Why join a walking club? A regular gym membership can cost hundreds of dollars a year. A walking club, like All Weather Walkers, in comparison has very little overhead. Walking with friends, family, and dogs is fun and promotes fitness. Enjoy good company and meaningful conversation on a long walk while releasing endorphins that give you an added feeling of well being.

You can Git Yerself Movin' at the G.Y.M. - The human body is designed for walking. Many people with hip and knee replacement testify to the benefits of walking as an excellent therapy. Walking has been shown to help with lower back pain, arthritis, bone loss, and weight problems. (Caution: Always consult your doctor before engaging in physical activity)

See Golden Yellow Masterpieces at the G.Y.M. - Have you seen the fantastic fall foliage yet? Take a stroll in the great outdoors and soak in the beauty. Go to the "G.Y.M." by stepping outside your front door! Invite your friends to join you! Join a walking club and enjoy Fun, Friendship and Fitness.

There is Great Year-round Motivation at the G.Y.M. - You can walk year round, in all sorts of weather, on all sorts of terrain. Feel the sun on your face, brace yourself in the wind, and dodge the raindrops as you trek along a forest path, meander along the edge of a meadow, or saunter down a sunlit street lined with manicured lawns. Am I waxing poetic? Yes I am. Taking a walk can be sheer poetry!

Grow Young Muscles at the G.Y.M. - Growth implies continuity. An organization can only grow if it continues to expand and attract a new generation. As clubs mature, they need a way to pass on the torch. How is this possible? Younger members benefit from walking just as much as older members. Lessons learned and habits formed at an early age will stand in good stead in years to come, and will hold at bay some of the ailments that afflict us as we grow older. Young muscles need exercise both physically and in leadership positions. Consider providing opportunities to mentor young people in positions of responsibility, running a club, laying trails, registering walkers, writing articles, and the myriad activities required to run a successful club. It's never too early to delegate responsibility. Invite your children and grandchildren to join this growing movement!

Gladden Your Mood at the G.Y.M. - Couch potatoes, binge Netflixers, and video game-aholics beware! Studies show that excessive time spent in front of computer and television screens can cause a deterioration in your mental health, leading to depression and feelings of isolation. The solution? Go for a walk with friends! Studies also show that the endorphins released by this physical activity can alter your brain chemistry. In other words, walking is an all-natural, mood-altering drug! So get off the couch, unplug your devices, open the door, and step outside! And then keep on stepping! Don't take my word for it. Google Exercise and Mood and a bonanza of articles will pop up to confirm it! Ask your doctor too! Here's an article from WebMD on Exercise and Depression to get you started.

Giddyup Your Mind at the G.Y.M. - Not only do endorphins improve your mood, they sharpen your mind. A sharper mind remembers more, engages better with the world, is more productive, and is more fun and friendly to be around! Walking new trails can be educational too. Some trails take you along historical routes with markers to commemorate significant events in history. Other trails criss-cross the countryside, exposing natural wonders, and the possibility to discover new flora and fauna. A sharper mind is more capable of absorbing all of this new knowledge. Imagine the thrill of retracing the footsteps of early pioneers and intrepid explorers and naturalists. What wonders await the new walker?

Give Your Mojo at the G.Y.M. to others. Walking gives you new superpowers! Share the word. Why keep the secret all to yourself? Invite your friends and coworkers to join the parade. Walking as a group multiplies your superpower! Where else can you carry on a fun conversation, make new friends, enjoy the scenery, add years to your life, improve your posture, and lose weight. Invite others in on the secret! Once a week, somewhere in the greater metropolitan area of Vancouver and Portland, an intrepid band of walkers meets to breathe in the fresh air, and regale each other with fascinating tales. Occasionally they will travel out of town as a group for a long weekend to blaze new trails, all the while, building up their superpowers.

What are you waiting for? Find out how to sign up for your $6 All Weather Walkers G.Y.M. membership today. Call Bob Hall, Membership Director, at 360-369-8296 about this amazing group of people. Did I mention it cost $6 per year? Crazy! For an additional $2 or $3 per walk, get a stamp in your passport. When your passport is full, turn it in for special awards and certificates! Do something good for yourself! Do something good for the health of your community! Do it today!