Walking Can Do Wonders

Every weekday morning, Laura De Martino wakes up early to go for a walk with her friends on St. Simons Island, Ga.

"Anne Marie Stirewalt, Gay Barron and I leave our houses at 6:15 each weekday morning. We walk to the Coast Guard Station, then down the beach as far as we can," she said.

"If we must get off, we still walk down to and through the Village, then back down Mallery, down Leake (streets) and back into the back side of Sandcastle (subdivision). It takes us an hour and a half and we figure it's about five miles."

De Martino loves the exercise but she also enjoys the company.

"Not only is it good for us health-wise to move ourselves, but we have the best time with each other. We love watching the world wake up. Not only that, we've made 'walking' friends. We see Sarah gathering her cans and Chris walking toward us. We've come to know Barb and Jim, new friends from Florida," she said.

During their walks, De Martino and her group are doing more than just spending time with friends.

Sean McClintock, personal trainer manager at Bailey's Gym in Brunswick, says that walking has many benefits.

"Walking is a great way to condition the body and makes everyday living that much easier. Walking or jogging strengthens your legs and back muscles, improves the strength of your bones, allows you to become more flexible and, most importantly, it strengthens your heart," he said.

"Not to mention getting out and walking will give you a great sense of accomplishment, just because you know you have done something great for yourself."

But even something as seemingly simple as walking -- putting one foot in front of the other -- has its complexities when it comes to technique and health benefits: Should you take a longer, slower walk or a faster, brisker walk to get the best results?