Why Walking Rules
Trainer Harley Pasternak spent a year traveling to the world’s healthiest cities to do research for his book The 5-Factor World Diet. What he did not find: a collective diet-crazed workout culture. What he did find: People walked. They walked to the subway. They walked to work. They strolled the streets after dinner (what the Italians affectionately refer to as passeggiata).
Pasternak isn’t an avid runner or a spinning proponent (hear more about why not over on the goopfellas podcast). He does not subscribe to a no pain, no gain mentality. Instead, he starts his Rolodex of Hollywood clients off with a Fitbit: “It’s a way to liberate them from the gym,” he explains. And he tells them (and everyone) simply to walk.
For many of us who have been sheltering at home for months, walks have become a habit in a way they never were before. Could we make it stick, even when studios and gyms reopen?
“That’s if they reopen,” jokes Pasternak. “Gyms serve as a sense of socializing and community, which are both important,” he says. “But we’re also realizing that gyms are not essential. People have been forced to learn how to exercise without the gym and are now finding this sense of ‘Wow, I can do this—I don’t need all this stuff,’” says Pasternak. “There’s a lot more independence right now as a result of that discovery, which is really great.”
Also great are the well-being benefits you can squeeze out of your steps. Walking is good for a healthy heart, immune support, and stress Rx. Researchers at Stanford University found that walking increased creative output in a group of college students by 60 percent compared to sitting. Grounding into nature (you didn’t think we would make it through this story without mentioning forest bathing, did you?), allowing thoughts to come and go, and detaching from the noise, if only for moment, can free up limited mental real estate.
And really: When’s the last time you came back from a walk in a worse mood than when you started off?
“If there ever were a great time to get into walking, this is it,” says Pasternak. “Walking is the best medicine out there—just move.”
ALONG FOR THE STRIDE
-
The best buds
Beats by Dre POWERBEATS PRO TOTALLY WIRELESS EARPHONES goop, $249Nine hours of nonstop listening time.
SHOP NOW -
The tunes
Spotify MICHELLE OBAMA’S 2020 WORKOUT PLAYLIST Spotify, freeIdeal for a three-miler.
LISTEN NOW -
The HYDRATOR 2.0
Larq THE LARQ SELF-CLEANING BOTTLE goop, $95Self-cleaning and self-sufficient.
SHOP NOW -
The audiobook
Bryan Washington Lot Audible, $19Never too late to join the goop Book Club party.
SHOP NOW
-
The Fit
-
G. Sport x Proenza Schouler DOUBLE-LAYER MIDI SPORTS BRA goop, $125SHOP NOW -
G. Sport x Proenza Schouler LIFESTYLE T-SHIRT goop, $125SHOP NOW -
Varley VALLEY PANTS goop, $118SHOP NOW -
Lululemon ON THE BEAT BELT BAG Lululemon, $58Gear for function—and joy.
SHOP NOW
-
The trainers
Reebok HIIT TRAINING SNEAKERS goop, $90Lace them up when you’re hitting the pavement; kick them off when you’re earthing on grass.
SHOP NOW -
The pacesetter
App Store WALKMETER WALKING & HIKING GPS App Store, freeAll the metrics you need—pace, distance, and more—to help you stay on track.
SHOP NOW -
The energy boost
goop Wellness NERD ALERT goop, $55 (30-day supply)/$30 (15-day supply)Quicker than your morning pour-over.
SHOP NOW -
THE (CLEAN) SPF
The Organic Pharmacy CELLULAR PROTECTION SUN CREAM SPF 50 goop, $69Always use protection.
SHOP NOW
-
THE SMART TECH
-
Fitbit CHARGE 4 Fitbit, $150GP shoots for 10,000 steps a day. Pasternak swears by 12,000. We…are working on it.
SHOP NOW -
Halo Neuro HALO SPORT 2 goop, $399It emits cranial electric currents to help improve learning and performance for movement—from hitting a backhand to playing the guitar.
SHOP NOW
-
The LEVEL-UP
Bala Bangles Weighted Wrist Bangles Bala, $49Step things up a pound or two by adding resistance to your block walks.
SHOP NOW -
THE FACE COVERING
Groceries Apparel Organic Cotton Face Covering Groceries Apparel, $15Not only are they made from GOTS-certified organic cotton—but for every three you purchase, they’re giving three back to essential workers.
SHOP NOW
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of goop.
We hope you enjoy the products recommended here. Our goal is to suggest only things we love and think you might, as well. We also like transparency, so, full disclosure: We may collect a share of sales or other compensation if you purchase through the external links on this page.