Why does it take 10 steps to teach Nordic Walking? June 14 2020

British Nordic Walking instructors use the INWA 10-Step method of teaching Nordic Walking. If you want to learn Nordic Walking why does this matter to you? Here are our three main reasons...

Nordic Walking recommended to help prevent falls May 28 2020

Nordic Walking is amongst the activities detailed in government guidance for health and care professionals as being suitable for individuals at risk of falls.

Nordic Walking exercises for people living with Parkinson's May 23 2020

As part of our project with Parkinson's UK, we have produced some videos to help people living with Parkinson's learn more about - and enjoy - Nordic Walking while coronavirus restrictions on group activity are in place.

ESCAPE Pain: helping people stay active in the time of Covid-19 April 15 2020

We have been developing a relationship with ESCAPE-pain, a great initiative that works with people who have chronic knee or hip pain - something that many Nordic Walkers are all too familiar with. Here's what they have to say about their current activities in their own words...

Nordic Walking gives faster results for losing weight than normal walking February 25 2020

Nordic Walking is a more effective exercise tool for weight loss than normal walking, research from the University of Verona shows. The results suggest that Nordic Walking gives greater and quicker benefits making it useful tool to counteract obesity and overweight state in middle-aged adults. 

Nordic Walkers love being outdoors and their wellbeing benefits February 06 2020

Spending time outdoors is known to be positively associated with higher levels of psychological wellbeing so it is no surprise that recent research by Loughborough University into the benefits of Nordic Walking found that the opportunity to be outside was ranked highest of the perceived benefits of participating in Nordic Walking.

Sue and Arthur – Nordic Walking instructors who have faced health challenges and thrived January 22 2020

Nordic Walking instructors come to the activity for all sorts of reasons; often it is significant life change that prompts that choice. Arthur Frost and Sue Turford work as instructors at the Prestatyn and Meliden “You’ll Never Walk Alone” voluntary project and know this very well.

Parkinson's UK Nordic Walking project December 11 2019

Nordic Walking and Wellness November 20 2019

Preliminary findings from research carried out during 2019 into Nordic Walking and Wellness has shown some interesting results. An impressive 88% were in good or very good health which is higher than for the general adult population at 81%.

Nordic Walking; a personal perspective from National Coach, Arlene Bowmaker October 25 2019

My name is Arlene Bowmaker and among the many ‘hats that I wear’ in my working life are Nordic Walking Instructor and National Coach for British Nordic Walking. I thought I would share my journey in the Nordic Walking world so far, from that first free taster workshop at a Pilates conference, to be being a National Trainer in Scotland.

Nordic Walking and Healthy Ageing October 23 2019

British Nordic Walking has become Signatory on the Consensus on Healthy Ageing in an initiative from Public Health England to help achieve a shared vision “for England to be the best place in the world to grow older, giving everyone the opportunities and support they need to have a healthy and good quality later life and making the best use of the strengths, skills and experience of older people.“ 

UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines recognise Nordic Walking October 03 2019

The UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines published on 7 September 2019 has recognised the benefits of Nordic Walking as a useful activity separately to those of ordinary walking.

Breast cancer and Nordic Walking August 20 2019

A study, published in the European Journal of Cancer Care, analysed nine past studies about the benefits of Nordic Walking for women recovering from breast cancer treatment.

Alison Clarke talks about being a British Nordic Walking instructor June 05 2019

Nordic Walking instructor, Alison Clarke, shares her knowledge, experience and keenness with other Nordic Walkers as a British Nordic Walking instructor.

British Nordic Walking featured by Countryside Jobs Service magazine June 03 2019

Focus, the magazine of the Countryside Jobs Service, has featured our work with South Derbyshire District Council and Rosliston Forestry Centre over the last 10 years.

Calling Nordic Walkers in Scotland and the North of England May 08 2019

We're keen to sound out what level of demand there is for running one of our Exel Nordic Walking Challenge Events in Scotland/North of England in the future. Your help completing this shirt survey would be very much appreciated.

Public Health England recommends Nordic Walking July 05 2018

Nordic Walker completes 100 parkruns May 05 2018

Colwick parkrunner Louise Third MBE, a Nordic Walker and breast cancer survivor who recently joined the 100 Club, tells us why this form of exercise is a much more vigorous workout than normal walking and how to get involved.  Read her story here.

