Our nordic walking blog

World Parkinson’s Day 2026

World Parkinson’s Day 2026

A cool, bright morning. Blue skies. And over 100 people from the Parkinson’s community coming together to move, connect, and celebrate World Parkinson’s Day at Wollaton Park. This is what...
What If Your Next Prescription Was a Walk in the Park?

What If Your Next Prescription Was a Walk in the Park?

Social prescribing is a growing NHS approach that connects people to community activities that support their health and wellbeing. Instead of relying only on medication, healthcare professionals can refer people...
Why Walkers Love British Nordic Walking | Instructor Reviews

Why Walkers Love British Nordic Walking | Instructor Reviews

People training with British Nordic Walking consistently praise the supportive learning environment, expert National Trainers, and the confidence they gain using the internationally recognised INWA 10 Step Method. Instructor reviews...
From Boardrooms to Nordic Trails: Why Career Changers are Becoming Nordic Walking Instructors

From Boardrooms to Nordic Trails: Why Career Changers are Becoming Nordic Walking Instructors

A Career Change That Leads Outdoors Many who take up Nordic Walking instructing come from corporate, healthcare, teaching, and other professional backgrounds. What they share is a desire to step...
Discover the Joy of Nordic Walking at parkrun

Discover the Joy of Nordic Walking at parkrun

Many career changers are discovering a new purpose by training as Nordic Walking Instructors with British Nordic Walking, leaving office roles behind for work that blends fitness, community and wellbeing....
How Nordic Walking Took Off in Falkirk: A Scottish Success Story

How Nordic Walking Took Off in Falkirk: A Scottish Success Story

Back in 2010, when Falkirk Community Trust gyms were exploring new outdoor activities, Barbara McConnell was already encouraging people to get moving through the Step Forth programme – a walking...
How Nordic Walking Helps with Lymphoedema, Bone Health, and Peripheral Neuropathy

How Nordic Walking Helps with Lymphoedema, Bone Health, and Peripheral Neuropathy

Movement is essential for managing lymphoedema and supporting overall health. One highly effective and enjoyable form of exercise is Nordic walking. By involving the whole body — especially the arms...
From Classroom to Countryside: Why Teachers Make Excellent Nordic Walking Instructors

From Classroom to Countryside: Why Teachers Make Excellent Nordic Walking Instructors

Calling All Teachers! Take Your Skills Outdoors with Nordic Walking Are you a current or former teacher looking for a rewarding side hustle or career change? Your teaching skills—explaining, leading,...
Why Hand Straps Matter in Nordic Walking

Why Hand Straps Matter in Nordic Walking

If you've ever seen a group of Nordic Walkers striding confidently with poles in hand, you might wonder: why the straps? Unlike hiking poles or trekking poles, Nordic Walking poles...
From Grief to Grit: How Nordic Walking Helped Karen Conquer Ultra-Endurance

From Grief to Grit: How Nordic Walking Helped Karen Conquer Ultra-Endurance

Karen never saw herself as an athlete—until life pushed her toward movement. After losing her father and caring for her mother with dementia, she turned to walking for mental clarity....
Why You Should Become a British Nordic Walking Instructor: A Rewarding and Flexible Career

Why You Should Become a British Nordic Walking Instructor: A Rewarding and Flexible Career

In today’s world, where health and wellness are front and center, Nordic Walking is gaining popularity as a way to stay fit, enjoy the outdoors, and make a positive community...
Nordic Walking: Maxine’s Inspiring Path to Recovery Post-Breast Cancer

Nordic Walking: Maxine’s Inspiring Path to Recovery Post-Breast Cancer

As we mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re honoured to share the story of Maxine Robbins, a Nordic Walking Instructor and physiotherapist who has found hope and healing through Nordic...
Taking Nordic to Nepal: A Trekking Journey with Nordic Poles

Taking Nordic to Nepal: A Trekking Journey with Nordic Poles

British Nordic Walking’s National Trainer, John Horton, has just completed a challenging trek to Everest Base Camp, raising funds for a charity close to his heart. John’s journey through high-altitude...
British Team Shines: INWA World Nordic Walking Championships in Finland

British Team Shines: INWA World Nordic Walking Championships in Finland

The British Nordic Walking team put on a spectacular performance at the 2024 World Nordic Walking Championships in Lahti, Finland, bringing home 8 medals: 2 gold, 2 silver, and 4...
Empowering Parkinson’s Patients Through Nordic Walking

Empowering Parkinson’s Patients Through Nordic Walking

A pioneering initiative is transforming the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease by combining the therapeutic benefits of Nordic Walking with tailored support. For the past eight years, British Nordic...
Who is British Nordic Walking?

Who is British Nordic Walking?

