Best foot forward |
 With just over 1400 days to go until London 2012 it’s never too late to get fit. The Everyday Activity Project and regional shopping destination, thecentre:mk, have joined forces to put on an ‘Everyday Activity Health Walk’ to encourage people back into sport. The Central Milton Keynes health walks are being run around thecentre:mk at 7:30am every Monday and aim to give people the opportunity to try some low impact exercise without braving the British weather. The ‘Everyday Activity Health Walk’ is part of the national ‘Walking the Way to Health Initiative’. Running the Central Milton Keynes health walk in thecentre:mk provides participants with a safe, clean environment which is convenient for Central Milton Keynes and it has no risk of bad weather. The walks are led by qualified Walk Leaders and are designed to help improve the health of those taking part, regardless of their age and current fitness level and will last 30 - 45 minutes. “The new series of walks are a great opportunity to get some low impact exercise,” commented Kirsty Heath, Everyday Activity Coordinator. “We currently run a number of schemes across Milton Keynes. However, the use of thecentre:mk means that the walks can take place without being exposed to the weather and they are timed so that local residents, including the local business community, can take part in the walks before work.” Co-ordinated exercise walks in shopping centres started life in America and they are now so popular that in the US and Canada some manufacturers market special "mall-walker" shoes "to give extra traction for smoother, slicker mall floors". Robert Goodman, Centre Director at thecentre:mk commented on the scheme: “thecentre:mk is delighted to be involved in such a scheme. With the recent success of the Team GB at the Olympics we should all feel inspired to do more exercise. According to the Met Office, this summer has been the 7th wettest summer on record for the UK, therefore the fact thecentre:mk is able to offer one mile of covered walk ways is ideal for a project like this. Also, the building is perfectly suited to attract people from the local community and workers in Central Milton Keynes." For those interested the walks will start outside Marks and Spencer, at the entrance next to the Levi’s store (door 2) at 7:30 am every Monday until the 6th of October. For more information and to register your interest contact Kirsty Heath on 01908 254456 or email kirsty.heath@milton-keynes.gov.uk |