The Walk Club brings dance music and motion together across iconic Seattle locations

Fitness and dance music have always gone together. Movements of all types find their way into dance music culture, from shuffling to gloving and more recently mini-marathons like Diplo’s Run Club. But what if you love the culture and want a chiller vibe? Seattle’s newest addition, The Walk Club, provides a space for community and wellness through a 5k walk that begins and ends with DJ sets and more.

The Walk Club’s founder, Chris Charma, is a mainstay of the Seattle music scene, bringing together all the right pieces to create a community that has music running through its veins. “Each Walk builds on the same mission,” says Chris, “bringing movement, music, and community together in new ways.”

The Walk Club Experience

Every Walk Club event begins with a social hour. Walkers arrive, stretch, grab smoothies from local staples like Fit Bar Cafe, and meet new faces. “I usually start playing music to set the tone right away, to create that ‘we’re about to do something good for ourselves’ feeling,” says Chris. Each walk is a 5k (just over 3 miles) through some of Seattle’s most scenic areas like Alki Beach or the downtown waterfront.

Walks end at a predetermined destination, such as Populus Hotel in the stadium district, where the afterparty begins. There are food vendors, brand activations, and opportunities for people to hang out, dance, or relax. The signature piece of the puzzle is a musical performance called The Aftermile Sessions. Here local DJs and producers can showcase their talents and entertain the walkers while they dish and dine.

“Partners are excited because The Walk Club gives them a real local platform to connect with real local people.”

“The connection between walkers is what really sets TWC apart. You’ll see people chatting mid-walk, meeting new friends, and building genuine relationships. It’s very organic,” says Chris. “A lot of regulars have come back and started bringing new friends, so the community is growing in a really authentic way.”

That growth is real. The first Walk brought in just 30 people, but the next grew to 80, then 120, and the most recent Walk hit 200 attendees. Walk 005 is projected to draw over 300 walkers. The burgeoning community is attracting major sponsors like Brooks Running, Red Bull, Lululemon, and Jo Malone London. Local brands like Fit Bar, Space B.A.R. Wellness, and Konsoom are getting in on the action too.

“Partnerships started with brands I personally love and believe in. From there, I began asking our community who they’d like to see us partner with, which keeps things authentic and community-led,” says Chris. “The response has been amazing. Partners are excited because The Walk Club gives them a real local platform to connect with real local people.”

“Authenticity and individuality always stand out.”

The Walk Club Story

The Walk Club, like many good ideas, came from the most humble of personal crossroads. “I was in a space where I was reflecting on what was next for me, both in life and in my DJ career,” says Chris. “I knew I wanted to create something meaningful that could grow beyond me. A friend suggested [something] that brings people together through my background in DJing, combining music, movement, and connection. I didn’t know it would become The Walk Club, but once it started, it all clicked.”

Credit: Seattle Sounders FC/Chris Charma

By this point, Chris had firmly established himself as a Seattle music scene staple, performing as the Seattle Sounders FC and Mariners gameday DJ for over a decade. He has parlayed this success into a litany of musical partnerships, including Music Coordinator at Washington-based Vie Athletics, opening spots for Kehlani and Blxst, and a host of corporate music partnerships.

“At its core, The Walk Club isn’t just about walking, it’s about connection,” says Chris. “It’s about taking that first step toward community, health, and creativity, no matter where you are in life. We’re creating something that reminds people that movement can look like joy, that wellness can feel like music, and that community can start with something as simple as showing up.”

“I wanted to create a platform where other DJs could share their sound and vibe.”

The Walk Club Mission

The Walk Club has set itself up as an umbrella for other brands and artists to thrive underneath. Walks are structured to begin and end at community businesses and include sponsorships and live experiences from local brands like Space B.A.R. Critically, The Walk Club also hosts DJ sessions at the end of each Walk, called The Aftermile Sessions. These sessions feature local talent in front of a willing and charged up audience.

“The Aftermile Sessions were my way of tying my DJ background into The Walk Club,” says Chris. “When a DJ creates a wellness community, there’s naturally going to be some DJ culture in it, but I didn’t want it to just be about me. I wanted to create a platform where other DJs could share their sound and vibe.”

To date, The Aftermile Sessions have given the spotlight to PNW DJs Yohiness and Cienna.

Asked about what other up-and-coming local artists can do to make it onto an Aftermile performance, Chris emphasizes the fundamentals. “For DJs who want to be part of it, I’d say: reach out, keep doing dope things in the scene, and most importantly, be yourself. Authenticity and individuality always stand out.”

“The goal is always to create moments that promote clarity, wellness, and joy.”

What’s Next for The Walk Club

Speaking of standing out, The Walk Club is pursuing a higher profile with every Walk. “I see The Walk Club evolving into a global lifestyle brand,” says Chris. “It could exist in cities around the world, connecting people through walks, music, and storytelling. I see it showing up at events like Fashion Week, Super Bowl weekend, or Coachella, always repping that same mission of movement, music, and community.”

The Walk Club brand is certainly growing in the Seattle area, closing out 2025 with more exciting events and partnerships. Walks 006 and 007 are already in preproduction, a wellness panel discussion is planned at Lululemon, and a pop-up party is in the works with House Blend, a house music collective that performs inside a local coffee shop.

“We’ve also started dropping limited-edition TWC merch at each walk,” says Chris. “Small batches that sell out quickly. It’s been cool to see people wear The Walk Club gear around the city. It’s helping turn the brand into a lifestyle movement.”

Credit: The Walk Club

So the pitch is pretty simple. If you like to move, you’re looking for a community, and music is a part of everything you do, The Walk Club is going to be for you. The intersection of movement and music is fundamental to the dance music scene, and added perks like cold plunges and exclusive brand activations mean there’s always something new at The Walk Club.

“I want it to feel like something people genuinely look forward to, where they know the vibe is right and the people are welcoming,” says Chris. “Music, especially electronic, is a big part of that. It sets the tone. Whether it’s high-energy house or more ambient chill sounds, the goal is always to create moments that promote clarity, wellness, and joy.”

The next Walk Club event is happening on October 26th, with more Walks coming in November and December! You can learn more and RSVP at The Walk Club website.

Don’t forget to follow The Walk Club on Instagram!