Walking Programs Across the USA

We are so very lucky to have so many walking programs here in the Pacific Northwest. While out walking on any given day you will come across groups from the Mazamas, Team in Training, WOW Walk Club, Portland Fit, Get Fit Live Fit, Volkswalkers and so many more. While in Santa Fe, NM this past month Walk About magazine discovered how the city of Santa Fe is getting people to walk and fight diabetes. The Department of Health of New Mexico brought Prescription Trails, a walking program, to Santa Fe.

The program kicked off in August with the mayor leading a group of 25 people on a 45 minute walk. The Department of Health handed out prescription sheets and walking guides to doctors offices around the city and doctors will prescribe their patients a walking regimen to help them get in shape. The program began in Albuquerque, NM in 2006. Anna Hargreaves, the health educator for the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program of the Department of Health is the woman behind the walking program. “The primary goal from a health point of view is to encourage people to walk, and the primary goal from the city’s point of view is to promote the parks” says Hargreaves.

Walk With a Doc is another walking program located in Columbus, OH. Started by Dr. David Sabgir, a board-certified cardiologist, Walk With a Doc is a free walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle.

Their mission is to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages, and reverse the nationwide epidemic of obesity. Dr. Sabgir provides a weekly update that is very entertaining, to say the least. He offers health and menu tips on his website www.walkwithadoc.org. While you walk at your own pace, you have the opportunity to have questions answered by the cardiologist and his medical staff. At each walk you receive free blood pressure checks, a pedometer, energizing food, beverages, and of course a great walk. If you have a walk group or club in your town that you would like to share please contact us at pam@walkaboutmag.com.

Fit Right Northwest Makes the Right Move

In February 2010 (exact date TBD), Fit Right Northwest Running & Walking store will be moving four blocks away from their current location at 1207 NW 23rd Avenue to 2258 NW Raleigh (just off of NW 23rd Ave.) in Portland’s Northwest neighborhood. After nine years at their current location, Fit Right is expanding the size and selection offered within their Portland store.

By moving just a few blocks away, Fit Right’s new space will allow them to triple the existing retail floor to 3,000 sq. ft., within their recently purchased 5,000 sq. Ft. building. Some of the new features and highlights to accompany this move will be a significant increase in their product selection. Not only will they increase the number of models and brands of shoes and accessories; Fit Right estimates that their current apparel selection will also quadruple in size. “The new space with 13’ ceilings will offer a much larger and more conducive shopping experience for our customers,” says founder, Dave Sobolik.

“We are also installing a three lane track surface allowing customers to walk or run around the perimeter of our retail floor. This surface will be ideal for customers to test out their shoes indoors and not break their stride.”

In addition to the product selection and track surface, Fit Right’s new store will be completly wired for an amazing audio/visual experience making it an ideal location for in-store events, educational seminars, and training clinics.

For a detailed map and description of the move, click on the link on their website at www.fitrightnw.com.

Power Fitness PDX with Change Comes New Adventure

The new kid on the block is the brain child of Erin Shirey. You all knew her as the owner of Portland’s Baby Boot Camp. Shirey has passed the torch on to Stephanie Summers for Baby Boot Camp Portland Metro.

Ready for a change and a new adventure Shirey opened Power Fitness PDX. Out of need and many requests from clients Shirey began holding classes in her new studio space, located in NE Portland at the brand new Anti Gravity Center, Shirey holds small group training and boot camps. The classes are offered in the early morning hours for those that head off to work or if you are one of those that must get your workout in the first thing.

Shirey offers several four week series of classes. Starting in November session seven begins and is titled Dedication. The next series is titled Discipline and is an intensive three week class. For more information about the upcoming classes go to http://powerfitnesspdx.blogspot.com.