WALX on The Chase is your gateway to health, fitness and mental wellbeing delivered in the picturesque Cannock Chase and surrounding woodlands. We read the maps so you can relax and enjoy the chatter and scenery. With walks ranging from the gentle Wellbeing walks all the way through to the high-intensity Ultimate Nordic session. Whichever level you are at, it’ll be very sociable and always fun.
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My name is Jodie Phillips, and I am a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with a particular passion for supporting women through peri-menopause and menopause. This stage of life can be challenging and overwhelming, and through my own personal experience, I understand just how significantly it can impact physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing. I connected with Sharon
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After what has been an amazing summer, the days are a little cooler, not quite three-layer weather yet, and a little shorter. Time to dust off the headtorches. Autumn can be the most scenic season as the colours move from green to yellow, orange and brown. The days can be crisp with the sunlight creating […]
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Newsletter Hi! Welcome to our latest Newsletter. Our recent communication has not been great so much so that this is our first newsletter of 2022. There was hope as the year started that we may be due some better news as we kept our fingers crossed that COVID-19 was on the decline, however, we […]
Role: WALX Master
A keen sportsman in his younger days Jon also completed 35 years pounding the keyboard as an IT professional. Jon began Nordic Walking in 2017 and found the low impact exercise a rewarding way to keep fit after experiencing a number of joint and muscle injuries aggravated by running. In addition the sociability enhances the experience both mentally and physically. He is a qualified Nordic Walking UK instructor and relishes having Cannock Chase and its surrounding areas as his place of work. Outdoor exercise is so rewarding. We have a connection to people, we want to help each other and share in one another’s successes, and this is the fundamental reason that WALX on the Chase exists. This is where we connect to each other as well as nature and our surroundings, this is when we exercise the mind and stress truly subsides. Your inspiration will come from each other and the camaraderie will help you achieve more than you ever thought possible. Exercising outside is a completely addictive experience, which is rarely hampered by the weather and there is a certain increased sense of achievement when you return from a session in the snow and rain. Our office, your playground will change you in many ways and we guarantee they will all be positive whilst being fun and enjoyable.
Role: WALX Master
A keen sportsperson Sharon had to give up competitive sport following a short illness aged 18. She tried a number of different physical activities none of which motivated continuation. Sharon came across an advert for Nordic Walking in 2017 and felt it would be a good way to exercise outdoors alongside her partner. Having worked as a Health and Safety Manager for over 20 years, the last 10 years have had an added focus on wellbeing and Sharon began to appreciate the benefits Nordic Walking provides both physically and mentally. This has inspired her to look at new opportunities to support workplaces in providing activities as part of their wellbeing programme. Sharon has recently qualified as a WALX Master and is looking forward to delivering her own training programmes.
Role: WALX Guide
Pam has always enjoyed being outdoors as she was brought up on a farm and spent her youth horse riding across fields and lanes. Since leaving home to go to university Pam has continued to enjoy the outdoors and after moving to Cannock in the 1980s has been a regular walker and runner on Cannock Chase. The Chase is so changeable with the seasons there is always something new to see and so many paths and routes that you can never get bored there. After 35 years in education, Pam retired from full-time work in the summer of 2019 but wanted to utilise her skills of motivating people to achieve more than they thought they could. After completing a Nordic walking course she felt that there were a lot of benefits to Nordic walking-the mental well being of exercising outdoors and the social side, meeting local people who all have their own reasons for taking part in Nordic walking. When the opportunity came to train as a WALX Guide Pam decided that this would be her opportunity to enjoy herself but also to “give back”. She would love you to join her on her walks
Role: WALX Guide
Mel started nordic walking in 2017 as a way to get some ‘me’ time whilst juggling family and work. Nordic walking brings together Mel’s love of walking and being outdoors with regular exercise and a great community of people to walk with. Walking on the Chase through the changing seasons is wonderful for mind and body; there is so much nature to see and different paths and challenges to suit your goals. After finding a hobby that has stuck for five years (many others have come and gone!), Mel took the opportunity to become a walk leader to support others to develop their own walking hobby. Mel particularly enjoys longer distance walking, taking her Nordic walking poles on a few 16 mile walks this year and she is always looking for new distance challenges to work towards.
Role: WALX Guide
Martin spent his professional career either behind the wheel of his car (40,000+ miles per year) or behind a desk directing business for others, but eventually for himself. Neither activity is particularly good for mental or physical health. To combat this problem, Martin trained in Wado Ryu, a discipline in Japanese self-defence and also joined a circuit training group administered by an ex-Regimental Sergeant Major! This certainly added to both mental and physical health. Post-COVID, 2022, Martin replied to a Facebook ad for Walx on The Chase and took up the challenge of regular walking in an area well known. Physically and mentally, Martin realised the importance of being outdoors, meeting new friends, and a general sense of wellbeing. Martin progressed to wanting to give something back to others by becoming a Walx leader.
