Walking Club
Walking and health Walking is such a natural activity, both as a means of getting from A to B and as a leisure pursuit. However, given our increasingly busy lives, many of us are not walking enough to benefit our health. The Northern Ireland adult sport and physical activity survey 2010 (SAPAS) highlighted that only 35% of respondents achieved the recommended levels of physical activity.1 How much physical activity should we do? Lack of physical activity is one of the biggest causes of illness and death in Northern Ireland. Increasing physical activity levels across the whole of our population is a major aim for those with an interest in health. Active people are more likely to live longer and healthier lives and to retain their independence throughout life. The most recent recommendations by the four UK Chief Medical Officers indicate that adults aged 19–64 years should do at least 150 minutes (two hours and 30 minutes) of moderate intensity physical activity each week.2 Moderate intensity means working hard enough to raise your heartbeat and break a sweat. Moderate intensity activities include brisk walking, cycling, gardening, dancing and heavy housework. Walking has been described as a near-perfect exercise. Compared with many sports and other recreational pursuits, walking: • is free and you don’t need special equipment; • is accessible, regardless of age, income or location; • is easy to start, build up gradually and continue long-term; • is within the physical capabilities of most people, and is a realistic goal for inactive people; • combines the physical benefits of activity with an opportunity for social contact and support; • with a group can make you feel safer, more confident and motivated; • can be easily incorporated into our daily lives; • can be enjoyed safely and has a low risk of injury; • is a great introduction to a healthy lifestyle including healthy eating, stopping smoking and reducing stress. People are more likely to continue walking long after a structured walking programme and, given that walking is a near-perfect exercise, let’s get more people walking more often!
2026 Programme
March 18 Stranmilis
April 22 Dungannon park
May 20 The Quoile (Downpatrick)
June 17 Gosford Forest Park
We meet at Church and leave promptly at 9.30 am. The walks are enjoyable and not too arduous. The conversations are a great way to make new friendships and we go for coffee/tea and scones afterwards. Contact Alastair Peoples (07966541746) for more info. Or use the sign up sheet in the welcome area on the Sunday before the walk
If you would like to express an interest for now please contact Alastair Peoples at info@mazepc.org with your contact details and we will be in touch.
