Articles > Health-Wellbeing

This month I joined Swansea Power Walkers, for their regular Tuesday evening meeting at 7pm in Swansea University car park 2.

 

Finola Wilson started the popular power walking group in July 2007. Finola was a teacher, and ten years ago decided to stop teaching. At that time she was 3 stone overweight and a smoker, so decided that she really needed to change her ways. She started jogging half a mile every day and gradually increased to 5k and then 10k. Finola was inspired to complete an organiser course for the Womens Running Network in 2003 and then became a personal trainer. She is currently competing in Ultra Running which sees participants running distances in excess of marathons and can be anything from 30 miles upwards. Next year Finola has a really hectic schedule with 3 marathons planned in 3 days and also running the length of Wales in aid of the Welsh Womens Aid, anyone who like to donate please log onto www.justgiving.com/finolarunswales or www.runwales.blogspot.com.

 

A group of approximately seventeen ladies of all different ages, abilities and levels of fitness congregated in the car park and we started the session with some warm-up exercises and stretches to loosen the muscles and then we headed off at a steady pace, through the university and into Singleton Park. As we all found our pace and our muscles were thoroughly warmed, Finola decided that we were ready to increase the speed and periodically we would walk flat out for approximately 30 second bursts. However it doesn't matter if you are unable to keep up with the faster individuals, as Finola is always carefully checking that everyone is able to cope and if anyone is starting to lag behind a little, then the group all perform an about turn to ensure that the faster individuals are now at the rear of the group.

 

We left Singleton Park and headed towards Sketty Park continuing the faster bursts of walking and then turned into Derwen Fawr, as we headed back down Sketty Lane we walked at a nice, steady pace and proceeded through Singleton Hospital grounds and back into the University. Finally we ended the session with some stretches and cool down exercises to relax the muscles.

The club is for anyone of any ability; everyone was taking part for different reasons including to lose weight, to tone the muscles, to get more active and to just get out and exercise in the fresh air with a group of like minded people.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the session and it didn't feel like exercise - instead of staring out of a gym window we were in the fresh air and enjoy the surroundings. It’s an opportunity to discover local areas that you may never have seen before and to have a chat whilst walking – it really makes the hour fly by.

 

Power Walking is great for the heart health and can help to reduce blood pressure and protect against coronary heart disease, diabetes and strokes. It’s also great for weight loss and controlling weight an hour’s brisk walk may burn up to 300 calories!

 

It will also increase your muscle tone and is great for toning waists and bums - I will have a bottom like Kylie Minogue!!!

 

Power Walking can help to boost your metabolism, increase energy levels and improve your immunity whilst also helping with insomnia and stress. Regular walking can help to strengthen bones and reduce the risk of bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

 

You will need to wear comfortable trainers, a good sports bra and depending on the weather, a lightweight waterproof jacket and a hat. A bottle of water is advisable for a well deserved drink at the end.

 

If you fancy de-stressing, getting out into the fresh air whatever the weather and enjoy walking different routes with a group of really friendly individuals then try power walking.

 

Swansea Power Walkers meet every Tuesday and Thursday at 12-1pm in Clyne Valley Gardens and 7-8pm in Swansea University, if you require any further information then contact Finola on 0781 775 2172 or e-mail finola_online@hotmail.com