At WALX we are proud to be inspiring the over 50’s to exercise daily both outdoors and online with our groups and programmes.

With over 50 WALX groups and Instructors qualified to teach our unique power of poles workshops and unique blend of walking based functional exercises in sociable sessions.

As part of the Age UK Act Now Age Better campaign we thought we would highlight how amazing some of our WALXers are….

Gill Batty

Gill from Northamptonshire was never much of an exerciser and when she was feeling low mentally in 2017 she went to a wellbeing session at her local library which she says totally changed her life! 

Gill did like walking so when she saw some information about walking with poles she decided to give it a go. She joined local Instructor Helen and at once felt she had found something she enjoyed! Initially the group just went walking with their poles, enjoying a variety of routes and having a laugh so when Helen muted adding other exercises Gill and the others were not very keen. 

Helen was encouraging and persistent though because  she was qualified to deliver total body walking and knew the importance of adding balance, strength and functional movements into her sessions to complement the calorie boosting and CV workout created by the poles.  

As she noticed her fitness and balance improving, Gill began to attend more sessions including online fitness sessions with WALX HQ which started in Covid and are still available most days  

“I realised that I could climb steps and hills easier and on a recent trip to London, I found the tube a breeze where it used to be a struggle. Even standing for long periods is easier due to my stronger core and good posture and I can now enjoy my holidays more with lots of walking and a level of fitness I never thought I would have. I think the balance exercises and yoga have helped a lot too and I describe it as being like a weeble -If I lose my balance for an instant, I seem to be able to correct it quickly! 

Total body walking with poles and drills is the only form of exercise I have EVER stuck to, and I attend 3/ 4 sessions at week either in person or online – It’s like a one stop shop for me as I can get everything I need by being in one group. No need to go to yoga, the gym and find time to walk as well – I now also know how important it is to look after myself and I am fitter than I have ever been!” 

Jan Blanchard

Jan Blanchard (pictured with her group), in her late seventies, improved her fitness through pole walking after joining a local group in 2020 following her husband’s death. Despite arthritis challenges, she maintains mobility and strength by participating in total body walking sessions and strength exercises four times weekly, crediting her instructor and the group’s support for her enhanced balance, confidence, and ability to join walking trips, with no plans to stop. 

When she was enjoying some quite tough but stunning walks in the Dolomites this Summer, Jan realised that despite being her late seventies she was fitter than she was before she retired.  

Her fitness journey started in 2020 when she joined a local Nordic walking group following the loss of her husband. Despite the pandemic, the group provided exercise and companionship with daily meet ups online when walking together was not possible.  

Jan loves being outdoors and her poles became a lifeline as she was determined to manage arthritis in her hands, knees and hips plus avoid surgery if possible. Now she joins total body walking sessions with the group 4 times a week and says that being active, using poles and doing added strength exercises keeps her mobile. She believes that if she misses even a couple of weeks, she stiffens up and the pain comes creeping back.  

When Jan compares herself with others of the same age, she realises that her balance is much better and credits her Instructor Sharon who makes the group work on these elements as well as walking with the poles plus the fact she joins the free online classes too. 

I would still go out walking if I did not have a group near me, but I doubt I would not do as much and I would miss the motivation and encouragement (My Instructor Sharon even touches base if I am unwell for instance). I certainly would not have the strength or confidence to join the walking trips to Norfolk or Italy if I did not go total body walking and I have no plans to give it up any time soon” 

If you would like to try out your local WALX group as part of the Age UK Act Now Age Better campaign click HERE

Gill walks with WALX Heart of the Shires in Northamptonshire

Jan walks with WALX Ver Valley in St Albans, Herts.

Read the Age UK Act Now Age Better Press release HERE