Latest facd in physical fitness offers people a chance to strut their stuff

If fat burning, body sculpting and fitness are on your list of priorities, grab your walking shoes, rev up your engine and come learn about racewalking.

Racewalking is a walking style that will be taught at a seminar called "Walk Your Way to Fitness" from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday at the outdoor track at SIUE. Walk Masters and Co., a firm that trains people in proper walking techniques, is sponsoring the seminar.

Laurie Plocher, a certified walking coach and partner in Walk Masters Co., said there are many cardiovascular benefits derived from the sport, in addition to burning fat and building muscle. "Racewalking reduces cardiopulmonary risk factors by decreasing body fats and lowering blood pressure," Plocher said. "It also decreases anxiety and stress levels."

Although the name implies a sport of a competitive nature, racewalking, which is also called straight-leg walking, is an advanced walking technique, and can be used as an everyday fitness tool.

There are two technical rules to racewalking. There must be contact with the ground at all times. A racewalker also has to keep the knee of the supporting leg stiff from the moment of foot contact with the ground until it passes under the body.

The sport does require some training to achieve the proper technique, but the rewards are well worth it. "Racewalking is much easier on your body than power walking or jogging," Plocher said. "There is a much lower injury potential with racewalking. You use a lot of obliques and hip flex, everything is moving forward as opposed to power walking which has a lot of wasted energy."

Contrary to the image some may have of a widely exaggerated walking motion, the proper racewalking form is smooth and fluid. "When you have the proper form, you should look like you're gliding," Plocher said. "The whole body movement is in a forward motion, so it's graceful. It is very relaxing and comforting to the body."

Racewalking is a sport that can be learned at any age or any fitness level. "Anyone at any age can do this sport," Plocher said. "It's good exercise, it's fun and it's great for your posture."

People participate in racewalking for a variety of reasons: for fitness, for health or competitive reasons. "It really depends on the goals of the individual and how much time they are willing to put into it," Plocher said.

If performance is your thing, there are many competitive events held in the St. Louis area. "Every month you can go to a race," Plocher said. "Races can be used for goal setting. And your chances of winning are better than in runs because there are fewer participants."

Goals, training habits and proper walking techniques are topics that will be covered at the seminar. Walk Masters and Co. will also provide health and nutritional information.

The cost of the seminar is $45 or $40 for members of the American Walking Association. Pre-registration is encouraged because class size is limited. In case of rain, the event will be held at the Edwardsville YMCA.

For more information or to register for the seminar, call Plocher or Kathy Southwick at 651-WALK, or 651-9254.