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Health Walks
Why Walking?
Walking is an ideal form of exercise to promote. It is of sufficient intensity to improve fitness and reap the numerous health benefits associated with exercise. It is within the capabilities of the majority of most people. It is low cost and low impact: the strain on the feet and joints is minimised so making the risk of injury very low. Walking is an ideal activity to encourage the large numbers of the population who are sedentary to move to a moderate level of fitness and it can be integrated into people's lifestyles relatively easily.
What is a Health Walk?
A short walk where people are encouraged to walk at their own pace, in their local area with a trained front and back marker. Walks last between 30 -45 minutes. Health walks differ from other ways of promoting good health because:
- They use parks and green spaces
- All walks are close to your home
- You don't need any special equipment
- They offer social contact as well as exercise
Regular Walking can:
- Increase confidence, stamina and energy levels
- Improve self-image and social relationships
- Promote neighbourliness, social interaction and community identity
- Tackle social isolation
- Reduce traffic congestion and the need for car related facilities;
- Discourage anti-social behaviour through more people being out and about
- Be a reason to conserve wildlife and enhance the character of local places
- Reduce depression and anxiety
- Include virtually everyone
The Sheffield Health Walks Project
- The Health Walk project started in 1999 with one weekly walk in North Sheffield- today there are over 20 walks held every week across the City.
- Health Walks vary in length (1km – 3.5km) and are designed for people of all ages and abilities.
- Our Project Workers usually meet potential walkers and groups to identify community needs and tailor walks accordingly.
- Proposed activitities are measured and risk assessed and must be accessible to all (e.g. some participants use mobility scooters, some use sticks and some are ambulant with a disability).
- As an incentive, to encourage walkers to continue taking part in health walks and for those who want to walk longer distances, trips out are organised further afield. For example, visits are made to Grenoside woods, Graves Park, Wosborough Lake and the Sheffield canal.
- After some of the weekly walks some people take part in a Tai Chi class, a yoga class and computer courses. A dietician has worked with some of the walking groups, advising and providing information about healthy eating regimes.
More information is available on our Current Programme of weekly Health Walks in Sheffield
If you are interested in a Health Walk or would like more information contact the team on 0114 203 9335/7 or email parksandcountryside@sheffield.gov.uk
Other Useful Links
The following links provide more information about walking and health related benefits:
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