Exel Nordic Walking Challenge Events April 21 2017

Not long now, to our first Exel Nordic Walking Challenge Event for 2017.  We'll be Nordic Walking around the beautiful Wollaton Park in Nottingham, home to Batman's Gothic manor, Wayne Hall.  

Nordic Walkers will be gathering on Sunday 7th May to take part in one of three distance challenge events and to meet their friends, old and new, who Nordic Walk across the UK.

If you've entered yet, please click on this link to book your place for Nottingham and any of the other three events we'll be running this year.

Wonderful Nordic Walking event in Wales July 05 2016

A fabulous day was had by 100 Nordic Walkers and a dedicated team of volunteers.  people had travelled from all over England and Wales to  join in the 5km, 10km and half marathon British Nordic Walking Challenge event at the end of June.

Nordic Walking challenge events are becoming increasingly popular with all ages, with their relaxed and sociable atmosphere.  This event even attracted five very keen children who excitedly Nordic Walked round the course, racing into the finish to accept their well deserved medal.  

Parents - if you struggle to distract your kids from their Gameboy’s, Wii, Nintendo or Xbox, why not introduce them to Nordic Walking?  It gets them outdoors, burns lots of calories and also teaches them important coordination skills.

Thank you to everyone who took part and make it such fun.  

If you would like to view all the event photos please visit http://traceypaddisonphotography.com/category/client-area/

Fabulous Nordic Walking Festival In Nottingham May 22 2015

The Nordic Walkers were wowed by the beauty of Wollaton Park, the friendliness of the organising team and the amazing atmosphere of the Nordic Walking community.

The ages of the Nordic Walkers ranged from a family including a lady of 84 years young to a seven year old Nordic Walker, called Ben, who was determined to beat his mum and sister in the 5km Challenge distance. His mum Sarah had started Nordic Walking because she'd heard about the health benefits and soon after her son and daughter decided they wanted to follow in her footsteps.

Many people came to challenge themselves to either complete the distance or beat their previous fastest time and were awarded with a stylish medal. All participants enjoyed the chance to meet other Nordic Walkers from areas as far flung as Surrey, Corrnwall and South Wales.

Race Director, Catherine Hughes, thanked her large team of volunteers, without whom the event would not have gone ahead. To see the results of the event go to this page:  

To see some of the photos of the event click here.

British Nordic Walking Challenge Series 2015, 4 events, 4 beautiful parks, hundreds of Nordic Walkers... April 16 2015

The British Nordic Walking Challenge Series 2015 events have now been finalised. Four events, four beautiful parks covering four seasons... and literally hundreds of Nordic Walkers.

The first event kicks off in Nottingham at Wollaton Park on May 17th, then Cardiff's Cosmeston Country Park and Lakes for July 5th. To mark the end of summer we re-visit Lydiard park in Swindon on the 6 September and then in November we are just to the West of London at Black Park in Buckinghamshire.

Click on our events page for more information and details of how to book.

Choose between 5KM, 10KM or 20KM distance and enjoy these stunning off road Nordic walking routes.

We hope to see you at one or all of the Nordic Walking events this year!

Clare Balding picks up the poles with British Nordic Walking - Tune in to Radio 4 on Thursday 19th March at 3pm March 18 2015

Clare had never tried Nordic Walking before, but she willingly set off to Bramcote Park in Nottingham to join our National Coach, Dr Catherine Hughes, and her Saturday group for a lesson. 

We’re pleased to report that after learning the first five steps, of the INWA 10 Step Method, in only a few minutes, she was off around the park and really took to it. Her speed took us (and the producer) by surprise!

We told her about our Challenge Series, and had a bit of a race up the hill and back to the car park. She strode out with quite a purpose and really loved pushing on her poles. 

Clare was visiting a project that Catherine runs for people with learning difficulties and their carers plus other members of the public who prefer a slower pace. The class is like a lifeline to some of the group, offering a rare chance for the mums and daughters of the group to enjoy doing a sport together.

Clare took time to interview everyone, and she admitted she’d had a very moving experience listening to how Nordic Walking had changed their lives.

If you miss the show on 19th March it is repeated on Saturday 21st March at 6am or you can download the podcast later http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b055jpnk

EXERCISE HELPS GROW YOUR BRAIN! March 10 2015