Walk your way to health - Ramblers Association offers free health checks at the Outdoors Show
07 March 2008
Stand OU521 - The Outdoors Show, NEC Birmingham 14-16th March
Want to get in shape for summer? Worried
about how to shed those extra pounds? If so, then visit the
Ramblers’ Association at the Outdoors Show at the NEC from
14-16th March and walk yourself healthy!
The Ramblers’ Association, Britain’s biggest charity working for
walkers, is promoting the health benefits of walking by offering
visitors to Stand OU521 the chance to enjoy a free health check
at a special walk-in clinic. In addition, those who join the
Ramblers’ Association at the Outdoors Show (or who join by
direct debit up to two months after the Show) will receive a
free step counter worth £10.95.
While reports about obesity, stress, depression and other
ailments frequently appear in the media, the health benefits of
regular walking are often overlooked, yet research shows that:
• 30 minutes of brisk walking a day will make a big difference
to your health
• Regular walking reduces the risk of coronary heart disease by
up to 50%*
• A brisk one-mile walk in 20 minutes burns around 100 calories
• Only 30% of people in the UK currently get enough exercise to
maintain a
healthy lifestyle and fitness level**
• More walking could save £10.9 billion off the national health
bill***
* Department of Health ** NHS Direct ***Countryside Agency/ Natural England
Walking is such an ordinary everyday activity that most
people take it for granted. But it’s actually a perfect form of
natural exercise that helps you stay healthy and live longer,
controls your weight and keeps you happy, while letting you
enjoy time with friends and family, discover more about your
local area, save on gym fees, and even look after the
environment as walking is carbon neutral!
And the benefits don’t stop there. In fact, scientific studies*
show that walking can:
• Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
• lower blood pressure
• reduce high cholesterol
• reduce body fat and help control body weight
• enhance mental well being
• increase bone density helping to prevent osteoporosis
• reduce the risk of cancer of the colon
• reduce the risk of non insulin dependant diabetes
• Help osteoarthritis (wear and tear of the joints)
• Help flexibility and co-ordination, reducing the risk of falls
* (Sources: Davison & Grant 1993, US Dept of Health 1996, BHF
2000)
Whether you walk regularly or not, drop by the Ramblers walk-in
clinic on Stand OU521 for a quick health check. A professional
nurse will be on hand to measure your blood pressure and BMI
(body mass index), and give hints and tips for enjoying a more
healthy lifestyle. As well as the free clinic, you’ll also be
able to search for local walks taking place in your area, pick
up a range of walking materials, and find out more about the
benefits of membership.
With over 500 free led walks around the country each week,
ranging from short relaxing strolls to bracing mountain hikes,
and with a range of great membership benefits including
discounts at Millets, Blacks and Rohan stores, there’s never
been a better time to get fit for summer by joining the
Ramblers’Association.