Perhaps you’ve decided you would like to walk more, improve your fitness, meet new people or simply spend more time outdoors.

Joining a walking group can be a great way to do all of those things, but taking that first step can bring lots of questions.

Where do I go? Will I be fit enough? What if I’m too slow? Will everyone already know each other?

Here are some answers to help.

Where can I find a walking group?

WALX Coast and Country is a friendly, welcoming walking and outdoor exercise group running regular walks throughout the Arun District and areas around Chichester.

There are many walking groups available across our region, so think about what is important to you. Location is certainly one consideration. How far are you prepared to travel for a walk? Is your travelling time going to be longer than the activity itself?

You may also want to consider the variety of walks available, the level of support provided and whether the group offers something that suits your particular goals.

Will I fit in if I come on my own?

Absolutely.

Many of our walkers first come to WALX Coast and Country on their own and very quickly become part of our walking community.

You don’t need to know anyone before you arrive. Walking alongside someone naturally gives you the opportunity to chat, and friendships soon develop.

The social side of WALX Coast and Country is a very important part of what we do.

What sort of walks are available?

Lots!

Our programme includes everything from gentle Health Walks through to 10 mile weekend walks, with plenty in between.

We have shorter one hour walks, our regular 90 minute walks, longer countryside walks and more challenging sessions.

Our walks are graded Easy, Moderate and Challenging, helping you decide what might be suitable for you.

You certainly don’t have to start with the longest or fastest walk. Sometimes a shorter, slower walk is exactly the right place to begin.

What happens when I first join?

You won’t simply be expected to register and work everything out for yourself.

Denise will send you all the information you need and will also arrange to have a chat with you.

She will ask what you would like to achieve by joining a walking group, find out about your current activity and fitness levels and help you decide where would be best to start.

Everyone is different, so it is about finding the right option for you.

Do I need to be fit to join a walking group?

No.

Our members have a wide range of fitness levels, and the important thing is finding the right starting point.

You may want to improve your general fitness, maintain your mobility, get back into exercise after a break or work towards longer and more challenging walks.

We can help you find a session that suits where you are now and give you opportunities to progress when you are ready.

What if I am too slow?

This is one of the biggest concerns we hear from new walkers.

Finding the right walk for your current ability is important, but we also have a NO DROP policy. Nobody gets left behind.

We have ways of accommodating different walking abilities while keeping the group together. Faster walkers can still have opportunities to stretch themselves and work harder, without making somebody else feel they are holding everyone up.

Do I need to use walking poles?

Not necessarily.

Poles are an excellent fitness tool and can add a lot to your walking, but we also have specific Explorer WALX where you can walk without poles.

If you are curious about using poles, Denise can lend you a pair so you can have a go.

You can also attend one of our Power of Poles sessions at any stage if you would like to learn how to use them effectively.

How do I find the right walk for my fitness level?

You don’t have to make that decision alone.

Having a chat or meeting with Denise, or attending one of our introductory sessions, will help establish the best place for you to start.

As your fitness and confidence improve, you can then explore more of the programme.

There is no pressure to progress at somebody else’s pace. The aim is to find the type of walking and activity that works for you.

How do I get started?

This is the easy bit.

Contact Denise by phone or email and have a chat.

You don’t need to know which walk you want to join, whether you want to use poles or even exactly what you’re looking for yet.

That’s what the conversation is for.

📞 Denise, 01243 908098
✉️ denise@walxcandc.co.uk

Sometimes the hardest part of joining a walking group is simply making that first contact.

Once you’ve done that, we can help with the rest.