I am now into my 2nd year with Walx on the Chase led by Jon. Physically and mentally I’m in a great place thanks to our outdoor gym - Cannock Chase. Come rain or shine, my new friends and I meet up for a 3 mile challenge of walking at a pace to suit all abilities. Nobody gets left behind! I can’t think of a week without Walx! Thanks to Jon and his team of walk leaders.
Been walking with this group for around three years now. Absolutely love it whatever the weather. Have seen improvements in both my physical and mental health and met some lovely people. Jon and other Walx leaders make it fun and ensure everyone is able to walk at their own pace. Have seen beautiful parts of Cannock Chase I would have not explored on my own. All Walx leaders enable individuals to feel included and safe. Thoroughly recommend.
WALX offers beautiful scenery, good company and the Nordic walking has improved my fitness. The team, led by Jon are amazing. Their knowledge about Cannock Chase ensures that the walks are varied, and suit the weather and the group on the day. I miss it when i can’t make it!! I would highly recommend it to anyone, of any age, and any fitness level.
I joined the group around 14 months ago. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Great to be out in a wonderful environment with great people on a regular basis.At the same time you are keeping fit and benefitting from the fresh air.The technique of Nordic Pole walking naturally strengthens your core and promotes weight loss too. As a treat once a month a longer walk includes a stop for coffee and cake.What’s not to like?
I joined the group about 18 months ago and have improved my fitness levels. The group is always of mixed ability and characters. You can have a chat. Or not. You can push yourself, or not. It’s up to you, no one gets left behind so no need to worry. Jon, Pam or Mel have the route sorted so just turn up and find out where we’re off to today.
Hello - I joined walx 14 months ago and it is now my favourite past timeI fell off a horse and had a shoulder injury and after walking with the poles on a weekly basis my shoulder is very much improved / together with warm up exercises before and after the walk - flexibility is also improvedJon is a wonderfully guy and together with his team Pam Lyndsey and Mel we are in safe hands - they know the routes well and are exceptionally prepared in case of emergencyIn addition to feeling healthier and having improved level of fitness after a stressful day at work or just with modern day living, a walk in the countryside with friends does wonders !Thankyou Jon / Walx
'I love walking but needed a challenge and was introduced to Nordic walking by a friend on a 'Bring your Friend for Free' taster. It's a great way to get a full-body workout and walk in the fresh air with fantastic scenery. Using poles improves your posture whilst working muscles all over your body. It has been better for me than going to the gym as I like being outdoors. Jon is a great teacher and provides challenging walks that all abilities can enjoy. You feel a great sense of achievement once you have completed them. A great way to get fit!'
Freedom to roam in the fresh air! “I love the variety in Nordic walking – it can be a chance to challenge yourself on hill climbs and longer walks or it can be chance to absorb the ever-changing scenery of the Chase on a shorter walk. Nordic Walking helps me physically and mentally – I enjoy the exercise of walking with poles and taking on the challenges of hills (I choose to do the hills – not every walk has them!) and I find being outside in nature really helps me to relax.”
Exercising in the great outdoors, good for the mind, body and soul! Seeing new things, birds and deer. Sunrise and sunset walks are stunning which brings great joy! Helping you keep fit using new techniques. No walk is ever the same, so many things to see in nature and a different experience every time!
WALX on The Chase is exploring the chase while improving your health. My favourite is aspect is being able to explore the Chase and be outdoors and also being able to book onto any walk and meet so many friendly people. Even though I have only been a member for a month I have already attended more walks than me ever walking into a gym in a year. After a fair few years of joining gyms and paying for memberships that I’ve never used I decided to give Nordic Walking a try.
I have made some lovely friends through WALX. Having a booked slot means that I can prioritise going out regardless of the chores or work waiting at home or the weather. Walking part of the South Shropshire Way was a highlight. I love the fresh air, increased fitness, spending time with lovely people and the scenery.
I’m probably one of the oldest members of the group at over 70 but there is always a walk to suit me and even if I slow down at the hills, I always feel part of the group and by the end of every walk, rain or shine I feel at least 20 years younger. Nordic Walking is walking at another level, exercising upper and lower body and helped by the unique poles. Spending time outside in a stunning and varied location, exercising the whole body while relaxing with a variety of friends. The combination of outdoor exercise, a sense of adventure, fun and friendship is a winner, life-changing and such fun
I joined WALX on The Chase around a year ago because I wanted to do something that wasn’t running but got me outdoors. I suffer from sciatica so was looking for something fairly low impact. I love being outdoors and get a huge amount both physically and mentally from being at one with nature. I find exercising on my own a bit boring and love the social aspect of WALX on The Chase. We meet up on a Saturday morning, have a pretty good workout walk and then some of us go for a cuppa at the end. What more could you ask for to start your weekend! Nordic walking has been provided to be as beneficial if not more so than running because you are working your upper body as well as your lower body and I get more out of breath Nordic Walking than I do running. Jon has a great group of people who regularly walk and we have become friends and would like to welcome more people into the group. The benefit of WALX on The Chase is that it can be tailored to each ability and there are different style walks available to cater for everyone, it is a game-changer in so many ways.