers Monday. It elevates the heart rate and breathing levels, burns calories and lowers cholesterol.

“Any kind of walking is good, but fitness walking, going about four miles per hour, is one of the better forms of exercise. It’s very low impact, unlike running, and is great for weight loss,” Metcalf said.

Along with Parks and Recreation director Carlene Brown, Metcalf instructed local educators on the ins and outs of fitness walking during a two-hour inservice held at the greenway. In all, teachers and principals walked 1.5 miles.

The inservice was held as part of an ongoing Warren County Schools staff wellness program started earlier this year. Coordinated School Health Program director Cheryl Kelley said the program, which has included the introduction of teacher wellness calendars as well as two heart care inservices, has become a success with good teacher participation.

Monday’s fitness walking inservice served to kick off Warren County Walks, a month-long walking competition between county classrooms.

Designed to encourage additional physical activity among county students, the competition offers a friendly challenge between schools and classes to see which can walk the most miles in a four-week period. Teachers are encouraged to walk with their students at school, while students are encouraged to walk at home in the evenings or weekends with their parents, siblings or other responsible adults.

The class at each county school which records the greatest number of collective miles will receive $50, while the school walking the most miles will receive $100. All prize money must be spent on physical education equipment.