Harrow Striders

Did you know that walking with poles turns an everyday walk into a full-body workout?

At the Healthy Activities Afternoon, you can stop by the WALX with Harrow Striders stand and discover how Total Body Walking and Power of Poles (Nordic Walking) can help you:

✅️ Improve posture and balance
✅️ Strengthen your whole body
✅️ Reduce pressure on your joints
✅️ Enjoy the outdoors with friendly local groups

The event is a fantastic opportunity to explore the wide range of health and wellbeing activities available in and around Canons Park.

Some organisations will even be offering taster sessions, making it a great chance to try something new.

📍 Good Friends Café, Canons Park
🗓 Sunday 5 July
🕑 2pm to 5pm

Find out more:
https://canonsparkfriends.org/events

For some people, going for a walk is simple. But for others, it takes a bit more thought. 🤔

This can involve...

💭 Who’s around
💭What time it is
💭 Where they’re going

That’s why conversations around safety, led by This Girl Can and Ukactive, matter. ✨

Locally, we’re continuing those conversations with groups and teams like Harrow Police, helping to create environments where more people feel confident getting outdoors.

Getting involved in community groups or exercising outdoors is also about feeling comfortable,s supported, and being able to move freely. 💜

Want to join a supportive group? Get in touch: 📩 [email protected]

There’s a lot of focus on hitting 10,000 steps a day, but it doesn’t have to start there.

A lot of people joining our walks across North West London are simply looking for something manageable that helps them feel a bit better, physically and mentally. 🌱

Walking is low pressure. With poles, it can help people stay steady while improving balance and posture, and it’s easier to build into a routine than most expect.

Over time, people often start to notice changes in their energy, mood, and overall wellbeing. ✨

Research shared by the British Heart Foundation suggests that even lower step counts can still support heart health, especially when movement becomes part of everyday life.

Organisations like MyHealth London provide trusted advice around cardiovascular health and long-term conditions, helping people understand that small, consistent steps can still make a real difference. 😊

We see it every week. People start small, build gradually, and begin to feel more confident in their movement. There’s no pressure to hit a number, just a starting point!

If someone is looking to understand their health better, they can start here:
🔗 https://www.myhealthlondon.nhs.uk/

Waiting until later to get out for your evening walk? This notice may be of interest to you.

A really interesting read. Whether it’s to get more out of your daily walk or out on an adventure knowing how to use nordic walking poles effectively can make a big difference.

Walking with Poles (Not Sticks) And other unexpected things I learned from my week with WALX

Walking is one of the world's best, most accessible exercises - it costs nothing, boosts your mental health, and is fantastic for your heart and longevity! 🚶

This article gives you 5 simple ways to level up your walk! And we're thrilled that Nordic Walking is listed as the #1 way to supercharge your steps.

Using poles, either for Nordic Walking or Total Body Walking, engages your upper body, increases your heart rate, and burns more calories. 🤗

Ready to take your steps from good to great? Your road to better health starts here!

https://patient.info/features/healthy-living/5-ways-to-get-more-out-of-every-step-you-take-on-the-road-to-better-health

5 ways to get more out of every step you take on the road to better health Transform your walks into a more effective fitness tool. These 5 simple tweaks can amplify the health rewards of your daily steps.

One of the benefits of walking regularly? You get to see places change with the seasons, not just pass through them. 🌸

Wildflowers across Wood Farm, Stanmore Country Park, looking particularly colourful this morning!

Regular movement often becomes easier when it feels social rather than isolating. 😊

That is one of the reasons walking groups can help people stay more consistent over time.

Exercise does not than its physical benefits. It creates:

1️⃣ conversation
2️⃣ routine
3️⃣ fresh air
4️⃣ familiar local spaces
5️⃣ moving alongside other people at a comfortable pace

For many people, that support makes getting active feel far more manageable.

🌿 harrowstriders.co.uk

Healthy habits work best when they’re realistic 💚

Small, evidence-based changes, not extremes, support our hearts and our long-term wellbeing.

Add regular walking in green spaces, and those habits are far more likely to stick.

Learn more: 🔗 https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/nutrition/small-changes-add-up

Your body does not need more intensity. It needs the chance to unfold. 🌱

Total Body Walking with poles naturally encourages better posture, helping you stand taller, breathe more easily, and move more freely.

As part of Age UK’s Act Now Age Better campaign, WALX groups across the country, including ours, are helping people discover that movement doesn’t have to be intense to be effective. ⚡

It’s low impact, easy to learn, and designed to support your strength, balance, and wellbeing from day one.

You can start with a FREE 45-minute introduction session and feel the difference for yourself:

👉 https://age-uk.walx.co.uk/