So many people, especially those who don’t participate in winter sports, find themselves getting sedentary during the winter months.
It gets dark early, it’s cold outside, and the couch is beckoning. But the Town of Golden Recreation Department is providing options to keep us active this winter, including the winter walking program.
“It’s basically utilizing one of our recreation facilities to allow the public to get out and get active,” said Jordan Petrovics, manager of recreation services.
Every Wednesday and Friday from now until March (with a break during Christmas holidays), from 1 to 2:30 p.m., the Mount 7 Rec Plex will be reserved for people who want to get active and start walking.
“Anybody who wants to come out for a walk, stretch their legs and be active is more than welcome to come and do some laps. And it’s free,” added Petrovics.
People can come for as much or as little time as they want, although the average tends to be about 45 minutes. The town has been running this program for a few years, and last season they saw about 25 to 30 people come out per session.
“It’s very hard to get cardio in during the winter. There’s less daylight, and to be able to get up in the morning and go to the gym when it’s still dark out is never easy. And if you’re working during the day, by the time you go home it’s dark and you just want to relax. So exercising during the day, maybe on their lunch hour, might be ideal for some people,” said Kim Bryan, recreation services co-ordinator.
“People can come on their lunch break and get in their fitness for the day, and still be able to go home and have dinner.”
There were already some familiar faces at the first walking session of the season, showing that the program tends to be as social as it is healthy.
“If people want to meet up with their friends here, then they’ll be more likely to stick with an exercise program and be glad that they came. And while you’re walking you get to catch up with your friends and chat, and then it doesn’t feel like work,” said Bryan.
“But it is definitely exercise. Walking is a great way to stay on top of your cardio, and maintain your bone density and your overall health and well being.”
