Walsall Walk On
Walking is one of the best and easiest ways of becoming more active.
Walsall Walk On is a weekly programme of free health walks held in parks and countryside spaces across the borough.
Walking regularly can:
- help weight loss
- ease back pain
- reduce the risks of heart disease
- increase bone strength
- improve muscle tone and joint flexibility
- lead to improved balance and co-ordination helping to prevent falls
- increase your confidence, stamina and energy
- help with anxiety and stress and increase relaxation
- provide a social environment to make new friends
Walking doesn’t require any special clothing or equipment, it doesn’t cost anything and it can be done by everyone anywhere.
Each of our health walks is led by a nationally qualified Walk Leader who is assisted by a qualified Back Marker. This means that the walks can be tailored to suit everyone’s speed and ability, while walking as a group. All leaders are also trained in CPR.
The weekly programme provides a range of walks varying in length and terrain with distances from approximately one mile up to about six miles. Most walks follow a circular route with the start and finish locations being the same.
To join any of the walks simply turn up at the start location fifteen minutes before the walk start time. The walk leader will ask you to complete a health questionnaire and a register. The health questionnaire will then highlight any medical conditions that may occur during the walk that the leader needs to be aware of. You will then need to notify the leader of any medical changes that may have occurred each time you attend the walk.
If you haven’t exercised for a while or have a medical condition and are unsure about starting something new, please seek advice from your GP prior to starting.
Please make sure that you wear appropriate suitable footwear and dress according to the weather when walking. It may be advisable to bring a drink such as water with you if you think you may need it.
All weekly health walks are registered with the Groundmiles exercise incentive scheme. Your Walk Leader will give you more details and issue you a collectors book. Stamps will be issued by the Walk Leader at the end of each walk.
For more information regarding the Walsall Walk On health walks scheme please contact Sport and Leisure Development Services on 01902 605500, or visit the Walsall Walk On weekly health walks programme.
Programme changes
The following changes will shortly to the walks programme:
The meeting point for the Arboretum Long walk will now be The Palm House next to the centre green.
The Aldridge Manor House walk will be changing from Thursday 2 October 2008. The walk will be meeting at the Community Centre on Middlemore Lane and will be renamed Aldridge Community Walk. All other walk details will remain the same.
The following cancellations will be in effect over the Christmas 2008 period:
- Reedswood walk: 22 and 29 December
- Aldridge Community walk: 25 December and 1 January
- Arboretum Short walk: 26 December and 2 January
- Aldridge Airport walk: 24 and 31 December
- Pheasey walk: 25 December and 1 January
For any further information, please contact Sport and Leisure Development Services on 01902 605500 or sportsdev@walsall.gov.uk