It’s rare to get out and exercise—and at the same time learn why you should be doing it more often. This Saturday kicks off “Walk with a Doc,” a monthly program in 25 states that aims to get people moving and talking about their health. (National Jewish Health cardiologist Andrew Freeman, PhD, started and heads up Denver’s chapter.) By now, you probably know that 30 minutes of exercise comes with benefits like improved blood pressure and blood sugar, and reduces your risk for osteoporosis, coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancer. But there’s more!

Each month, a different doc from Freeman’s team takes the lead on the walk through one of the city’s parks and discusses topics like improving your balance, pulmonary hypertension, and allergic rhinitis. Come with questions, leave with calories burned.

This Saturday’s walk begins at 8 a.m. at DeKoevend Park right outside of the Goodson Recreation Center. You’ll warm up with the Tai Chi Project and enjoy healthy refreshments, not to mention giveaways and free blood pressure screenings.

If you need help (and a little peer pressure) to maintain your motivation to exercise, join the Wednesday Wellness Walk each week at 6 p.m. in DeKoevend Park in Centennial. The group began as a way to compliment the monthly Saturday strolls and meet other people who want to live life healthfully.

Image via Shutterstock