Frequently Asked Questions

Nordic Walking

What is Nordic Walking?

Nordic Walking is a system of walking based on Cross Country Skiing. Poles are used in a similar way to propel the body forward. This means that Nordic Walking uses more upper body muscles than regular walking - when practiced correctly to its full extent it can employ up to 90% of skeletal muscles. It also promotes the correct cross patterning of upper/lower body movement, something that is often found lacking in individual walking patterns.

Is Nordic Walking suitable for me?

The only requirement to be able to Nordic Walk is to be able to stand and walk. Using poles actually makes walking easier as the poles relieve some of the load on our legs, contribute to improved posture, enhance our connection with the ground, and provide easier forward propulsion. it is, of course, important to walk at an appropriate pace for your ability. This is why I offer different intensities of walk: Easy, Moderate and Challenging. If required, I can work one-to-one with an individual to target their specific requirements, such as a client who suffers from Parkinson's Disease for example.

What does a typical training session consist of?

A beginner's training session starts with an introduction to Nordic Walking poles and an explanation about how they differ from Trekking poles. You will be issued with a pair of high quality Leki adjustable poles for the duration of any training sessions, and shown how to set them to the correct length for you.

Next we will run through some simple warm-up exercises, before starting to learn how to use the poles correctly. During a 90 minute introduction we would normally expect to have understood the basic pattern of movement and to have begun to experience the feeling of the propulsion that the poles can provide.

We will end the session with some stretches and a debrief.

What does a typical group walk consist of?

If you have booked to hire some poles for the session you will be issued with a pair of Leki adjustable poles that you will be able to use for the duration of the walk.

Next we will run through some warm-up exercises and, depending on the needs of the group members, we may also run through some exercises to remind us how to use the poles correctly.

An Easy Walk will usually last approximately one hour in total, be at a gentle pace with opportunities to stop and enjoy the surroundings, and be on mostly level ground with only gentle gradients.

A Medium Walk will typically last 1.5 to 2 hours, be at a generally quicker pace (although still relatively gentle), and involve some degree of more challenging terrain, including moderate ascents and descent. We may also encounter more uneven ground; for example we may need to negotiate muddy conditions, or step over a fallen tree.

A Challenging Walk will typically be anything upwards of 1.5 hours. It will involve a more 'fitness' focused pace and/or include greater gradients.

We will end each walk with some stretches and a debrief before optionally heading for tea/coffee if the location permits.