Walkers of the Mall unite!

For the past 14 years men, women and children aged from eight to 83 have discovered joys in Knox Shopping Centre that go far beyond window-shopping and spending money: they go Mall Walking twice a week.

This unique health and fitness activity now boasts more than 400 members and is still growing, with Mall Walkers walking for fun and fitness in the safe and weatherproof environment of the shopping centre.

Jean Horton, who has run the Mall Walking program for nine years, says that participants range from children to older residents wanting to keep up their fitness levels.
“Plenty of our Mall Walkers have had heart and hip operations and this provides a safe way for them to exercise,” Mrs Horton says. “They are under security surveillance and medical assistance is not far away if needed.”

There is also an important social aspect to Mall Walking according to Mrs Horton. Many walkers meet for coffee afterwards and Knox Shopping Centre provides free water and orange juice after each walk, as well as organising a regular movie screening for participants. Mall Walkers are also presented with an official Mall Walker T-shirt after walking 20kms with the group and receive discounts from many centre retailers. Many walkers have their own special tales to tell. Over a two-year period, June Nash lost more than 20 kilos by combining Mall Walking with healthy eating. A couple of years later she is still walking and now her husband Roger joins her twice a week since retiring.
“It’s such a safe environment and we are protected from the weather so you don’t have the excuse to say it’s too cold, too wet or too hot,” says June Nash. “It’s also a nice smooth surface with no bikes and no dogs to worry about.”

Knox Shopping Centre Mall Walkers meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 7.30am to 10am. To join, contact customer service at the centre, 9801 5966.