Frequently Asked Questions
Lots and lots of questions and answers on this page, please scroll down.
What is nordic walking?
Who can do it?
I've heard that nordic walking is a sport. Why then do you refer to it as an easy comfortable way of walking?
Isn't nordic walking just walking with 2 sticks for old people?
It's just a gimic, isn't it?
How could it fit in with my lifestyle?
How much of a commitment is it?
I don't know anyone else to go with.
Does it mean I have to sign up for a course of lessons? Please scroll down for more faqs
I don't want to walk fast.
How much does it cost?
What do I wear?
I already have walking poles, can't I use them?
What's the difference between walking poles and nordic walking poles?
I already have my own poles and want to use them in a lesson.
Do I have to buy poles before I come to a lesson?
Where do you teach?
Do I have to buy poles from you?
Do you have to be very fit to nordic walk?
I don't want to use it across country, I just want to use it to help my stability and get about town or to help me recover after an operation.
How far do you walk in a lesson?
Where can you go nordic walking?
What about cameras and binoculars? What about a rucksack?
Do you go nordic walking even in bad weather?
I have a dog, does that mean I can't go nordic walking?
Why should I bother to pay to learn the nordic walking technique when I can walk anyway for free?
Have you forgotten your skis?
What is the nordic walking technique?
Please see the home page. Most people find when they learn the nordic walking technique from me, as I am a qualified nordic walking instructor, that it is a way to walk more comfortably and easily, and many people use it to get and keep fit. You can use the nordic walking technique anywhere you normally walk, and you can use it alongside anyone else walking with you, whether or not they are using any kind of poles; you don't have to join up with other nordic walkers.
Who can do it?
Almost anyone at any age. I have taught people in their 20s, people who I would guess are in their 30s and 40s, right up to ladies in their late 70s. ^ top of faq page
I've heard that nordic walking is a sport and also that it is a keep fit exercise. Why then do you refer to it as an easy comfortable way of walking?
I say that you may use the nordic walking technique in whatever way you like best.
Many people do use it as an intensive aerobic all-over body workout and as a complement to their exercise regime in the gym.
I personally like to use it as a very comfortable and invigorating way to walk across Exmoor. I find that I can cover the country and go up and downhill far far more easily than when I walk ordinarily without my poles. Almost as a side effect, I have become much fitter, my knees don't suffer so much going downhill, and I can walk far greater distances than before. I've also joined with other nordic walkers to support charity fun runs/walks.
Many of the local Exmoor people who have trained with me, come because they have enjoyed walking all their lives, and now they are becoming perhaps a little creaky so my teaching together with the nordic walking technique can make a real difference to their enjoyment of the countryside. I also have mums who now have some more time as their children are at school and who want to get a bit fitter without suffering too much..
I will show you the technique and depending on your interests, we will concentrate on the parts of the technique which are most useful to you, whether it is using the poles to loosen up your shoulders, or exercises to increase your aerobic fitness, or whether it is taking the weight away from your knees to go down hills in greater comfort.
Why a sport - well, I think that's the trendy image that the pole manufacturers wish to promote, and they are coupling nordic walking with nordic blading (using inline skates and rather like rollerskating with very long poles, great fun I should think,) and hill walking (using their hiking poles), with cross country skiing (using their skiing poles), and marketing (and inventing) exciting new outdoor exercises (using their poles). There's gold in them there hills... good luck to them.
People are nordic walking/nordic running marathons in the USA and in Central Europe, so I guess we will see more competitions in future. I just hope that these people will have been to a proper instructor first and learned to use the poles safely; the thought of all those legs and poles together in a race...
You, personally, You, can use it as you want.
Isn't nordic walking just walking with 2 sticks for old people?
You wouldn't say that if you'd seen me racing up a hill. Nordic walking can be done very energetically and I can show you how to nordic run. There is an advanced level of the technique specifically designed for athletes. (I can show you this, but I don't coach athletes). And also have a look at the answer just above which mentions the "new nordic fitness sports".
It's just a gimic, isn't it?
All I can say is that it works for me - see my personal experience - and if you would like me to, I could refer you to many people to whom I have taught the nordic walking technique, who would be only to pleased to tell you what they think of it and me, and why they have bought nordic walking poles and use the nordic walking technique around here. It's not until you have had a lesson from an experienced instructor (me) and tried it for yourself, that you realise what a difference the technique and the poles might make to your walking.
How could it fit in with my lifestle?
It all depends on your priorities, you could consider the following:
- Mix your exercises to keep you motivated and fresh – e.g. play tennis on Sunday, 1/2 hour nordic walk to work and back on Tuesday, go to the gym Wednesday evening, nordic walk for an hour with friends early Friday evening, go swimming with the family on Saturday morning.
- Nordic walk each time you walk the dog. (see the Dog FAQ below)
- Nordic walk whilst supper is cooking.
- Nordic stroll after supper (only gentle walking after a meal).
