Frequently Asked Questions
Lots and lots of questions and answers on this page, please scroll right down.
What is nordic walking? and What is the difference between nordic walking and ordinary walking?
Who can do it?
Isn't nordic walking just walking with 2 sticks for old people?
Don't you have to be very fit and walk very fast? Isn't it a kind of speed walking?
It's just a gimic, isn't it?
How fit do you have to be to learn the nordic walking technique? I haven't done much exercise recently.
I'm hopeless at things needing co-ordination, like Scottish dancing - my brain just freezes - do you think I could master the nordic walking technique?
Will I look like a geek?
Why should I come to you for tuition when I can just buy some poles off the internet?
Which nordic walking pole brands do you recommend?
I've heard that nordic walking is a sport. Why then do you refer to it as an easy comfortable way of walking?
How could it fit in with my lifestyle?
How much of a commitment is it?
I don't know anyone else to go with.
Does it mean I have to sign up for a course of lessons?
(Please scroll down for lots more frequently asked questions about the nordic walking technique or return to the ^ top of faq page)
How much does it cost?
What do I wear?
I already have walking poles, can't I use them?
What's the difference between walking poles and nordic walking poles?
I already have my own poles and want to use them in a lesson.
Do I have to buy poles before I come to a lesson?
Where do you teach?
Do I have to buy poles from you?
I don't want to use it across country, I just want to use it to help my stability and get about town or to help me recover after an operation.
How far do you walk in a lesson?
Where can you go nordic walking?
What about cameras and binoculars? What about a rucksack?
Do you go nordic walking even in bad weather?
I have a dog, does that mean I can't go nordic walking?
What injuries can you get from nordic walking?
Why should I bother to pay to learn the nordic walking technique when I can walk anyway for free?
Have you forgotten your skis?
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What is the nordic walking technique? and what is the difference to ordinary walking without poles?
What is the difference between nordic walking and ordinary walking?
With the correct nordic walking technique and the proper kind of poles, you are using all your four limbs to move along very easily, powerfully and comfortably:- as well as using your legs normally, you are using your arms and shoulders which are extended by the poles, giving you extra power. You walk with longer levered strides, powerfully, and smoothly.
It feels comfortable and easy, and yet; you are covering the ground faster than you would just walking normally - just because of your longer strides (instead of actually moving your legs faster - so you don't scurry along). You feel a springy rhythm as you go, which is one of the most enjoyable bits. It's like a sort of strong powerful easy cruise over the ground. And almost as a side effect, you are actually exercising your body harder, in comparison with ordinary walking, (see my page on the health benefits) but it feels very easy, and, unless you choose to use the nordic walking technique very energetically, it doesn't have feel like hard work.
You can use the technique anywhere you would normally walk. And it's great for the hills. You can cruise uphill powerfully and easily, far easier than if you are just walking ordinarily. And downhill - you can use the technique to give you lots more stability, so you feel safer.
If you have aches in your knees or hips, the poles and the technique can help you spread your weight so movement may be less painful.
To achieve all this and to get the best out of your poles, you really do need to learn the correct nordic walking technique from a qualified instructor, like me.
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Who can do it?
Almost anyone at any age. I have taught people in their 20s, people who I would guess are in their 30s and 40s, right up to ladies in their late 70s.
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Isn't nordic walking just walking with 2 sticks for old people?
You wouldn't say that if you'd seen me racing up a hill. Nordic walking can be done very energetically and I can show you how to nordic run. There is an advanced level of the technique specifically designed for athletes. (I can show you this, but I don't coach athletes). And also have a look at the answer which mentions the new "nordic fitness sports".
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Don't you have to be very fit and walk very fast? Isn't it a kind of speed walking?
You do not have to nordic walk fast. It isn't all about speed. I think it is about finding and creating and enjoying extra power as you walk, covering the ground well in easy strides but by no means necessarily racing along. You can go as fast or as slow as you want. You can do it as energetically or as gently as you want. You might choose to use the poles and the technique to keep up with someone who may normally walk more quickly than you do, and equally, you can use the technique and your poles at a gentle slow pace and still derive great benefits from them.
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It's just a gimic, isn't it?
