Do you know what social walking is?
Sound familiar?
Sound strange?
If you’re not sure what social walking is, go to a local mall at about 9 a.m. when they open the doors and then take a walk. You will find the area is rapidly filled with social walkers of all ages from the elderly to the young moms to even a few business people. They hit the malls and they make two or three circuits.
Some stroll.
Some speed walk.
Some just go at a comfortable pace.
Mall walking became popular years ago, but continues to grow every year as more and more seek opportunities for fitness. My husband’s 95-year-old grandfather was a mall walker for a time, but he prefers to do his walking outside. Others prefer the indoor mall walking because it’s safer. They are out of the weather and they don’t have to worry about cars or heavy noise level.
The benefits of walking are numerous. Frequent walkers may notice a weight reduction as well as less pain in the joints around the knees and hips. Lower back pain can be reduced and all from taking a stroll around the mall. It’s important to remember that maintaining moderate activity even into what many like to label the golden years is just as beneficial as the exercise performed when you are young.
Exercise can build muscle strength, reducing stress on the joints affected by arthritis. It can stimulate blood circulation, keep the heart and lungs working at optimum and exercise can even stimulate the mind as you walk, talk and take in the sights.
Some malls have gotten into the act with mall walkers. Some hospitals have begun sponsoring mall-walking programs. They encourage people to sign up for it. New walkers can receive t-shirts, pedometers and health checks.
Social walking offers all the benefits of exercise with the mental stimulation of getting to spend time with friends and meeting new people. Young and old alike benefit from spending some quality time together whether it begins as a stroll around the mall for two circuits that then pauses at the children’s play area to let the little ones run around.
Mall walking is exercise for the whole family from the toddler to the senior citizen. Check it out in your area, you might be surprised at how much fun you can have.