Nordic walking
Nordic Walking is an enhancement of ordinary walking – it makes something we can all do…. twice as effective!
Nordic Walking uses poles to in order to add two major benefits to walking
- The use of poles means the upper body muscles are used as well as the legs
- The poles help to propel the walker along – this means he/she works harder than usual yet the support given by the poles makes it feel easier!
Nordic Walking is a specific fitness technique and is not to be confused with trekking, hill walking or trail running as the poles are not planted in front of the walker/runner but in a specific way that increases the use of the upper body. It can be done by anybody, anywhere and does not require expensive equipment or clothing.
Benefits of Nordic Walking
- Tones the upper and lower body at the same time
- Uses 90% of the skeletal muscles
- Burns up to 46% more calories than ordinary walking
- Reduces the pressure on knees and joints
- Great for the Heart and Lungs
- Ideal for neck, shoulder and back problems
- Poles propel the walker along, making it easier to move faster than normal without feeling the effort.
- is one of the most effective cross training techniques for athletes and sports people who require ultimate cardiovascular and endurance conditioning.
Courtesy of Nordic Walking UK
What do you need?
- A good pair of walking shoes
- Nordic Walking poles, which can be rented per session or bought at local sports shops. We recommend Leki poles
- Comfortable exercise clothes, and don’t forget to bring along a rain-coat!
- A water bottle
The classes
Our Nordic Walking classes will be starting again on 29nd March 2010. If you would like to know more then mail info@nordicbalance.co.uk and we’ll give you some more details. The classes will run on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30pm for 1 hour in Green Park, and are suitable for beginners to intermediate.
Depending on the day, we’ll be running classes on Hyde Park, Green Park and St James Park. We are looking to expand this to include some of London’s other fine parks including Regents Park, Battersea Park and Clapham Common. For a detailed list of times and places, contact us today.
All classes will need to be pre-booked, as space is very limited. To book, email info@nordicbalance.co.uk at least 24 hours in advance.
Meet your Nordic Walking instructor
