The Longest Journey Begins with the First Step …

By Edree Downing

Have you heard enough about all the wonderful benefits of exercise? Are you ready to get out there and actually do it? You know all the stats – if we’d just do a couple of hours each week, we’d all live long enough to be a burden to our children. But more importantly, wouldn’t you like to be part of a group that is aware of the lasting and lifelong benefits of physical fitness and that is also having lots of fun?

There are many fitness organizations in the area, which just might make this exercise business a whole lot more enjoyable than you expected. If it’s not listed below, try www.MeetUp.com for even more, and if a particular sport or location or time doesn’t work on your schedule, MeetUp.com will help you to start your own group.

Below is a partial list of groups that would love to have you join them for fun and adventure. You’ll likely discover new areas, create new friendships and even get started on that elusive fitness program you’ve been thinking about.

There’s also a website if you’re interested in obtaining more information on healthful exercise for the mature body: www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/olderadults.html

So go ahead, get started. There isn’t a better time of year to get out there and take that first step. 

BIKING

Annapolis Biking Club  www.annapolisbicycleclub.org

Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts, Inc. www.more-mtb.org/ 

HIKING

Mountain Club of Maryland http://mcomd.org

Appalachian Mountain Club www.amc-dc.org 

KAYAKING/ROWING

Chesapeake Paddlers Association www.cpakayaker.com/

Annapolis Irish Rowing Club www.annapolisirishrowers.org/ 

RUNNING

Annapolis Striders  http://annapolisstriders.org 

TENNIS

Annapolis Area Tennis School   www.aatstennis.org/

Anne Arundel County Tennis Association http://www.aacta.com 

WALKING

Annapolis Amblers Walking Club www.annapolisamblerswalk.com 

OTHER

Maryland Volkssport Association (walking, biking, swimming) www.mdvolks.org/

Mid-Maryland Triathlon Club  (triathlon) www.midmdtriclub.org/

Senior Olympics (all sports) www.nsga.com

Trail Riders of Today (horseback riding) http://trot-md.org

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