Nordic walking
on Springbrook mountain
Improve balance. Improve posture. Build a strong core. Use 2x muscles of normal walking. Better exercise for heart and lungs. Great fun.
Nordic Walking Training: 1x 2.5h class, equipment provided, $150 per person. (Discount available for Springbrook residents)
Group class requirements: ability to walk 200m unassisted, comfortable shoes, outdoor clothing to suit the weather. Private tuition available on request.
Upcoming Nordic Walking Training dates:
Training will be available on request.
Pay for one training class and attend future classes for free! Come back to brush up on your skills anytime.
Call Kal 0416894683 to book.
“You forgot your ski’s!” “There’s no snow!” These are some of the many things that have been shouted at me when I’m out walking with my poles, but I couldn’t care less. I know something they don’t – my walking poles are amazing and I don’t care at all that it looks a bit odd.
Nordic Walking was originally created as a way for Scandinavian cross-country skiers to keep in shape during the warmer months. It quickly gained popularity by turning walking into a full body workout and has proven its worth for rehabilitation purposes.
In a nutshell, it’s walking on all fours with great posture. Normal walking engages up to 45% of your muscles and it can be hard to get your heart rate up to the moderate-high intensity range. Nordic Walking engages up to 90% of your muscles, providing a much more intense workout, if intense is what you’re after. Because you’re using your own body weight as resistance, the level of intensity is up to you.
If you are not feeling fit already, that’s fine, just take it easy. Walking with the poles helps with balance, mobility and taking some of the load off bad backs/hips/knees/ankles. When I started Nordic Walking my back had been giving me grief for months and I could barely walk a flight of stairs. Three months later I was walking 6km carrying my toddler in the backpack. Fitness comes back quickly – just start gentle and work your way up to it. I’ve worked with people after accidents/surgeries, with Parkinsons, MS and other health conditions that normally make exercise difficult. Age is no bother either, my son started learning at 2 years old and the oldest Nordic Walker I’ve met was in their late 90’s.
Core engagement is another bonus of walking with poles. I’ve had a bad back for nearly 20 years and it’s at its best when I have a strong core. Nordic Walking engages your core muscles with every step, similar to swimming or kayaking. Posture also improves gradually as you’re using the muscles that hold your spine upright. Much of the shrinking we experience as we age is due to poor posture.
Can you just grab some poles and get started? Yes, and no. While the research says that any walking with poles is better than without, there are some things that offer a huge advantage. Because we’re talking about a repetitive exercise, learning the right technique will help you get more benefit and reduce your risk of a RSI (repetitive stress injury) down the track. The right gear also makes a world of difference. You could try to run a marathon wearing a pair of thongs, but running shoes would be far better. Likewise, hiking poles while similar, are no comparison for the purpose built Nordic Walking poles. The best option is to learn the technique in a group class with the right gear.
The biggest benefit of all, you get to improve your health while seeing more of this magnificent country we are lucky enough to call home.
Group class requirements: ability to walk 200m unassisted, comfortable shoes, outdoor clothing to suit the weather.
If you cant currently walk 200m unassisted, call to discuss private tuition.
If you have any questions, feel free to give me a buzz on 0416 894 683 at any reasonable hour.
Kal Ientile. Registered Acupuncturist & Nordic Walking Instructor.