Theres so much going on in WALX groups from John O Groats to Littlehampton that we find it hard to keep up sometimes – here is a snapshot. The good news is that we also have another 10 groups launching this Autumn so if there’s nothing in your area yet, hopefully you will be WALXing soon too.

WALXers from several groups joined the WALX Hampstead team for a tourist trail around the sights of London – including the Tower of London, the Globe Theatre, St. Pauls Cathedral and Buckingham Palace – the walk was scheduled as a welcome to the team fromWALX Taiwan who were on a fact finding trip to the UK but it was such a success, its being repeated for those who could not make the first one

We love the way our groups get together or welcome individuals from other areas to their special events – combine that with the fact that those who pay monthly get a free walk with other groups every month and daily online sessions with us here at HQ.

Ian a walk leader for from MK Nordic walking has completed over 14 challenge walks and the latest one was a 50 km hike in the Chilterns which he completed in just over 10 hours.

Ian is one of an estimated 250,000 people who take part in charity challenge hikes every year. As WALX HQ is situated on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset famous for such hikes we are lucky enough to help participants understand how poles can help them. Using poles correctly is not just to help with hills as many believe, they can reduce fatigue, improve speed and help with knee/hip/ankle pain too – Whats not to like?

If you want to motivate yourself to walk more, sign up for a challenge and contact your local group to find out how to train for the event and complete it feeling fresh as a daisy!

We are so proud of WALX MASTER Sue Collen from WALX with Harrow Striders who recently won a lifetime  achievement award from her local Council in Harrow ( North London)

Sue has spent a lifetime in education and helping people and we have seen her blossom from a leader to a full WALX Master able to help people with their walking, strength, balance and mood.

A true inspiration, Sue delivers the WALX 6 week Active Start lifestyle plan and has introduced hundreds of people to total body walking – always with a smile!

Congratulations Sue – a well deserved award

Meanwhile in St Albans, Sharon and Jennifer from WALX Ver Valley delivered a talk for the local Age UK branch on walking with poles for balance, mobility and stability. Here they are demonstrating the strapless Xcelerator and Ability poles which are designed to encourage good posture whilst providing support.

Proof that at WALX we cater for all levels from care home residents to mountain climbers with a shared mission to get as many people on their feet as we can!

It’s not all about how many steps or how fast those steps are – it’s about the quality of the steps and the confidence that moving well can provide.

Find out more about how our Instructors are trained to tailor pole walking for each individual HERE

The WALX Dorset group are used to being pioneers and over the years they have tested most of our programmes before we launch them on the wider public. Being attached to WALX HQ, they know we are likely to turn up with new kit or ideas from Yoga walking to walk and wild swim sessions!

No surprise then when we added silent disco headphones to their Total body walking fitness sessions recently. What did surprise them was how much harder they worked when we selected music with the right beat plus how much fun they had too. We noticed how much better their poling techniques were too (but don’t tell them)

Several WALX groups will soon be trained to deliver WALX Silent strides programmes for all levels soon!

Celebrating a the seasons and connecting with nature are something we all love to do so the recent partial eclipse saw groups meeting up with their glasses, colanders and the odd picnic or two. Lovely walks were finished with a shared experience in some stunning locations.

This picture is of WALX Wessex celebrating the Autumn equinox and the fantastic harvest moon recently.

Now is the time to enjoy Autumn colours, first frosts and misty spider webs so pick up those poles and get outside, you will be so glad you did!

Enjoy! Team WALX