New 12-week programme aims to help people get into walking oputdoors for fitness.
Outdoors and adventure travel clothing brand Rohan has announced a new, free walking fitness programme in conjunction with personal trainer to the stars, Matt Roberts.
The programme developed from some Rohan consumer research that showed that although 62% of adults would like to walk outside as part of an exercise regime more often, around 14% 'don't know how to get started', while a further 16% are worried that they're 'not fit enough'.
As a result, Rohan have developed a 12-week free StrideFit programme with Matt Roberts who has trained the likes of Naomi Campbell, Tom Ford, Amanda Holden and Mel C.
It's not just aimed at novices though, experienced walkers could also benefit from what Rohan describes as 'aprogramme of exercises to increase strength and mobility incorporated into guided local walking trips' – again, research is partly behind this as it shows that 24% of people would walk more for exercise if they had information about local footpaths.
At the initial five programme launch events, participants will 'have their walking ‘type’ assessed with an RSscan footscan®' which, along with information on their intended type of walking, will help advisers to recommend appropriate footwear.
There will also be physio tests and the chance to quiz Matt and his team on specifics like injury avoidance, training tips and what Naomi Campbell is really like...
After that it's into the graduated 12-week programme, which aims to help participants progress from basic mobility and strength work, through to full-on training.
Matt Roberts says: “We have a growing exercise problem in the UK - our research is consistent with this view, with a quarter of all adults (23%) walking outside for exercise less than once a month. So we’ve developed Rohan StrideFit to help show people that walking for exercise can be done by and can benefit everyone. StrideFit is not just for walkers, it’s open to anyone, with any level of fitness - so we hope it provides a good incentive to get involved.”
Initially there are four pilot launches -
• Winchester, Hampshire – 11 September 2011
• Kensington, London – 17 September 2011
• Hay-on-Wye, Wales – 18 September 2011
• Beverley, North Humberside – 24September 2011
If they prove successful, StrideFit will roll out to 20 more Rohan stores in 2012. You can find more about the programme at rohantime.com/20848/walkfit-with-rohan.
