ShapeWalking: Six Easy Steps to Your Best Body

by Marilyn L. Bach, Lorie Schleck M.A. P.T.

ShapeWalking goes beyond most fitness walking programs by adding toning and stretching to an aerobic walking regimen. Exercisers use their own body weight and portable exercise bands for strength training to help control weight, develop muscle, and prevent or reverse bone density loss. Addressing people of all fitness levels, the authors discuss getting started, setting attainable goals, achieving a target heart rate, and toning the most common trouble spots. Workouts include an antiosteoporosis workout that strengthens the bones most affected by the disease. Completely updated, this book also includes current resources, photos demonstrating proper form, charts for keeping track of progress, and safety tips for preventing injuries.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a really sexy book. It's purely informative. Sure, the information is from the 90s (and so are the pics) but it's a good, solid book.

There are several good points. (1) It includes an osteoporosis workout which includes osteoporosis prevention and a list of exercises to exclude if you've been diagnosed with osteoporosis. (2) The photos are instructive and repetitive. If you've chosen one particular workout, all the exercises are illustrated with photos. (3) In addition to stretches and walking workouts, the strength-building workouts are gentle and nonthreatening.

The information is obviously dated. And the resource list may be obsolete. However, I'm sure you can find updated information if you really need to--I just doubt you really need to. The exercises are so simple that they probably aren't any more out of style than jumping jacks (not a suggested exercise).

The book asks for a specific set of stretch bands (which may not even be available any more). However, I'm sure you could use any set of stretch bands and adjust your workout.

Judging from the photos, the book is geared towards older women who may be afraid of taking up an exercising routine at this stage in life. This is a nonthreatening book which assures us all that there's nothing to be afraid of.

[Provin Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice older book on walking. Goes over what clothing and shoes to wear as well as keeping your heart rate in a fat burning zone. I enjoyed the part about putting together a walking routine and how to use certain muscles while walking in order to tone and define said muscles. I don’t even feel weird incorporating this simple movements into my current walking routine (no ‘wild arms’ or awkward strides) I’m giving it a three star because I haven’t been doing the supplies exercises long enough to speak on how they improved my overall fitness. In a few months I will report back and it may get more stars! 🤓

[Sigo Paolini · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the workout charts alone this is gold. Of course you to make copies but they are excellent charts and are saving me a fortune because I don't have to buy and then tailor one of the "exercise logs".
They accompany a sound walking / strength building program. Seems aimed at the 35 year old set but Bach makes allowances for all age sets by showing how to modify the program. I was pleasantly surprised.