How to start a walking group

Starting a walking group doesn't require much. Simply spread the word and get organized. Soon you'll be walking toward better health.

If you crave solitude, walking on your own might be the perfect workout. If you'd rather look to others for inspiration, don't go it alone. Start a walking group today!

Spread the word

Talk to family members, friends, neighbors and colleagues. You might be surrounded by people who are ready to lace up their walking shoes — and hold each other accountable for regular exercise. But you can branch out to others, too. Post a notice in your workplace cafeteria, or place an ad in your local newspaper or on a community Web site.

Get organized

Once you've recruited potential members of your walking group, hold a kickoff meeting. You might reserve a meeting room at the local library or community center, or arrange to meet at your favorite coffee shop or a local park.

Warmly greet all potential members of the group and request that everyone wear a name tag. Ask guests to provide their name, address, phone number and e-mail address so that you can contact them about upcoming events.

Then get down to business. Discuss:

How often to walk
When and where to meet
Whether to walk indoors or outdoors
What to do in case of bad weather
The route to take
The speed to walk
The distance to cover

If you have a large group with various fitness goals, consider breaking into smaller walking groups based on fitness level, fitness goals, availability or other factors.

Maintain momentum

Once your group's walking routine is established, look for ways to enhance motivation. You might choose a name for your walking group, design a group logo, enter charity walking events as a group, or set regular goals to increase walking time or intensity.

The camaraderie you experience in a walking group — and the shared fitness success — can help you walk your way to better health.