You don't need a lot of stuff to get started: shoes; proper outfit; dumbbells; the ability to coordinate simultaneous walking, lifting, and counting; a good place to do the walking; and you're ready to go. Some other items can be helpful: a book to suggest some exercises in case you don't like the ones I do, and some pleasant company. A good attitude and the will to develop a program and set goals for yourself would be nice to begin with, but will probably grow on you. I find the exercise to be stimulating and self-rewarding, probably from all the endorphins that get released in my brain. The more strenuously I work out, the better I feel! (Please read my disclaimer if you haven't already!) Here are some notes on these items in case you need them:

Shoes - Go where they sell shoes at a discount and get a nice pair of walking or cross-training shoes. If you try these types and your knees or ankles hurt, maybe you need a pair of running shoes for their extra padding in the heels. I prefer New Balance because they come in half-sizes and lettered widths, just like regular shoes.

Outfit - Wear loose-fitting stuff, particularly when it's warm. In cold weather, ski pants, parkas, mittens and waterproof hiking shoes or boots will let you get out and do your thing.

Dumbbells - There's a kind of dumbbells specifically made for heavyhands walking, with removable weights, but I never tried them. I like the kind that are covered in foam rubber because they're easy on my hands. Start out with a pound or two or three. Your body will tell you if and when you need more. Generally, the bigger and stronger you already are, the more you should start with.

Coordination - Don't laugh. It's not easy for some folks to walk, lift, and count simultaneously. View the movies to see how I manage it. Practice on your own, say, before you go outside with it. I've been at it since the summer of 2000, and I often still lose track of where I'm at in my program.

Good place to walk - We live near a lovely park, but if you go out early or late enough, it doesn't matter where you walk. Avoid busy highways and large predators. (Hey, this IS the world wide web!)

Fitness/exercises Book - I like a book that was suggested to me by another fitness afficionado: "Getting Stronger," by Bill Pearl. It has descriptions and illustrations of hundreds of exercises, not that you can't come up with new ones for yourself. Folks who try heavyhands walking should definitely check out Dr. Schwartz' book, which I tout in the heavyhands page elsewhere on this web.

Pleasant company - Walking with or without weights is more fun when you have someone to share it all with.

Program - You're going to want to figure out how much of each exercise is right for you. I realized right away that I like to do shorter sets at first and longer sets on the way home when I walk with the heavier weights.