British Nordic Walking isn't just about fitness; we're a movement driven by purpose. Run by Nordic Walkers for Nordic Walkers, this not-for-profit organisation emphasises community, accessibility, and proper Nordic Walking. ...
Just One Thing - Michael Mosley and Nordic Walking

Just One Thing - Michael Mosley and Nordic Walking

Are you like Michael Mosley and think that poles are just for older people with mobility issues?  We're delighted he's proved himself completely wrong! As part of his latest BBC...
Are you up for a Challenge?

Are you up for a Challenge?

Six BNW Nordic Walking Instructors tell us about their love of Nordic Walking and long distances. A common theme is that their poles help them walk for longer and go...
From Ultra Running to Nordic Walking: A Journey of Adaptation and Resilience

From Ultra Running to Nordic Walking: A Journey of Adaptation and Resilience

From despising exercise to conquering desert marathons, John's journey took an unexpected turn with osteoarthritis. Nordic walking became his new passion, offering freedom and fulfillment. Embracing resilience, he urges runners...
Celebrating Community Nordic Walking Projects

Celebrating Community Nordic Walking Projects

Here at British Nordic Walking, we'd like to start the year by celebrating our Nordic Walking community projects, and sharing the excellent way they bring community, friendship and activity to a wide...

A guide to Nordic Walking

 What is Nordic walking? At its core, Nordic Walking is a walking technique that uses poles to work your upper body as well as your legs. It’s a whole-body exercise that...

How to choose a Nordic Walking Class

Have you ever taken a class that left you feeling like you didn’t fit in? Have you tried a new type of exercise that you found stressful to learn? Nordic Walking is a...

Walk around the World!

Not only is May National Walking Month, it also brings us World Nordic Walking Day  - Saturday 20th May 2023. The theme decided by INWA for this years celebration of Nordic Walking is...

We're delighted to announce a new partnership!

We've been admirers and listeners to Mary Tweed's award-winning podcast for a long time here at British Nordic Walking. We love the combination of inspiration, information and general bonhomie. So...
Convention 2022

Convention 2022

We are delighted to be hosting our (final?) online Nordic walking convention on Saturday 19th November 2022 between 9.30 and 11.30. There is still time to register for a place...

Perimenopausal or postmenopausal – Nordic Walking is great for your wellbeing

Women experience a variety of symptoms at this stage of their lives.  Some of the more common ones are weight gain brain fog hot flushes musculoskeletal pain mood swings Research...

This October we're helping Parkrun celebrate 18 years

Parkrun's inclusive ethos started 18 years ago with the aim that anyone could join, no matter who,where or how.It's an international movement that celebrates taking part and joining in - no...

Return of the big steppers

The mythical number of 10,000 steps is often quoted as being beneficial to health. How many of us set a daily target of 10k steps to reach each day? How...
Nordic Walking is more effective than HIIT workouts - who knew?

Nordic Walking is more effective than HIIT workouts - who knew?

CNN story this morning that a report released today shows that Nordic Walking is more effective than HIIT workouts.
Walking back to Happiness

Walking back to Happiness

We're featured in a blog for the Sports and Recreation Alliance.

Award winning instructors and podcast!

We're delighted that our own Mary Tweed from Walking on Air and Nordic Walking East Anglia has been recognised for the fantastic work she has done to raise awareness of...

Why specially designed Nordic Walking poles are essential to go "Nordic Walking"

“In Nordic Walking the active use of specially designed poles engages both the upper and lower body, enhancing your walking technique, to propel yourself forward.”  “Specially designed poles” means the...

Community Project: Communities First

“A fantastic example of how Nordic Walking can appeal to everyone, of any age, from any social background, of any ethnicity, and living in any environment. Nordic Walking truly has...

Nordic Walkers needed to help with Covid-19 research

  Running Through is a research project from the University of Nottingham to investigate the impact of Covid-19 on the running community - and now on the Nordic Walking community...

Hatti Bell: award-winning British Nordic Walking instructor

British Nordic Walking instructor, Hatti Bell, given the Joan Alexander Award by Age UK Sutton for the work she does with their Nordic Walking group. 

What is the difference between Nordic Walking and pole walking?

Nordic Walking is not just "walking with poles" and with good reason. Originally developed as a means of helping cross country skiers to train when there is no snow, Nordic...

Community Project: Nordic Walking for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis

Stockport-based Life Leisure came across research that suggested Nordic Walking improves bone and muscular strength in older adults and those with osteoporosis.  From this came the idea to create a local walking group...

Connecting with Community - Sue Holden builds links with GoodGym

‘Getting Fitter Picking Litter’ and ‘Pickers and Poles’ have been the tag lines for ourExe Nordic Walking's first two events in conjunction with the charity GoodGym. Klara from GoodGym and Sue Holden...

