Walking - Why is it good for me?

A brisk ten minute walk can make a huge difference to your health – it gets the heart pumping faster, can make you feel better, more energetic and improve your mood. Over time, brisk walking can help to lower the risk of serious illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

How much does it cost?

Nothing! Walking is free and can even save you money on travel costs.

What equipment do I need?

The good news is you don't have to wear sports kit or start an expensive fitness programme!

Before you start:

• Wear any shoes or trainers that are comfortable, provide adequate support and do not cause blisters.
• If you're walking to work, you could wear your usual work clothes with a comfy pair of shoes and change shoes when you get into work.
• For long walks, you may want to take some water, healthy snacks, a spare top, sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat in a small backpack.
• If you start going for longer walks regularly, you may want to invest in a waterproof jacket and some specialist walking shoes for more challenging routes.

You can also use the Active 10 app to monitor how much you are walking

Walk Together is a physical activity initiative offering a weekly programme of free, sociable, and accessible group walks within Leicestershire led by trained volunteer walk leaders. Walk Together is coordinated, developed and delivered via a partnership of Leicestershire Local Authorities and Leicester-shire & Rutland Sport.

Before booking onto a walk, please fill in the completed registration form below (please note you only need to do this once). We are asking for these details for monitoring and evaluation purposes.

Walking is one of the easiest and most acceptable forms of physical activity that can be incorporated into everyday life.

Evidence shows 10 minutes of brisk walking (3mph) per day for 7 days:

• increases physical fitness
• makes everyday physical activities e.g. climbing stairs or housework easier
• boosts your mood
• improves quality of life
• supports a healthier weight
• reduces risk of early death by 15%

Individuals with an existing health condition would likely achieve greater health benefits due to improvements in management of their condition.

Booking is essential prior to every walk. You can book as close as one hour before the walk is due to take place.

Cancellations Notice

In the event of bad weather or a shortage of staff in leading a walk, the Health and Leisure team may have to cancel a walk. In the event of a walk being cancelled, we will send an email to inform those who have attended a walk in the past or those that have booked onto a walk via the Blaby LSA website of the cancellation as the earliest possible convenience.

You can now book onto our walks using the link below