Mall walking provides comfort and exercise during the winter months

Commentary by Rachel Kramer

With the combination of shorter days and a cold east wind, the options for exercise are limited during the winter.

One could pay $40 and up for a club membership. Or there are the lucky few that can play team sports at the college level. But for the rest of us mere mortals, the poor college students, saving every penny is a way of life.

So, I propose a new exercise program. And it is perfect for the holiday season. Let’s all go shopping.

When it is cold, indoors is where exercise is comfortable and fun. Walking at a mall can be both entertaining and beneficial.

According to Jillian Kacalek, Clackamas Town Center marketing assistant, mall walkers are often at CTC between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.

The stores are still closed, so this provides a quiet atmosphere for some indoor walking. Kacalek also says that there is a parent’s group that meet there to get some exercise and walk, often bringing their children with them.

Mall walking has many advantages to its outdoor counterpart. No matter the weather, the inside of a mall is dry and often climate controlled, cool in the hot summer and warm in the cold winter.

As opposed to a jog outdoors, where one waits for traffic lights and cars, inside a mall, there are no lights.

A lap around Lloyd Center is much like a lap around a track, but it has the comforts of being indoors.

There is also the added security of mall walking.

With the other mall walkers and the mall security guards on duty, it is a safe environment to get your exercise.

During the holidays, mall walking also has special benefits. Those who walk the mall early get an early glimpse on the sales of the day. For Christmas shopping this can be a blessing.

This holiday season, embrace a new activity and get your shopping done early. Contact your local mall for information about walking groups and then get walking.