Gudrun Collins is a qualified International Nordic Walking Association Instructor, trained by Nordic Walking UK
in London.

"Nordic walking is one of the fastest growing recreational fitness sports in the world"

- International Nordic Walking Association

 

Contact Gudrun by e-mail (see contacts) for course dates/workshops.
                                                   

             Equipment needed:  2 x Nordic Walking Poles  

Nordic Walking poles will have to be measure up for each person individually, as using incorrect length may add stress to the walker's knees, hips and/or back.

Nordic Walking poles come in both one-piece, non-adjustable shaft versions and telescoping two-piece or three-piece twist-locking adjustable length versions.

Nordic walking poles have grips with special Nordic Walking straps - a kind of fingerless glove, allowing power transmission through the strap and eliminate the need to tightly grasp the pole grips.

Unlike trekking poles, Nordic Walking poles come with removable rubber tips for use on hard surfaces and hardened metal tips for trails, the beach, snow and ice. Most poles are made from lightweight aluminium, carbon fiber or composite materials.

 

          

                                       

What is Nordic Walking?

Nordic walking is defined as fitness walking with specially designed poles, looking like ski poles.

•    With the support of the poles, the upper body muscels are 
     used as well as the legs.
•    Nordic Walking can be done by anybody, anywhere where  
     you can normally walk without using poles and throughout 
     the seasons of the year.
•    It is highly recommended to learn Nordic Walking correctly if 
     you want to get the most out of the activity by joining courses
     that are taught by NWUK qualified Instructors.

 
Benefits

Nordic Walking is quite unique in that it provides benefits for everybody from those with medical problems to the super fit.

Whatever age, fitness level or goal, - Nordic Walking is suitable, effective and enjoyable.

Compared to regular walking, Nordic walking involves applying force to the poles with each stride. Nordic walkers use more of their entire body (with greater intensity) and receive fitness building stimulation not as present in normal walking for the chest, lats, triceps, biceps, shoulder, abdominals, spinal and other core muscles. This extra muscle involvement leads to enhancements over ordinary walking at equal paces such as:

• increased overall strength and endurance in the core muscles and the entire upper body
• significant increases in heart rate at a given pace
• great for the Lungs too
• greater ease in climbing hills
• burning up to 46% more calories than in plain walking* 
  improved balance and stability with use of the poles
• significant un-weighting of hip, knee and ankle joints
• effective weight bearing exercise - creates positive total body bone density-preserving stress

 
* Reference: Cooper Institute, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sports, 2002

©2009 GeeCol Wellness Ltd.