Exercise isn’t always associated with fun, which is why many people don’t do it. Given the choice, anything that feels like work will usually fail to make the list of things you want to do when you don’t have to do anything.
However, making exercise a social activity can make it more appealing.
Created by the Auburn Parks and Recreation Department in October 2007, the Auburn Stride Walkers is a local walking group that meets three times a week at various walking trails in the Auburn-Opelika area. Group membership is free and open to the public.
Friday, the Stride Walkers gathered at the Dean Road Recreation Center for its tri-weekly 3-mile walk. With the temperature exceeding 80 degrees by 9 a.m., this is considered a “modest day,” to Melissa Weldon, the group leader.
“You know we’re dedicated walkers when we get up in the morning and the humidity is as a high as the temperature,” said Mike Hogan, who has been a member since he moved here from Ohio six months ago.
Hogan, relatively new to the area and the group, has been a walker for years. Claiming that Ohio’s limited seasons affected his walking routine, Hogan said he prefers walking in the mild Alabama weather.
“Being new to the area, I’ve learned a lot of places to go, and I can actually get back to where I started. That’s important,” Hogan said.
Equipped with walking shoes and water bottles, the five members of the Stride Walkers, including Weldon, walk three miles, winding through the narrow side streets surrounding South Dean Road.
Their walks usually last approximately one hour said Weldon, who added that “Once you start walking and talking, the hour is up before you know it, and you’re right back where you started.”
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t love it,” said Debbie Flick, one of the group’s first members.
Although staying active is important, all agreed that the social aspect of walking with a group is what keeps them coming back each time.
“We’ve formed a nice core group of interesting people that like to get out and exercise and enjoy each other’s company,” Weldon said.
“Usually we get our talking and our visiting done during the walk,” Weldon added, “and sometimes we get together afterward, because you know, friendships have formed as we’ve gotten to know each other over the years.”
Having someone around to ensure safety is one of the things Flick enjoys most about the Stride Walkers.
Safety is another benefit of exercising in a group. “There is safety in numbers. There’s somebody there if you get too hot or you don’t feel well,” Weldon said. “You don’t ever have to go by yourself, and there’s always someone there to share the experience with.”
Exercising alone provides health benefits, but belonging to an exercising group offers members a chance to meet new people, make new friends and experience new places. Being with others not only removes the boredom of exercising alone, but it offers a sense of security as well.
“There are so many neat things in the Auburn area, and Alabama in general, just to get out and see,” Weldon said.
The group is always looking for active people of all ages, who enjoy exercise and want to stay healthy, to join. For more information, visit the Auburn Parks and Recreation website, which provides group schedules for the Auburn Stride Walkers and Auburn’s new hiking group, the Tiger Trekkers.