I love my walking football! Here are some of my shared experiences of playing with my team, MK United – and the physical and mental health benefits it brings.
As a beauty therapist, I’ve always been passionate about helping people feel good, both inside and out. As life has gone on (and I’ve got older!), I’ve come to realise that the key to true wellness lies in a balance between mental and physical health. One of the most surprising and rewarding ways I’ve found to maintain this balance is through women’s walking football. Yes, football! More specifically, walking football with the wonderful ladies at MK United.
What is Walking Football?
If you’ve never heard of walking football, let me introduce you to this fun, inclusive sport. Walking football is a slower-paced version of traditional football, designed for people of all ages and fitness levels. The rules are simple: no running and little or no physical contact. It’s all about teamwork, strategy, and enjoying the game—without the pressure of sprinting up and down the pitch! It’s got all the benefits of cardio exercise, but none of the high-impact risks to the body of jogging, running and other activities that can be tough on the joints.
A Community of Support
I joined MK United Women’s Walking Football team not long after it was founded, about two years ago – and I didn’t quite know what to expect. What I found was a group of incredible women, all there for the love of the game and the desire to stay active. We play walking football outside in the fresh air, come sun, wind or rain. This too has many benefits and playing in the rain is, believe me, far more fun than you may think! Beyond just the physical benefits (which I’ll get to in a moment), the social aspect of walking football is invaluable.
We come together not only to play but to laugh, share stories, and support one another. Being part of a team gives you a sense of belonging, and knowing you have others cheering you on is a great motivator. The camaraderie we share has been uplifting for my mental health, providing an outlet for stress and a way to connect with like-minded women – and some fabulous friendships have grown from it as well!
Mental Health Boosts
We all have days when life feels a bit too much. Whether it’s the pressures of work, family, or just the daily grind, mental fatigue can take its toll. Walking football has been a brilliant way for me to switch off from life’s stresses. The game allows me to focus on something fun, clearing my mind of worries with a healthy distraction.
The endorphins released during any physical activity help combat feelings of anxiety and low mood. Even though walking football isn’t high-intensity, the movement in the open air still triggers those feel-good chemicals, which leaves me feeling energized and positive after each session.
Physical Health Benefits
One of the main reasons I started playing walking football was to stay active without overexerting myself. As we get older, keeping up with exercise routines can be challenging, but walking football makes it easy and enjoyable. It’s a full-body workout that improves my cardiovascular fitness, strengthens my muscles, and enhances balance and coordination. In a one hour session alone, I can travel at a decent pace and rack up a distance of 5-6km!
For me, it’s been a great way to stay fit without worrying about injury or feeling intimidated by the fast pace of traditional sports. The controlled pace of walking football allows me to work at my own speed while still getting a solid workout. Plus, it’s low-impact, which is ideal for anyone concerned about joint or muscle strain.
Join Us!
If you’re in the Milton Keynes area and looking for a new way to stay active, I can’t recommend women’s walking football enough. Being part of MK United Women’s Walking Football team has transformed my physical and mental wellbeing, and I know it can do the same for you.
We’ve had some fantastic wins as a team – and we also won an MK Inspiration Award in June 2024, with the MK Sports Inspiring Local Team award! We were all so proud to be recognised like this, and it’s all down to our great group and our brilliant leaders. We’re part of MK United FC, which offers safe and enjoyable football opportunities to boys, girls, men and women of many ages and abilities. Our group has something for everyone as you can opt to train once or twice per week, put your name forward to play in friendly matches, or venture out further and put yourself up for selection to play in the more competitive league fixtures.
Most of us weren’t given the opportunity to play football as girls, and it’s great to have the chance now. But it’s more than just football—it’s a supportive community, a fantastic way to stay healthy, and a brilliant way to have fun. Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness, meet new people, or simply try something new, walking football could be the perfect fit. Why not give it a go? We’d love to welcome you. Drop an email to wwf@mkunitedfc.co.uk to find out more.
Me and my kids! We all played for different teams within MK United for the last 2 seasons. I came home from my match, and both of them had got player of the match for their own teams that day!