Crystal Hubbard/Collegian
Junior Gray Zollnor and senior Kate Zuiker on a routine power walk.
When most Hillsdale students hear the words “power walking”, they think middle aged, weight-toting and speedy women.
“I think fast!” said freshman Jodi Olthouse.
“[I think] the majority of power walkers are female, and they often make use of weights during exercise,” said freshman Jed Becker.
“Someone who is walking fast,” said sophomore Carol Matthews.
A few Hillsdale students are out proving that stereotype false, demonstrating that power walking is a great way to stay in shape and have fun.
Senior Kate Zuiker has been walking to stay in shape since February of 2003, and said walking is a much better work out than people think it is. She began walking with friends during her sophomore year after they felt they were getting “too sedentary”.
“I first started out with a huge group and we were all really committed to a new healthy lifestyle, but now I have basically 3 people I tend to walk with,” Zuiker said. “I walk every single day either before or after dinner. I find that it’s a good way to free your mind, de-stress and unwind after a long day.”
Zuiker’s favorite route begins at the Chi Omega sorority house, takes her down Hillsdale Street and past the fairgrounds. She then takes a right on Hallett Street to walk past the hospital, followed by a right on Bacon Street, back through downtown to the Chi Omega house.
“It’s about a 3.5 mile loop and it usually takes us about 45 minutes, give or take,” Zuiker said.
Zuiker walks until the sidewalks are too icy in winter, and then switches to indoor walking, where she walks to a video.
“They’re [the videos] more hard core than they sound,” Zuiker said. “You can walk one, two or three miles, and some of them have you walk for five minutes and then switch to something like kick boxing. They really keep you in great shape, believe it or not.”
Junior Lisa Collins has been walking with Zuiker since last year, and joins her on occasion.
“I walk once and a while [with Kate],” Collins said. “We usually either walk a loop or walk down to the fairgrounds.”
Collins advises that anyone considering doing power walking as a workout should “just dress comfortable and have fun.”
Collins also said it is important to walk with someone and not just by yourself.
“Otherwise it gets kind of boring,” Collins said.
New power walkers should also own a decent pair of shoes and maintain a positive attitude.
For Zuiker, the positive attitude comes easily and her enthusiasm for walking is addictive.
“I guess I’m kind of a freak about walking,” Zuiker said. “No one is quite as obsessed as I am about it.”