- Nordic walk to work twice a week - it will wake you up without necessarily getting you all sweaty
- Nordic stroll after Sunday lunch
^ top of faq page
How much of a commitment is it?
None. Once I have taught you the nordic walking technique, (and you may learn enough for your purposes in a morning's introduction followed at a later date by a one hour's refresher session to ensure you are getting the best out of your poles,) all you need is your poles and off you go.
You don’t even need to buy poles. You may use my poles if you attend my guided walks, and if you are local and it is practical, you may sometimes hire poles from me.
Once you have mastered the technique, you can use it anywhere at any time whenever you choose, with other nordic walkers, and also in company with anyone else who is just walking with hiking poles or without any poles.
I don't know anyone else to go with.
You are very welcome to come and learn the technique from me on your own. Once you have learned it, you don't have to join other nordic walkers to go nordic walking, you can just use the technique whenever you would normally go out walking, whether on your own, or for example, with friends and the family on a Sunday afternoon, even if they are not using the nordic walking technique. But bring them along to a lesson too, because it is particularly good fun to go nordic walking with other nordic walkers as you can then get up a lovely bouncy nordic walking rhythm and together enjoy a lengthened stride eating up the miles.
Does it mean I have to sign up for a course of lessons?
No, the introductory lesson will give you the basics of the technique and I follow it up with a refreshers session, once you have practised a bit. So that's only 2 meetings totalling four hours - please refer to the introductory page for more details
I don’t want to walk fast.
You do not have to nordic walk fast. You can use your poles at a gentle pace and still derive great benefits from them. You will probably learn the technique much faster if you do not try to tear off at a great rate. As with all forms of exercise, it is advisable to consult your doctor before undertaking a new exercise regime.
How much does it cost?
Please go to the activities pages and click on the appropriate page - the bottom of the introduction page has the cost of instruction for the combination of the introduction and the refreshers lesson which together give you a safe basis for the technique. ^ top of faq page
What do I wear?
You don't need fancy sports gear, you can just wear ordinary lightweight non-bulky walking clothing, light walking boots with a good tread for safe walking in slippery conditions in the winter, and trainers or walking shoes for the summer. If you come for a lesson in the summer when I teach on the top of the open moor, please come in trousers, not shorts.
I already have walking poles, can’t I use them?
Nordic poles are not the same as ordinary walking poles used for trekking. Please see the Poles page. Some people will proudly tell you how they use their walking poles to nordic walk. They won’t be using the correct technique and getting all the health benefits, and they may be tiring themselves unnecessarily and risking wrist strain.
What’s the difference between walking poles and nordic walking poles?
Please see the Poles page.^ top of faq page
I already have my own poles and want to use them in a lesson.
Our first priority is your safety. I would like to have a look at your poles first before agreeing to teach you using them. There are a lot of so-called nordic walking poles on the market, some are good, others are not so good. I will not agree to teach you to nordic walk using ordinary walking poles. You are welcome to use my poles for any Fun and Fitness nordic walking devon activities.
Do I have to buy poles before I come to a lesson?
No, not at all. In fact I suggest that you don't buy any poles before you have learned the technique, because part of my service is to show you a range of different poles, and what to look for, thus possibly preventing you from making an expensive mistake. .^ top of faq page
Where do you teach?
I am based in Dulverton and teach mostly around this area. I also teach in the Minehead, Wellington, Taunton, Exeter, Barnstaple, and Tiverton areas if you are willing to contribute towards my travelling costs.
Do I have to buy poles from you?
No, I do have just a few poles available for sale as a service to some of my customers who may not have access to the internet, or who have made up their minds and want the convenience of buying there and then, but I have no shop, so instead I can offer you impartial advice about the cheapest suppliers of decent poles, of whom I am aware, and about the range available.
Do you have to be very fit to nordic walk?
^ top of faq page
You need to be sufficiently fit to walk gently and to swing your arms gently, in the first instance. Any lesson will be tailored to suit you. I will ask you about your fitness and your aims when you first make an appointment, and again on the day. As in all forms of exercise, it is advisable to consult your doctor before undertaking a new exercise regime. It is most important, for your own safety, that you inform me of any health concerns. For your own safety, I reserve the right to decline to teach you if I think that is appropriate.
If you have asthma, please be sure to remember to bring your inhaler. If you have suffered at any time from an allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock, please tell me and bring your epipen. Please do make sure you have not skipped any meals on the day you come for a lesson or walk, and bring a snack with you such as a cereal bar or a banana, and plenty of water to drink as you exercise.
I don't want to use it across country, I just want to use it to help my stability and get about town or to help me recover after an operation.
I can also show you how to use the poles to spread your weight and to walk with greater stability, at and around your home, if there is space, and with your doctor's consent. Many people take up nordic walking following a referral from their GP. The instruction would obviously be tailored to suit you.
