So here’s your invitation to a gym class with a difference - in the great outdoors of the magnificent New England.

And you don’t have to be fit to enrol - in fact, if you can walk you can do it.

Starting from Saturday, the Armidale Athletic Club is hosting a series of walks (if you are really keen you can jog or run) at locations on the outskirts of town.

These gatherings are a great way to step your way to better health and at the same time take in some of the iconic locations such as the Blue Hole, Pine Forest and Dumaresq Dam.

And there’s also the social aspect - you’ll soon make new friends as you walk together around the course and stay for a cuppa afterward.

So whether you’re eight or 80, you’ll find these walks, jogs or runs at a different location each week of tremendous benefit.

The series of events is sponsored by local company Mindbiz.

The walks and runs are held every Saturday for nine weeks, starting at 2pm (try to get there 20 minutes beforehand so you will have time to chat with others and here details about the course). Entry is by a $2 coin donation per run and this is used towards afternoon tea and an end-of-season function.

Cut this page out and stick it on your fridge as the course details are:

July 26: Kelly’s Plains, meet at corner of Burns and Kelly’s Plains Rd. 6km, out and back gravel road.

August 2: Lynches Rd/Kelly’s Plains, meet at Kelly’s Plains bike path, near Baldwyn St. (Toilet available nearby) 2.9 or 5km course on bike path and gravel road.

August 9: ‘Newholme’ (UNE property), meet at entry gate to Newholme, left hand side of New England Highway, approximately five kilometres north of town. 6km out and back, gravel road.

August 16: Imbota Nature Reserve (the old Eastwood State Forest), meet at entry gate off Castledoyle Rd. 6km out and back, gravel road.

August 23: Gara Gorge, meet at Blue Hole’s main (second) picnic area. (Toilet available nearby). 5.5km, Threlfall walking trail.

August 30: ‘Kirby’ (UNE property), follow Boorolong Rd out of town, right into Weirs Rd, left across Pipe Clay Creek, then 3km on, past ‘Private Rd’ sign. 7km out and back gravel road.

September 6: Pine Forest, meet at picnic area, entry off Rockvale Rd. (Toilet available nearby). 3 and 3.5km loops of walking trail and gravel road.

September 13: Rockvale Rd cycle path, meet at Pine Forest Picnic area, entry off Rockvale Road. (Toilet available). 7.2km outback, gravel road and bitumen bike path, 3km trail loop.

September 20: Dumaresq Dam, meet at picnic area, end-of-season picnic and presentation. (Toilet available). 5.6km, two loops of 2.8km walking trail.

* Each Saturday there will also be a shorter course offered. Light afternoon tea afterwards. No dogs please. Inquiries to Robert Herd 6770-1808 (w), or visit club website www.armidaleathletics.org.au for more information, results and photos.

Exercise road safety at all times, use footpaths or stay on side of road, give way to motorists and wear bright clothing.

Wear appropriate shoes. Watch your step, many of the course are on uneven gravel roads and trails. You are not covered by insurance.

Accept responsibility for your safety. You participate at your own risk.