A favorite pastime of senior citizens and sun-averse Floridians, mall-walking provides hours of air-conditioned entertainment and exercise, as well as a head start on huge sales.
Number of players: One to 10.
Equipment needed: Comfortable shoes; obnoxious aqua-green shorts; pedometer and iPod with the Rocky theme (optional).
Average time of game: 30-60 minutes.
How to play: First, pick your shopping mall (bigger is better to avoid monotony). Some malls, like International Plaza, have regular mall-walking clubs that usually begin strolling before the stores open.
Once at your starting point, assume a robotic stance reminiscent of Robert Patrick's T-1000 character in Terminator 2. Then start walking, swinging arms back and forth, to a speed that increases your breathing, but still allows you to communicate with fellow mall-walkers. Never run. As you circle the perimeter of the mall, avoid the temptation of the Food Court. For a more rigorous game, try mall-walking on a Saturday, maneuvering around shoppers, mothers with baby carriages and security guards.
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This article appears in May 9-15, 2007.