Gymea Afternoon Pacers is a sports club located in Sydney, Australia. As a walking group, they aim to promote physical activity, social connexions, and a healthier heart. The group meets every Thursday at 4:00 pm for a duration of 45–60 minutes. Currently, there are 25 members in the group.
The pace of the walks is slow, making it suitable for individuals of all fitness levels. The focus is on enjoying the outdoors and the benefits of walking, rather than speed or intensity. The meeting point for the walks is at Gymea Community Aid, located at 39 Gymea Bay Rd, Gymea, 2227.
Unfortunately, the walks are not dog-friendly, and prams or wheelchairs may not be easily accommodated on the walks. However, the group welcomes individuals who are interested in joining their walking community and improving their health and wellbeing.
Gymea Afternoon Pacers is supported by the National Heart Foundation of Australia. The group acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land they walk on, paying homage to elders past, present, and future, as well as the ongoing connexion to culture, country, and community.
Walking regularly has numerous benefits for overall health, including reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes by 30 to 40 percent. Walking also helps manage weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of developing certain cancers, improves bone density and balance, and enhances coordination.
The group encourages healthcare professionals to refer their patients to their structured and supportive walking programme, which complements their care. Whether individuals prefer walking alone or in a group, Gymea Afternoon Pacers provides a motivational programme designed to help them meet national physical activity guidelines.
The success stories of the group's members further emphasise the positive impact of walking on overall mental and physical health. One member named Maria shares her journey of overcoming weight, diabetes, and blood pressure problems through walking. She started with 5,000 steps a day and gradually increased to 15,000 steps, successfully reversing her diabetic condition and resolving blood pressure issues.
Gymea Afternoon Pacers welcomes everyone to join their Facebook group, where they can connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and find support on their walking journey. By being a part of this walking community, individuals can experience the numerous benefits of walking and work towards a healthier heart.