How to Find Walking Groups for Seniors

You already know how important it is to exercise and stay fit, especially as you age. The surgeon general recommends 150 minutes of exercise per week for adults, or thirty minutes per day for five days each week, but that doesn’t mean you need to lift heavy weights, take an intense Zumba class, or go for a ten-mile run to stay in shape. Simply walking at a brisk pace for thirty minutes – even if those thirty minutes aren’t done all at once – is the perfect way to meet this exercise goal.

Walking has a ton of health benefits for people in all stages of life. The biggest benefit of walking is improved physical health. Walking helps maintain a healthy weight, strengthens muscles and bones, and improves cardiovascular fitness. Staying strong and fit helps prevent falls and other injuries.

Walking can also boost mental health. When you take a walk outside, your brain releases serotonin – the happiness chemical – which promotes a positive mood. Additionally, walking helps keep joints flexible and can even improve sleep. That’s a lot of benefits from a walk around the block.

Any type of exercise is better in a group setting and walking is no different. Walking groups for seniors are relatively easy to find and are a great way for elderly adults to socialize while exercising. 

The quickest way to find elderly walking groups is a quick Google search using the phrase “senior walking groups near me.” Many local community centers host walking groups. Local senior care homes may also organize walking groups in which anyone can participate, not just residents.

Your state’s health department may offer information about senior walking groups on their website. For example, Pennsylvania’s Department of Health has a webpage that links to every walking group in Pennsylvania organized by county. The group descriptions offer contact information to get involved with the groups as well as maps of safe, maintained walking trails and routes. 

The American Heart Association also strongly promotes walking as an effective form of exercise for seniors, particularly those concerned about their cardiovascular health. Their website offers information on how to use MeetUp.com to find local walking groups as well as information on starting your own walking group in your area. MeetUp.com is a great resource for finding groups near you. 

AARP also shares several resources on their website about organizing and running a walking club for seniors. 
Walking with a group will not only give you an opportunity to socialize, but it will also help motivate you to get moving. Your fellow walkers can help hold you accountable and keep you moving, even on days when the weather might not be very nice or when you just don’t feel like going out. It is so important to keep your heart healthy as you age, and walking is one of the best ways to do exactly that. So, whether you join a local senior walking club or start one of your own, put on your sneakers and go for a walk. 

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