When you want to exercise, sometimes you just want to walk to get fit. And that’s perfectly fine! It’s the easiest and most likely the least expensive, and most accessible to just about everybody. Here are some informational tidbits about walking clubs and groups around Louisville and the surrounding areas.
Norton Healthcare has a free Get Healthy Walking Club, their program designed to get adults ages 18 and older into a routine of exercising by walking. It is geared for people of all fitness levels; you can join or get more information here, or call 502-629-1234 with questions. Once you join, you will receive a Best Foot Forward Kit that will help jumpstart a path to health and wellness that fits your lifestyle.
Some perks that are included in the membership to Norton Healthcare’s Get Healthy Walking Club:
For Mall Walkers, you can enter the various malls early and walk in a safe and stable climate area. The Mall St. Matthews opens at 7:30 a.m. M-Sat and 10 a.m. on Sundays. The perimeter of the mall is 1.2 miles. The Oxmoor Center opens at 7:30am M-Sat and 10am on Sundays. The perimeter of the mall is ¾ of a mile. Jefferson Mall opens at 9 a.m. M-Sat and 11 a.m. on Sundays. The perimeter of the mall is ¾ of a mile. Members of the Norton Healthcare walking club can also be a Zoo Walker. This runs March 1-October 30 on Mondays-Saturdays from 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. The zoo walking path is 1.1 miles long and is both flat and hilly. Members of the Norton Healthcare can also be path walkers at Shively Park and Leeds Park which are both located in the city of Shively in south Louisville.
Become a member of the Derby City Walkers! Membership is $5 per person/$7.50 per couple per year. You’ll meet some great friends to walk with and participate in fun group events and activities.
Check out the Walk to Run Club that meets at UofL’s campus. Right now they are at full capacity; you can email ghn@louisville.edu to be added to the waiting list.
There’s a neat site called mapmywalk.com that outlines several great walking paths or trails throughout the city. Check out the local link here.
You can look into joining the Louisville Hiking Club; they have a lot of hikes and day trips on their schedule.
We JUST missed National Walking Day, which was Wednesday, April 2. The good thing about walking is that you can start it ANY day! The link (above) on the Louisville Metro Government website has some great tips for getting involved and involving those around you as well.
Here’s a resource for great exercise paths via the Louisville Metro Parks department. Walk a Mayor’s Mile, part of the Mayor’s Healthy Hometown movement.
Other great places to walk:
The Parklands of Floyds Fork, which includes part of the Louisville Loop.
Louisville Waterfront Park area
Crescent Hill Reservoir and Gate House
Know of other places that are perfect for walking? Tweet them to me @LouStoryGal – I’m always looking for a new path upon which to tread lightly.
Cover photo courtesy of www.nortonhealthcare.com/walkingclub; other photo by Erin Nevitt
