Walk With Ease: About the Program

The Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease Program is a community-based physical activity and self-management education program. While walking is the central activity, Walk With Ease is a multi-component program that also includes health education, stretching and strengthening exercises, and motivational strategies. The program includes a guidebook and a walking schedule to get you safely moving toward better health. 

Studies by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging of the University of North Carolina show that Walk With Ease is proven to: 

• Reduce the pain and discomfort of arthritis 

• Increase balance, strength and walking pace 

• Build confidence in your ability to be physically active 

• Improve overall health 

The Walk With Ease program is offered as a self-guided course or in a community setting. Choose the format that best suits you. 

Developed by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging of the University of North Carolina, the Walk With Ease program can be experienced on your own or with a group. The online tools you’ll find here are resources that accompany the program and are not meant to be completed alone. To complete the program on your own, purchase the popular Walk With Ease guidebook or to participate in a group, locate a Walk With Ease program in your local community. 

Comprehensive studies demonstrate that Walk With Ease reduces pain, increases balance and strength and improves your overall health. The program will help motivate you to get in great shape and allow you to walk safely and comfortably.  

Complete the program on your own by purchasing the guidebook in the Arthritis Foundation Online Store for only $11.95 (Spanish-language version also available.) It includes all the tools you need to: 

• Develop a walking plan that will meet your needs 
• Stay motivated 
• Manage your pain 
• Learn to exercise safely 

WWE group sessions meet three times per week for 6 weeks.  Trained group exercise leaders begin each session with a pre-walk discussion covering a specified topic related to exercise and arthritis, followed by a 10- to 40-minute walk that includes a warm-up and a cool-down. 

To find a class near you, call 1 (800) 283-7800 You can also learn more about becoming a certified leader. 

A group of individuals begin and end the six-week program at the same time. A designated leader coordinates communication to ensure participants are organized and motivated to complete program.
 

• Contact Arthritis Foundation Helpline - 1-800-283-7800 or [email protected]
• Visit Evidence-Based Program Leadership Council program map 
• Register with the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance Walk With Ease portal