Locals join walking club for group-led exercise

FROM IDS REPORTS

Local residents have taken notice of the Bloomington Walking Club in the last few months.

The group, which was founded last May through IU Health Bloomington Hospital Community Health, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation and the Indiana Running Company, was created in order to provide the opportunity for group-led walks in a safe and comfortable environment.

They organized their first walk May 20.

Carol Weiss-Kennedy, Director of Community Health for IU Health Bloomington Hospital, said members range in age from 18 to 60 and include IU faculty and students, as well as other area residents.

“It’s not so much a club as it is more of a group and an opportunity for people to walk,” Weiss-Kennedy said.

Unlike other clubs, participants aren’t required to pay membership dues and can choose the amount of activity they wish to have in the club.

Members meet on Mondays at the Indiana Running Company and on Thursdays at Areté Athletic and walk between two to four miles at their own discretion. They also use planned out paths that are isolated from heavy traffic and don’t cross any major intersections.

The program boasts 20 members and is continuing to grow each walk.

“We started out fairly small,” Weiss-Kennedy said. “Every walk there’s a different amount of people, but the number keeps rising.”

Those interested in joining can contact Weiss-Kennedy at 812-353-9371.

— Brett Frieman