Meet Yvonne Bignall, instructor, personal trainer, and women's health advocate

Yvonne Bignall, AKA YvonneB, is an Award Winning Women’s Health Advocate, Self-Care Coach, British Nordic Walking Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Weight Loss Practitioner who started Nordic Walking Instructing two years ago...

Community Project: Step Forth supported by Paths for All

Step Forth is a led health walks scheme, run by Falkirk Community Trust. It’s aim is to get more people active within their own communities especially those who are sedentary,...

Marion's fund-raising challenge

Can a 76-year old meet the challenge of walking 1,200 miles in a year? It’s the equivalent of walking from Bristol to John O’Groats and back again – and Marion...

Meet Gareth Davies, instructor, gold medal winner, and much more

Gareth Davies is a British Nordic Walking instructor, Master Personal Trainer, GP Exercise Referral Instructor and Weight Management Specialist for Diabetes and Obesity. He took the gold medal at the 2019...

Nordic Walking burns 46% more calories than normal walking. Or does it?

We’ve probably all heard the claim – that Nordic Walking uses up to 46% more calories than normal walking. But where does this claim come from? And is it too...

Get started with Nordic Walking for Better Health

If you started enjoying outdoor exercise during lockdown... If you know you need to get healthier to help protect yourself from the effects of coronavirus…  If you want to get...

Why does it take 10 steps to teach Nordic Walking?

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...

Nordic Walking recommended to help prevent falls

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

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...

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

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...

Nordic Walking gives faster results for losing weight than normal walking

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...

Nordic Walkers love being outdoors and their wellbeing benefits

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...

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

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...

Parkinson's UK Nordic Walking project

British Nordic Walking is working with Parkinson's UK on a three-year project to introduce people living with Parkinson's to the benefits of Nordic Walking. Starting in the East Midlands the...

Nordic Walking and Wellness

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...

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

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...

Nordic Walking and Healthy Ageing

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...

UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines recognise Nordic Walking

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

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 British Nordic Walking instructor

Alison Clarke talks about being a British Nordic Walking instructor

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

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

Calling Nordic Walkers in Scotland and the North of England

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...

Public Health England recommends Nordic Walking

We are so pleased to see the announcement on 4th July that Public Health England now recommends Nordic Walking.  Our CEO Catherine Hughes presented to senior managers working in public health at one...

Nordic Walker completes 100 parkruns

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...

Exel Nordic Walking Challenge Events

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...
Wonderful Nordic Walking event in Wales

Wonderful Nordic Walking event in Wales

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...

Fabulous Nordic Walking Festival In Nottingham

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...

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

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...

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

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...

EXERCISE HELPS GROW YOUR BRAIN!

Fascinating new research shows that your brain is capable of rejuvenating and regenerating itself throughout your life. According to John J. Ratey, a psychiatrist who wrote the book Spark: The...

A Nordic Walking milestone: First to join the 50 parkrun Club

  The 15th of November marked a first in the UK when a Nordic Walker poled her way around a Nottinghamshire course to become the first ever Nordic Walker to...

Winter workout tips

  Old man winter is knocking on the door but that doesn't mean you should allow him to slow down your Nordic Walking! Continue to reap the physical and mental...

British Nordic Walking Challenge Series Swindon | The best yet!

They came from far and wide. Every age, men and women, individuals, clubs, from all over the UK and even Italy. What brought them together? Nordic Walking. The office has...

British Nordic Walking this weekend at Lydiard Park

It's here! Lydiard Park at Swindon will soon be filled with Nordic Walkers!  First, the British Nordic Walking Instructors will gather on Saturday for the annual conference to learn all...

Nordic Walking the SAD away

British Summer Time (BST) comes to an official end this weekend when we set our clocks back an hour on Sunday.  With the time change approaching that also means cases...

INWA Nordic Walking Convention a huge success

Six Nordic Walking instructors from the UK joined the international Nordic Walking community in Barcelona to share best practice on teaching Nordic Walking.  They enjoyed learning new techniques to use in...

Enter now for the next event inthe 2014 British Nordic Walking Challenge Series

LYDIARD PARK | SWINDON | 2 NOVEMBER 2014 Join fellow Nordic Walkers from across the UK on 2 November 2014; for the second event of the 2014 British Nordic Walking...

Nordic Walking Racing Ahead!

Yesterday saw the first ever dedicated Nordic Walking Race in Britain. Some 80 people competed in this off-road course in Ashton Court Bristol, racing either a 5 Km, 10 Km...

Nordic Walking Challenge Series launch event a huge succes!

Nearly 80 people entered the inaugural British Nordic Walking Challenge Series event today at Ashton Court in Bristol. The atmosphere was amazing and this photograph reflects the way people relished...

NEW Challenge Series

British Nordic Walking is launching its first Nordic Walking Challenge Series at Ashton Court, Bristol on the 13 July 2014. For the first time in the UK Nordic Walkers from...