Nordic Walking doesn't make national newspaper headlines every day. So, we're delighted to have appeared twice in The Independent, thanks to a conversation with British Nordic Walking Instructor Katie Atkins.
And there's a rather lovely story behind how it happened.
Journalist Harry Bullmore initially contacted Katie to find out more about Nordic Walking. What followed was an article exploring its benefits, good technique and why more people should give it a go.
But the story didn't end there.
Harry was interested enough to come back and try Nordic Walking for himself!
It started with a conversation
Katie Atkins is a British Nordic Walking Instructor, founder of Nordic4 in Bristol and INWA Lead for Children & Teens.
British Nordic Walking is the sole UK representative of the International Nordic Walking Federation (INWA), the global governing body for Nordic Walking. This connection ensures British Nordic Walking instructor training follows internationally recognised standards, including the INWA 10 Step Teaching Method™.
With more than 16 years of Nordic Walking experience, Katie knows how much a good technique can make the difference.
Harry's first article explored how Nordic Walking engages muscles throughout the body, improves cardiovascular fitness and offers an effective workout without the higher impact of activities such as running.
They also discussed benefits beyond fitness.
Nordic Walking gets people outside, away from their screens and enjoying the world around them. There's time for conversation, friendship and discovering places you might otherwise walk straight past.
As Katie explained:
"When you settle into a rhythm, it feels like flying."
Anyone who has found their Nordic Walking rhythm will know exactly what she means.
The article also highlighted something we're particularly passionate about: learning good technique from the beginning.
There's a big difference between carrying poles and using them to Nordic Walk. When the technique comes together, the arms, shoulders, core and legs work as one coordinated movement, turning an ordinary walk into a whole-body workout.
Harry also directed readers to the British Nordic Walking instructor map to help them find an INWA-certified instructor.
Read Harry's first article in The Independent
And then Harry picked up the poles himself!
We had a feeling Harry might be back to give Nordic Walking a go. And we were right!
In his second article, Harry revealed the first had reached hundreds of thousands of readers. But reading about Nordic Walking and experiencing it are two very different things.
So, Harry met Katie at Ashton Court in Bristol, ready to find out what all the fuss was about.
And Katie did what any good Nordic Walking Instructor would do.
She started by asking him to walk without poles.
It sounds surprising, but Nordic Walking builds on natural walking movement. Before introducing poles, it's important to understand posture, arm swing and how the body works together.
Katie gradually introduced the technique, helping Harry learn to use the poles properly rather than simply carrying them along.
As the session progressed, he began to notice the difference.
His arms and core were working harder; the poles helped him tackle the hills, and he discovered how Nordic Walking could be adapted to different fitness levels.
And importantly, he was enjoying himself.
What started as a lesson became a proper Nordic Walking outing. They spent more than two hours walking, with Harry recording over 10,000 steps.
By the end, Harry said he felt more energetic than when he started.
And he wanted to do it again.
We think Katie might have another Nordic Walking convert on her hands!
Read about Harry's Nordic Walking experience in The Independent
Nordic Walking is for more people than you might think
One thing we particularly loved about both articles was the opportunity to challenge some common misconceptions.
In the UK, Nordic Walking is still often associated with older adults. But across much of mainland Europe, it's widely recognised as a sport and an activity enjoyed by people of all ages.
Nordic Walking isn't one particular type of walk, and it certainly isn't limited to one age group.
It can be a gentle social walk, a purposeful fitness session, a challenging hill workout or a competitive race.
For some, it's about strength, balance and mobility. For others, it's about fitness, friendship or enjoying time outdoors.
Katie's work as INWA Lead for Children & Teens reinforces this message, helping younger generations develop movement skills, coordination and confidence.
The technique provides the foundations. What you choose to do with it is entirely up to you.
Good technique makes all the difference
Harry's experience also highlighted the value of learning from a qualified instructor.
Nordic Walking looks effortless when someone has mastered the technique, but there's plenty going on.
Pole placement, arm swing, grip release, posture and stride all work together to create an effective whole-body workout.
British Nordic Walking instructors teach the INWA 10 Step Teaching Method™, helping walkers develop their technique progressively.
You don't need to be particularly fit to start, and there's no pressure to master everything immediately.
Harry didn't simply go for a walk with poles. He learnt something new, challenged his body and came away wanting more.
A big thank you to Katie and Harry
We're delighted to see Nordic Walking receiving this attention in the national press, particularly when the coverage explores what makes it different.
A huge thank you to Katie Atkins for sharing her knowledge, experience and enthusiasm, and to Harry Bullmore and The Independent for taking such an interest in Nordic Walking.
It's fantastic to see British Nordic Walking featured in both articles, with readers directed towards our network of qualified instructors.
Hopefully, Harry's experience will encourage more people to pick up a pair of poles and discover Nordic Walking for themselves.
Who knows? They might enjoy it as much as Harry did!
Fancy giving Nordic Walking a go?
Whether you're completely new to Nordic Walking, looking to improve your fitness, or curious about what makes it different, a qualified British Nordic Walking Instructor is ready to help.
Find an instructor near you and discover the INWA 10 Step Teaching Method™.