ALL TOGETHER NOW: Joining a walking group can boost morale and aid fitness, as Susie Dewar (far right) and her fellow walkers from Aberdeen have found
AS A wise man once suggested, walking is the only thing that slows us down in a fast-paced society. In an era that is increasingly heavy on work and light on play, the most basic of exercises appears to be making a comeback. Indeed, as thousands of women and men prepare to stretch their legs for this year's MoonWalk, gyms, health clubs and holiday companies are limbering up to cater for walkers too.
The benefits for those who make walking part of their weekly regime are almost too many to count. Research from the British Heart Foundation suggests that walking just one mile a day helps burn calories, improve concentration, reduce the effects of stress and improve sleep patterns.
Motivation, however, can be a stumbling block, which is why walking groups are becoming increasingly popular.
In her book Walking for Fitness, Nina Barough – founder of the Walk the Walk campaign – suggests that power walking in a group encourages drive and helps create a sense of occasion. "Walking with a friend will often get you out of the door when you lack the willpower to do it yourself, and will ensure that you walk regularly and more often," she says. "Talking while you walk makes the time fly by, and is a good benchmark for exertion. If you are able to carry on a conversation without getting breathless, your pace may be too easy. If the talking stops because you are completely out of breath, you are pushing yourself too hard and should slow down."
Barough recommends pairing up with those of a similar walking ability or a little better. "Apart from the camaraderie that a walking group brings, it also provides a constant flow of banter and laughter. Meetings offer a social occasion, a chance to get together with like-minded people, and often the means to form lasting friendships."
Sports centres throughout Scotland have noted an interest in walking clubs from their members, with many looking to supplement their workout programme with the sociability and routine of a group. Some branches of the Next Generation and David Lloyd gyms have developed groups especially for their clients.
Susie Dewar, sports manager for David Lloyd in Aberdeen, recently helped launch a MoonWalk training programme there. "We saw a demand and we went with it," says Dewar, who is helping 45 people train for the event in June. "A big positive from the training has been the social aspect – several women have commented on how good it has been to get to know different people. Small groups who are walking weekly wouldn't have got to know each other if it hadn't been for the MoonWalk training. It's also a great challenge for people of all fitness levels, since, with a structured training plan, anyone can do it."
Increasingly, too, healthy walking programmes are being organised by ramblers' groups, medical practices, councils and local health authorities. The Paths to Health project was established in 2001 to contribute to health improvement in Scotland, and continues to receive support from the Scottish Government Public Health & Wellbeing Directorate, the British Heart Foundation, the NHS and the Centre for Healthy Working Lives. Bums Off Seats, a Fife-based project, promotes a similar idea, aiming to get more people out into the community to walk locally.
Bridget Read, secretary of the Edinburgh Ramblers' Association, says the feeling of camaraderie and fun generated by walking groups has helped stoke an interest. "Walking groups are a very friendly, sociable way for people to interact, get fit and enjoy exercise. Some people come along because they have a friend already in a group; others come alone, keen to try something new. People enjoy it because it's not about a strenuous climbing-a-Munro type of activity – although of course it can be if you want it to be – but rather lovely walking routes on reasonable terrain."
Margaret Porter, managing director of Scottish walking tour operator C-N-Do, agrees. "There has undoubtedly been a groundswell of interest in walking in recent years," she says. "It seemed to plateau for a while but now I think it's well and truly back on the agenda, with a lot of walking organisations, gyms and health bodies generating renewed interest.
"The feedback we get is that people enjoy doing it because they get to spend time with like-minded people while getting themselves fit in as painless a way as possible."
• See
www.walkthewalk.org for details of walking groups in your area plus information on how to set up your own group
JOINT EFFORTSusie Dewar, 30, of the Aberdeen branch of David Lloyd, has a team of 45 walking and training for this year's MoonWalk.
"The programme is about introducing people to each other, getting fit and having fun. You can see a notable increase in people's fitness levels, and socially many of them have started to bond. Training plans have been devised by our fitness coaches and personal trainers. We recommended building gradually from two to three short walks in February to now completing one 'good' walk each week – nine to 12 miles – along with cross-training in the gym or a class. We have walkers of all ages taking part, from a 21-year-old to a super-fit and motivated 76-year-old who will be completing the half-marathon on the night."
Agnes Lennox, 50, is in recovery from cancer. She currently works as a consultant for a housing company and has a part-time business running a wig bank for cancer sufferers. She walks in a group of four.
"I train with a mix of people, some of whom are doing the MoonWalk and some who just enjoy walking and are happy to keep me company. I still walk on my own sometimes but it is good to have people encouraging you. I talk non-stop, so walking in a group makes the whole thing seem a lot less painful because the time goes by quickly. We try to mix it up as much as possible, in terms of the route: we walk locally and we are going to do a bit of the West Highland Way as part of our training nearer the time. Whenever I get nervous about doing the MoonWalk I know the camaraderie and the idea that we are all in it together will get me through.
"My top tip would be to set a goal or a reward for all your efforts. We sometimes incorporate a coffee, lunch or even a shopping stop into our walk and that certainly helps us get to where we need to go."
Doreen Borland, 60, is a complementary therapist. Her 12-strong walking group, the Church Belles, was formed through her local congregation.
"At my birthday last year I decided to make my 60th year worth something. One Sunday after church I suggested we all do the MoonWalk. Everyone laughed but then we realised it was a great way of giving something back. A lot of people we know have been touched by cancer. So far the support has been tremendous: one of our congregation wrote a song for us and we're working on all sorts of fundraising ideas, including a concert. We're serious about the training but also have fun with it. Even people not doing the MoonWalk have been walking with us, and that's been very motivating and inspiring."