All I can say is that it works for me - see my personal experience - and if you would like me to, I could refer you to many people to whom I have taught the nordic walking technique, who would be only to pleased to tell you what they think of it and me, and why they have bought nordic walking poles and use the nordic walking technique around here. It's not until you have had a lesson from an experienced instructor like me, and tried it for yourself, that you realise what a difference the technique and the poles might make to your walking.
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How fit do you have to be to learn the nordic walking technique? I haven't done much exercise recently.
You need to be sufficiently fit to walk gently and to swing your arms gently, in the first instance. Any lesson will be tailored to suit you. I will ask you about your fitness and your aims when you first make an appointment, and again on the day. As in all forms of exercise, it is advisable to consult your doctor before undertaking a new exercise regime. It is most important, for your own safety, that you inform me of any health concerns. For your own safety, I reserve the right to decline to teach you if I think that is appropriate.
If you have asthma, please be sure to remember to bring your inhaler. If you have suffered at any time from an allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock, please tell me and bring your epipen. Please do make sure you have not skipped any meals on the day you come for a lesson or walk, and bring a snack with you such as a cereal bar or a banana, and plenty of water to drink as you exercise. ^ top of faq page
I'm hopeless at things needing co-ordination, like Scottish dancing - my brain just freezes - do you think I could master the nordic walking technique?
Yes, I do, if you are patient with yourself and have proper tuition. You are not alone. Mastering the nordic walking technique is like anything else - some people master the nordic walking technique relatively easily and quickly, and some people need quite a lot more time. This is where an experienced instructor can help you.
Often I can help people simply to relax,and not think too hard, keeping their brain "unscrambled" whilst we gently build up the technique and together find out what works and makes sense for them as individuals. If you feel that you might have difficulty with your co-ordination, then you will probably get by far the most benefit from one to one coaching, or next best, in a small group (2 or 3 people), rather than in a class situation. So give it a go, be patient and try not to worry about it. There's no exam at the end. We will do as much or as little as you choose and I'll be there to help you get as much out of your poles as you are hoping for.
Will I look like a geek?
NOT if you come for some proper tuition, (both introductions and refreshers) because you should then as a result look both tidy and powerful, but if you don't bother with any tuition, then yes - you might.
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Why should I come to you for tuition when I can just buy some poles off the internet?
Are you sure you know how to get the best out of the special nordic walking poles? Are you going to be safe? Are you sure you know which brand and model and size of nordic walking poles are going to be best for you?
I will teach you the proper nordic walking technique on a date which suits you, to show you how to get the best out of the technique and the poles for your own purposes. Why struggle along on your own with the poles doing the equivalent of a "doggy paddle", when you could be powering along doing "crawl"?
I will also show you a range of different brands of poles, and you will learn how to use the poles correctly, you will learn to recognise how a decent pole should feel, and you will have the chance to try out different brands for yourself, so you don't risk making an expensive mistake and buy "blind".
"It was well worth having the tuition first".
A comment made to me during a social nordic walk at Knightshayes Court on 30 May last year, by John Wingate who lives in Barnstaple. John leads walks for a walking group based at Ilfracombe. He used to feel really tired walking up the hills, (John is, I think, of retirement age,) now he finds the nordic walking technique an enormous help
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Which nordic walking pole brands do you recommend?
There is general advice about nordic walking poles on the Poles page of this website and on this page, but I do not give specific recommendations on this website. I am independent and impartial. I am not a sales agent.
I will only give recommendations to people who come to me for tuition in the nordic walking technique, as part of the course.
Please do not ring or email me asking which brand you should buy, or where you can buy them, unless you are also seriously interested in tuition from me.
As part of the tuition, I will show you a range of different brands of poles and I will tell you about the good points and any problems I have had with each brand, so you can make an informed decision of what to buy. I will also tell you about suppliers who have proved reliable and knowledgeable.
I've heard that nordic walking is a sport and also that it is a keep fit exercise. Why then do you refer to it as an easy comfortable way of walking?
I say that you may use the nordic walking technique in whatever way you like best.
Many people do use it as an intensive aerobic all-over body workout and as a complement to their exercise regime in the gym.
I personally like to use it as a very comfortable and invigorating way to walk across Exmoor. I find that I can cover the country and go up and downhill far far more easily than when I walk ordinarily without my poles. Almost as a side effect, I have become much fitter, my knees don't suffer so much going downhill, and I can walk far greater distances than before. I've also joined with other nordic walkers to support charity fun runs/walks.