How far do you walk during a lesson? ^ top of faq page
The length of walk during the first lesson will be tailored to suit you. Most people will walk about a mile to a mile and a half during the introductory lesson. This is only a relatively short distance because during the lesson I will demonstrate different elements of the technique as you progress from stage to stage and give you advice about the poles at the end, so you won't be walking for the whole time. Sometimes, if for example, you haven't walked much in recent months, we will limit the time spent on the actual exercise to about 20 minutes, if this is what suits you best. Please see the introductory lesson page.
Where can you go nordic walking?
You can nordic walk almost anywhere: streets, parks, fields, footpaths, the beach and trails. I have used the nordic walking technique across rough ground, bogs, to cross streams and heather on Exmoor. I have also used the technique up and down steps along a mountain path, along the levadas in Portugal and Madeira, along the beach in the Algarve and up and down the sand dunes at Braunton Burrows. The ideal place is a smooth footpath with ups and down so that you can get into a nice active rhythm. (Like Killerton). ^ top of faq page
nordic "climbing" up the steep path from the beach in the Algarve ^ top of faq page
Do you go nordic walking even in bad weather?
For introductory sessions, I always check the forecast, and liaise with you if it is threatening awful rain. An introduction to nordic walking is meant to be fun, not a trial of endurance, so if you absolutely hate the rain, then we can reschedule. I have a favourite wet weather venue and a favourite sunny weather venue. If we choose to go and rain is threatened, we usually nordic walk in the shelter of the woods alongside the river Barle where you don't notice the rain, instead of on the exposed top of the moor where there is little cover. On sunny days, we go on to the moor to see the beautiful views of Dunkery Beacon, Withypool Hill and Haddon Hill. ^ top of faq page
What about cameras and binoculars? What about a rucksack?
You can still use your cameras and binoculars when out on a nordic walk. You can also use a rucksack provided it does not
interfere with the swing of your arms too much. I personally prefer a waistband belt for my water bottle and first aid pack.
I have a dog, does that mean I can't go nordic walking?
^ top of faq page
If you can let your dog off the lead when you walk it, then with care, the risk of using your poles with the dog should be minimal. Naturally, you will have to make sure you don’t fall over the dog, and that you don’t hit the dog with the poles, especially when the dog is behind you.
You can’t safely throw sticks or a ball with your poles strapped on. I usually kick the ball for the dog. You could also try nordic walking across one field, unstrapping and throwing the ball for the dog in the next, and so on. Use your common sense. If you have the nordic walking poles which have a quick release wrist strap, then it's relatively quick and easy to unstrap, bend down to pick up and then throw the ball, click in the strap again and continue on your way.
Nordic walking is not designed to be used to walk dogs on a lead so it is for each individual dog owner to make their own mind up. Certainly using the poles and having a dog lead in the hand can be dangerous, as the dog can pull your arm and unbalance you.
Some people do decide to take a calculated risk and nordic walk with their dog on a waist lead. I sometimes put my two cocker spaniels on short waist leads when I nordic walk on the moor and there are lots of pheasants about. They have become resigned to it now, and we can walk along happily together; it isn't easy and it does cramp my nordic walking style, but for me a walk in the countryside is incomplete without a dog around.
This is a decision which you alone must take and for which you alone must be responsible, as only you know how well your dog behaves and how strong and safe you feel using the poles and whether you are concentrating on what you are doing. An untrained dog on a lead with nordic poles could pull you about and unbalance you. Even with a well behaved dog, you still need to be extra extra careful. You also need to be very very careful and to concentrate if you have the dog on a lead in one hand and your unstrapped poles in another. Please don’t hold the dog on a lead and the unstrapped poles both in the same hand, or you will almost certainly fall over your poles, I have and it really hurt. ^ top of faq page
Why should I bother to pay to learn the nordic walking technique when I can walk anyway for free?
It's a free country.. and this is all about adding more enjoyment to your walking, not enforced exercise or trials of endurance......
However you might think about the extra health benefits you could gain from using the correct nordic walking technique compared to ordinary walking......
And, if you want to look cool, powerful and efficient when using your poles, you could do with someone starting you off on the right track and watching your progress with an expert eye.
Why bother to invest in poles of any sort, and then not get the best out of them? .....
and consider the appearance of the untutored beginner spider...
- Do you really want to run the risk of looking like some kind of demented spider,
as you flail along waving your poles around, and tripping over them each in turn, before you spike some unfortunate being in the groin!? -
(if you too have seen someone like this, then I bet they haven't had any proper instruction,)
or,
-
do you want to appear
strong, comfortable, controlled and even graceful?
If you learn the correct nordic walking technique from a properly trained nordic walking instructor, you will learn safely, comfortably and easily. ^ top of faq page
Have you forgotten your skis?
If I had £1 for every time.... this recurring query represents the only disadvantage to nordic walking that I am aware of. You will quickly learn to concoct ever-more impressive answers to this one. A special Fun and Fitness prize awaits the inventor of the best witty unanswerable response.
End of FAQ page
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