Woodleigh Chase Walking Club Makes Exercise Fun

For Marty and Bruce Kirchner, living at Woodleigh Chase has been a walk in the park--literally. Since moving to the Erickson Senior Living community in Fairfax, Va., from Chapel Hill, N.C., the active couple has started a walking and hiking club that hits a variety of trails within a 20- to 30-minute drive of the campus.

"Walking really makes me feel happy, healthy, and alert," says Marty. "We were part of a hiking group in Chapel Hill, where we would hike about eight miles a week. We wanted to start something similar when we moved to Woodleigh Chase." 

From May through September, the club meets weekly to hike nearby trails like Lake Mercer in Springfield, Burke Lake, and the first trail loop at Manassas Battlefield. 

"We try to select walks or hikes of varying levels of difficulty, where people have the choice of walking a minimum of three miles or going the distance at five or six," says Bruce. "There are no formal rules or meetings, just a group of people who enjoy walking." 

He adds, "As we grow, we hope to be able to form a spinoff group for those who are interested in something a little more challenging."

Seeing the world

As experienced hikers, Marty and Bruce have enjoyed scenic walks all over the world. Whether hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc in Europe, the Dolomites mountain range in northern Italy, or the W Circuit in Chile, they say one factor remains the same: Preparation is key. 

Before each hike, Bruce maps out the route to accommodate a variety of walking abilities and ensures each hike is safe. Marty then sends out information about the location, terrain, and forecasted weather, so participants can know what to expect. 

They note that apps like All Trails make searching by location or trail name easy. The app also provides photos and information such as distance, terrain, and degree of difficulty. 

"We encourage everyone to bring water and a snack and to use a hiking stick or walking poles when we are doing a trail with inclines. Even if you are fit and stable, they provide relief to your knees," says Marty. 

She continues, "And we always have a first aid pack with us. We take breaks along the way, and no one is ever left behind. If you go a mile and decide you can't walk any more, one of us will always turn around and go back with you."

Walk this way

Woodleigh Chase resident and club member Norm Gelfand recalls that he was hesitant to go five miles on his first time out with the group, but after that initial hike, he became a regular. 

"It's become a weekly activity for me," says Norm. "I tried to stay active before I moved to Woodleigh Chase, but I'm a lot more likely to walk with a group than I am to go out and do this on my own. It has made a positive impact in my life."

"Daily physical activity boosts endurance, coordination, and balance," says Fitness Manager Kathy Duke. "It can also help you perform your favorite activities with ease." 

In addition to nearby trails and outdoor walking paths within the community, all buildings at Woodleigh Chase are connected by climate-controlled walkways.

"Walking is great exercise. Here, you can walk inside or outside to get your steps in," says Duke. "When the weather is not optimal, we have mapped a half-mile indoor walking route. Some residents enjoy water walking in the indoor pool. And, of course, the treadmills in the fitness center are very popular."

A social experience

Marty and Bruce are happy they could bring this fun, social activity with them to their new home. 

"We would laugh so loud that you could hear us coming from five miles away," says Marty. "We encourage people to have fun and chat. In just a short time, people are already getting to know one another and friendships are forming." 

Bruce agrees. "We chat as we walk, and I find the conversations to be very interesting. It's one of the highlights of my week! When I am out walking the trails with the group, it doesn't feel like exercise. The time just flies by."

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