A drizzly Sunday morning in London’s docklands finds a bright and breezy group of Nordic walkers gathered at Britannia Village Hall in West Silvertown. Talk is of a recent hike to Shooters Hill on the other side of the Thames and future trips organised by group leader and Nordic walking evangelist Tug Wilson.
This could be any walking club anywhere in the country, enjoying each other’s company and planning to get out into the great outdoors. The difference is that everyone is clutching two lightweight poles hooked to wrist straps and the destination is a city park next to the Thames Barrier.
“A few of the group have been referred by their GP,” says Wilson, as he adjusts everyone’s poles to suit their height. “Others have had cancer and a weekly walk is part of their recovery. And some have tackled the Gurkha trailwalker challenge and walked 100km non-stop.”
What all the members share is an appreciation that Nordic walking adds a unique dimension to an otherwise everyday exercise. Nordic Walking UK, the organisation that promotes the activity, uses a system of four “gears” to teach the techniques of planting the poles effectively and using the arms correctly.
Instead of bending from the elbows, movement comes from the shoulders – like preparing to shake someone’s hand. When it all comes together over a four-week beginners’ course, each stride is energised with 95% of the body’s muscles involved. Hence Nordic walking’s reputation for burning up to 40% more calories than normal walking.
“Imagine you’re squeezing a lemon beneath each foot,” says Wilson, as he gets the group thinking about rolling naturally from heel to toe. By planting the poles firmly and pushing them back – hence the need for wrist straps to maintain the right grip – your stride lengthens, but you also “walk tall”, lifting effortlessly out of your hips into a beautifully balanced posture.
It’s a technique session today and what sounds dull is instead a great demonstration of Nordic walking’s ability to challenge anyone, from cautious first-timer to fitness devotee. Wilson – 28 years in the Royal Navy and 12 as a paramedic – is in his element.
“I’ve worked with people from the age of five to 82,” he says, “and there’s something in Nordic walking for every single one of them.” Wilson organises the group into pairs and shows them how to use the poles for bodyweight resistance exercises. “Nordic walking can be a tough workout for an elite athlete, but it isn’t age dependent and is great for those who just want to get together for a gentle walk and a chinwag.”
Several of the group discovered Nordic walking when Wilson set up an introductory session at nearby Homerton hospital in Hackney, to encourage staff to become more active. Sadhna gave it a try and has been a regular now for four years. ‘I don’t want to go out running,” she says, “yet I’ve burned more than 600 calories this morning and toned up my whole body.”
Work colleague Johnette enjoyed Nordic walking so much that she inspired her husband Peter to get involved. “When we do the longer walks,” she says, “we plan our routes around nice cafes.” Johnette is qualified as a community instructor, which means she can help walkers learn the “gears” and assist with technique demonstrations.
Wilson, though, is relaxed about the finer points of pole plant and foot placement. “Adults don’t want rules, they want guidance,” he says. “It’s great when people improve week by week, but most important is to get everyone out there doing it and having fun.’
His ambition is for Nordic walkers to become a familiar sight on Britain’s streets. “Remember the strange looks that joggers used to get back in the 70s?
“We don’t have the snow and skiing culture of other countries where Nordic walking is popular – and someone walking to the shops with a pair of poles may look a bit odd at first. But once people get used to it they become curious.”
First steps
Nordic Walking UK has trained more than 3,500 instructors across the UK who deliver 5,000 walks and classes every week. Visit nordicwalking.co.uk to find an instructor. Membership of the organisation is optional, and costs a small annual fee.
Poles apart
Nordic walking poles can be made out of carbon fibre or aluminium and need to combine lightness with strength. Wrist straps should be comfortable and easy to clip and unclip. Prices start from £30. Poles can be fixed – meaning you must be sure you’ve chosen the right length – or adjustable. There’s a fitting guide on the Nordic Walking UK website.
