Invasion of the Mall Walkers

   I spotted the first one at the crack of dawn. At first, I thought it was only a stray.  The second one appeared moving with the same vigorous and forceful gait. Then I spotted a third followed by a paired couple. These were no strays! They were everywhere! The mall was filling with walkers.They were all over the shopping mall.  Some of them carried walking poles. Many were dressed in golf attire and shod in running or walking shoes. This was an invasion!
   I was on my way to an early morning fitness seminar at an adjacent hotel. I was taking a shortcut through the shopping center just after the doors opened. That's when I saw them - the mall walkers. 
This is becoming a growing trend - seniors getting exercise by walking the shopping malls before the stores open in the morning. Some of them will then reward themselves at the food court with coffee from the kiosk beanery.  I see this as a positive thing.Seniors are getting active with exercise and getting out of the home for awhile. This is active living unfolding before our eyes.
   Walking is a super exercise for most people. The benefits are numerous.

• Walking invigorates the cardiovascular system.
• It stimulates the often neglected musculature of the lower body.
• It can be safer than some of the more intense forms of exercise such as running. There is less stress on some of the more vulnerable joints such as knees, hips, and ankles. 
• It can be good physical therapy. I used to find that a brief walk can ease a lower backache. Yes, fitness trainers can get sore backs too.
• Walking can help the brain release endorphins and elevate the mood.

   My bias has always been that  cardiovascular exercises such such as walking, running, and biking be done out in the fresh air. Many feel more comfortable indoors. For many seniors, practicality trumps my personal preferences.There are many reasons why walking malls may be the way to go for this demographic.

• Outdoor weather includes rain, snow, slippery ice, and hot and cold temperature extremes.
• Falls are the number one cause of injury to seniors.
• The indoor environment is mostly constant.
• The fresh air of the great outdoors isn't always that fresh with car exhaust and other pollutants.
• The is liitle to no danger from dogs in the mall.
• There is the potential danger from automobile traffic outside. I suppose in the mall seniors still have to beware of electric carts and runaway Segways.
• There may be greater risk of being victimized by crime out in the streets or urban parks. Malls  have security staff and video surveillance which lessens the chance of being mugged or swarmed. While mall food courts can be hangouts for groups of wayward youth, they are rarely around in the early morning hours that seniors prefer.
• Walking outdoors is often a solitary activity. Mall walking often has a unique social component.  The walkers often socialize and even have a coffee in the mall after their walk. It beats staying isolated at home.

      Okay, it`s settled then. Mall walking is a great activity for seniors! However, walking by itself may not lead to overall fitness Walking does not address issues of upper body strength, postural imbalances, or flexibility. Seniors would benefit from weight training and core conditioning.

   This aging demographic is a potential windfall for Fitness Trainers. Seniors who have taken up mall walking are already into the action phase of fitness .How can you, the Fitness Trainer, get them to take that extra step towards total fitness?

I spotted the first walker. A stray.
I knew there would be more! An invasion was coming!
Note the suburban mall fitness center.

   Is it a coincidence that many fitness centers are located in shopping malls?  If you work in such a fitness center, perhaps your greatest potential  client base is there in the mall. If you have your own training business maybe it might be an idea to try and mine that vein. Research the shopping center`s policy on advertising your services with poster or see if you can set up a booth. Focus on marketing to the mall walkers. The future is out there.
Follow the walkers!

Until next time,............keep fit!     

Little Bobby Strong!

Links

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