Question: What inspired you to create "healthwalking"?

Jacobson: I was a runner and then a race walker for a number of years, and when I would go to Central Park, people started asking about what I was doing. I realized that people were interested - not in walking in races but in walking for fitness. I realized that you could copy the form of race walking and become very fit.

Question: How is race walking different from regular strolling?

Jacobson: Naturally, it's a sped up walk. It's generally the same as regular walking: You reach forward with your hip and your heel, plant with your heel - that's called walking. But in race walking/healthwalking, you pump your arms as a sprinter would, up to the midpoint of the chest.

Question: You're a big advocate of strength training to help walking - what's the idea behind that?

Jacobson: Because you move your arms so dynamically when you walk, you can benefit that motion with stronger chest and back muscles. When walking long distances, one's arms often tire. I recommend upper-body training with dumbbells. It's in my book.

Question: Does healthwalking offer any advantages over running?

Jacobson: It's easier on the joints. When you're running, if you're light on your feet, you're going to be landing on three to four times your body weight; if you're not so light, it's probably closer to seven times your weight. When you're walking, you're probably landing on about one and a half times your body weight.

Question: How do the physical benefits compare to those of running?

Jacobson: They are the same. One can get his heart rate up to 80 to 90 percent of max [of your heart rate] by healthwalking.

Question: Can you vary the workout?

Jacobson: Yes, you can do interval and threshold training, temp training, with specified recovery times--just as in running.

Question: What kind of shoes would you recommend to beginning walkers?

Jacobson: Regardless of a shoe brand, one should look for a shoe with a good dense rubber heel. The shoe should have flexibility in the forefoot so that you can push the top of the foot into the shoelaces. Your longest toe should come no closer to the top of the shoe than a 1/2 inch.

Question: You've coached a lot of Olympic athletes and national champions. What sets them apart from other race walkers with whom you've worked?

Jacobson: Besides a competitive attitude, three things set these people apart: Discipline, dedication and desire. These people have the ability to push themselves. I believe that many people who exercise today really don't push themselves hard enough to see the maximum results.

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