What happens when you put Nordic Walking poles into the hands of doctors, health professionals and lifestyle medicine specialists? Quite a lot, as it turns out.
British Nordic Walking was delighted to be part of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine Annual Conference 2026 at the University of Warwick, where movement was very much part of the programme.
Representing British Nordic Walking were three of our INWA-trained British Nordic Walking Instructors, Sarah McCracken, Jo Mason and Maxine Robbins. They were there to introduce delegates to Nordic Walking, share their experience and, most importantly, get people outside and moving.
This wasn't a conference where everyone stayed seated. BSLM encouraged delegates to start the day with physical activity, with sessions including yoga, running, walking, dance and Nordic Walking.
So Sarah, Jo and Maxine arrived with Nordic Walking poles, ready to get people moving.
More than walking with poles
One of the first things they explored was the difference between trekking and Nordic Walking.
The poles can look similar from a distance, but they are used very differently. Trekking poles are generally planted in front of the body to provide support and stability. With Nordic Walking, the poles are planted at an angle behind the body and used to help propel the walker forwards.
Used with good technique, Nordic Walking brings the upper body into the movement and turns walking into a whole-body workout.
Once delegates understood the difference, it was time to give it a go.
Sarah, Jo and Maxine introduced participants to the core elements of Nordic Walking technique, gradually working through the INWA 10 Step Method™, the internationally recognised method taught by British Nordic Walking.
They looked at natural arm swing from the shoulder, correct hand release, and how actively pushing through the strap changes the movement.
Then people started to notice the difference.
“I can really feel my arms and abdominals working.”
It is something our instructors hear regularly. Nordic Walking can look simple from the outside, but when the correct technique is used, people quickly realise how much of the body is involved, including the arms, upper back, core and legs.
And that was when the conversations really started.
From trying Nordic Walking to asking how it could be used
Once delegates had experienced Nordic Walking for themselves, the questions began to change.
Instead of simply asking what Nordic Walking was, people started talking to our instructors about how it could fit within their own work with patients, clients and communities.
Social prescribing came up repeatedly, alongside rehabilitation, healthy ageing and supporting people to become more physically active in an accessible and enjoyable way.
One delegate summed up their reaction:
“This really is suitable for everyone. It would be fantastic if all Social Prescribers recommended this.”
There were plenty of practical questions too. How do people find a local Nordic Walking instructor? Could a healthcare organisation train someone in-house? What poles should a community group buy? Does equipment need to be expensive? What works best on different surfaces?
Sarah, Jo and Maxine talked through the options, from finding a qualified British Nordic Walking Instructor locally to completing INWA Nordic Walking Instructor training with British Nordic Walking.
Nordic Walking and lifestyle medicine
The conference also gave our instructors the opportunity to meet and speak with leading professionals working across health, physical activity and lifestyle medicine.
These conversations created valuable opportunities to introduce Nordic Walking, explain the INWA 10 Step Method™ and raise awareness of the work British Nordic Walking instructors are already doing across the UK.
Throughout the conference, one theme kept coming back. Once people experienced Nordic Walking properly, they became interested in where it could fit within wider conversations around physical activity, health and community wellbeing.
The questions moved from:
“What is Nordic Walking?”
to:
“How could we use this?”
For Sarah, Jo and Maxine, that was exactly the conversation they had gone to Warwick to start.
Sometimes all it takes is a pair of poles, good instruction and the opportunity to experience Nordic Walking properly.
Want to try Nordic Walking?
If reading this has made you curious, the easiest place to start is with a qualified British Nordic Walking Instructor.
British Nordic Walking Instructors are trained to teach the INWA 10 Step Method™ and deliver Nordic Walking sessions, courses and groups across the UK.
Find a British Nordic Walking Instructor near you:
https://britishnordicwalking.org.uk/pages/find-your-nearest-nordic-walk
Could you become a Nordic Walking Instructor?
Perhaps you already work in health, fitness, community services or the outdoors. Or perhaps you simply love Nordic Walking and would like to teach others.
British Nordic Walking is the official UK representative of INWA and provides internationally recognised Nordic Walking Instructor training based on the INWA 10 Step Method™.
Instructor training gives you the skills and practical experience to teach Nordic Walking safely, effectively and with confidence.
Find out more about becoming a Nordic Walking Instructor:
https://britishnordicwalking.org.uk/pages/become-a-certified-nordic-walking-instructor
Interested in Nordic Walking for your organisation?
If you are a healthcare professional, social prescriber, community organisation or service interested in introducing Nordic Walking, British Nordic Walking would be happy to talk through the options.
This could include connecting people with qualified local instructors, discussing Nordic Walking opportunities for groups or exploring INWA Nordic Walking Instructor training for members of your own team.
Email: info@britishnordicwalking.org.uk
Website:
https://britishnordicwalking.org.uk/