Striders Walking Club

Taking a walk can be simple—but walking together can be powerful. The Striders Walking Club brings people together to move, connect, and feel better, one step at a time. No matter your pace or experience, Striders is about showing up, enjoying the moment, and building healthy habits in a welcoming, supportive community.

Two Striders Walking Club members walking

Striders Walking Club

Taking a walk can be simple—but walking together can be powerful. The Striders Walking Club brings people together to move, connect, and feel better, one step at a time. No matter your pace or experience, Striders is about showing up, enjoying the moment, and building healthy habits in a welcoming, supportive community.

Two Striders Walking Club members walking

Brought to you by MVP Living Well Programs, the MVP Striders Walking Club is a free walking program open to everyone, so make a plan and bring a friend! As an MVP Strider, you will move through strength and balance exercises, walk at your own pace, and reap the many benefits of walking. Receive an MVP Striders Walking kit and connect with a great group of people. It’s free, fun fitness— open to all!

Our signature program has been offered in communities around the state, including:

  • Colonie Center, Albany
  • Crossgates Mall, Albany
  • Central Park, Schenectady
  • Bowdoin Park, Wappingers Falls
  • Poughkeepsie Galleria, Wappingers Falls
  • Malta Community Center, Malta
  • Kershaw Park, Canandaigua
  • Perinton Park, Fairport

Join the MVP Striders Walking Club! Visit the MVP Events Calendar find a Striders program near you!

Learn About Additional Striders Programs

  • Gain strength, coordination, and improved balance as you move through this circuit training class that incorporates weights, balance exercises, and low impact cardio as you walk at your own pace. More than just a workout, it’s a chance to connect with others in a friendly, supportive group. This program is designed for all fitness levels with modifications offered.

  • Expect a fun, full‑body outdoor workout as you move through seven timed stations on the MVP Fitness Court. This circuit‑style class is designed to improve strength, muscle endurance, agility, flexibility, and balance, and includes low‑impact cardio walking. Led by a certified fitness instructor, you’ll be guided throughout the entire class—from a structured warm-up, through instruction at each station, to a guided cool‑down—while enjoying opportunities to connect, socialize, and build community with others. Intensity Level: Low to Moderate.

  • A fun and functional workout for parents and their babies! This class blends gentle strength training and light cardio with playful bonding moments. Designed to support postnatal wellness* and build fitness in a supportive, baby-friendly environment, you'll tone muscles, boost energy, and enjoy snuggles along the way. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with other parents, share experiences, and build community. No experience needed, just bring your baby, baby carrier or wrap, water, and your smile!

    *All fitness levels and trimesters welcome. Postnatal participants must be 4+ weeks postpartum (six weeks for C sections). Best suited for babies ages two months to nine months. Led by a certified pre/postnatal fitness instructor.

  • Enjoy a full‑body outdoor workout with your baby! This welcoming class includes cardio, strength, core, and stretching, plus time to connect with other parents. Strollers and baby carriers welcome.

    All fitness levels and trimesters welcome. Postnatal participants must be 4+ weeks postpartum (six weeks for C‑sections). Open to all stroller‑aged babies and tots. Led by certified pre/postnatal fitness instructor. Intensity Level: Low to Moderate.

Walking Tips and Tools

  • SMART goals help transform ambitions into actionable steps.

    Specific: Define exactly what you want to achieve. The more precise, the better.
    Measurable: Identify how you’ll track progress and determine success.
    Achievable. Set realistic goals that you can reasonable complete.
    Relevant: Ensure your goal aligns with broader objectives and priorities.
    Time-bound: Establish a deadline to stay focused and motivated.

    Example

    S: Walk for planned weekly minutes.
    M: 150 minutes per week (5x30-minute walks).
    A: Fit walks into lunch breaks or after work.
    R: Support better heart and mental health
    T: Maintain for eight weeks.

    Put it together:

    For the next eight weeks, I will walk 150 minutes per week by completing five, 30-minute sessions.

    Watch the SMART Goal Guide, a 5-minute video that guides you through creating a SMART goal.

    Once you have your SMART Goal, you can put it into a Motivating Action Plan (MAP) to track your progress.

  • General Safety & Planning

    • Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll return. 
    • Carry ID and a cell phone with emergency contacts programmed. 
    • Check the weather. In extreme heat, cold, wind, or humidity, exercise indoors at a gym or shopping mall. 
    • Choose routes with benches or places to sit if you need to rest. 

    Awareness & Visibility

    • Stay alert at all times. Keep music volume low and be aware of your surroundings. 
    • Exercise in well lit, populated areas, especially at night. 
    • Be visible: wear bright or light-colored clothing during the day; use reflective gear, lights, or a flashlight at night. 

    Clothing, Footwear & Weather Protection

    • Wear sturdy, supportive shoes with nonskid soles to prevent slips and falls. 
    • Choose clothing that allows airflow and moisture evaporation. 
    • In hot weather, protect yourself with sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. 
    • In cold or wet weather, dress in loose layers and wear a waterproof coat or jacket, along with a hat, scarf, and gloves. 
    • Warm up your muscles before you begin. 

    Walking Surface & Fall Prevention

    • Walk on sidewalks or paths whenever possible. 
    • Watch for uneven ground, cracks, or other tripping hazards. 

    Road & Traffic Safety

    • Walk facing oncoming traffic and keep as far from the roadway as possible. 
    • When available, use guardrails as a barrier between you and traffic. 
    • Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, following pedestrian signals. 
    • Make eye contact with drivers before crossing. 
    • Look across all lanes and make sure each one is clear before proceeding. 

Don’t Forget to Stretch

Stretching before and after exercising, even walking, helps prepare your muscles and lower the risk of injury and soreness.

Warm‑Up Stretches

Gentle movements to prepare your body for walking.

Cool‑Down Stretches

Stretch and relax your muscles after walking.