Many of the local Exmoor people who have trained with me, come because they have enjoyed walking all their lives, and now they are becoming perhaps a little creaky so my teaching together with the nordic walking technique can make a real difference to their enjoyment of the countryside. I also have mums who now have some more time as their children are at school and who want to get a bit fitter without suffering too much..
I will show you the technique and depending on your interests, we will concentrate on the parts of the technique which are most useful to you, whether it is using the poles to loosen up your shoulders, or exercises to increase your aerobic fitness, or whether it is taking the weight away from your knees to go down hills in greater comfort.
Why a sport - well, I think that's the trendy image that the pole manufacturers wish to promote, and they are coupling nordic walking with nordic blading (using inline skates and rather like rollerskating with very long poles, great fun I should think,) and hill walking (using their hiking poles), with cross country skiing (using their skiing poles), and marketing (and inventing) exciting new outdoor exercises (using their poles). There's gold in them there hills... good luck to them.
There are 'posts' about nordic walking events on the international nordic walking forum which I mention on my links page. People are nordic walking/nordic running marathons in the USA and in Central Europe, so I guess we will see more competitions in future. I just hope that these people will have been to a proper instructor first and learned to use the poles safely; the thought of all those legs and poles together in a race...
You, personally, You, can use it as you want. ^ top of faq page
How could it fit in with my lifestle?
It all depends on your priorities, you could consider the following:
- Mix your exercises to keep you motivated and fresh – e.g. play tennis on Sunday, 1/2 hour nordic walk to work and back on Tuesday, go to the gym Wednesday evening, nordic walk for an hour with friends early Friday evening, go swimming with the family on Saturday morning.
- Nordic walk each time you walk the dog. (see the Dog FAQ below)
- Nordic walk whilst supper is cooking.
- Nordic stroll after supper (only gentle walking after a meal).
- Nordic walk to work twice a week - it will wake you up without necessarily getting you all sweaty
- Nordic stroll after Sunday lunch
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How much of a commitment is it?
None. Once I have taught you the nordic walking technique, (and you may learn enough for your purposes in a morning's introduction followed at a later date by a one hour's refresher session to ensure you are getting the best out of your poles,) all you need is your poles and off you go.
You don’t even need to buy poles. You may use my poles if you attend my guided walks, and if you are local and it is practical, you may sometimes hire poles from me.
Once you have mastered the technique, you can use it anywhere at any time whenever you choose, with other nordic walkers, and also in company with anyone else who is just walking with hiking poles or without any poles.
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I don't know anyone else to go with.
You are very welcome to come and learn the technique from me on your own. Lots and lots of people do. Once you have learned the technique, you don't have to join other nordic walkers to go nordic walking, you can just use the technique whenever you would normally go out walking, whether on your own, or for example, with friends and the family on a Sunday afternoon, even if they are not using the nordic walking technique. But bring them along to a lesson too, because it is particularly good fun to go nordic walking with other nordic walkers as you can then get up a lovely bouncy nordic walking rhythm and together enjoy a lengthened stride eating up the miles.
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Does it mean I have to sign up for a course of lessons?
Not if you choose to come for individual or your own small grop coaching; the introductory lesson will give you the basics of the technique and I follow it up with a refreshers session, once you have practised a bit. So that's only 2 meetings totalling four hours - please refer to the introductory page for more details. Otherwise please see the introductory page for details of the new group class about to start at Killerton.
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How much does it cost?
Please go to the activities pages and click on the appropriate page - the bottom of the introduction page has the cost of instruction for the combination of the introduction and the refreshers lesson which together give you a safe basis for the technique. Please do read through the page first to see what you are getting for your money; my tuition gives you a comprehensive and in depth experience and shows you how to really make your poles work for you, and this gives you a whole lot more than just a sketchy "taster". The basic cost for one to one tuition at Dulverton and the group course at Killerton are the same, but have different lengths of time.
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What do I wear?
You don't need fancy sports gear, you can just wear ordinary lightweight non-bulky walking clothing, light walking boots with a good tread for safe walking in slippery conditions in the winter, and trainers or walking shoes for the summer. If you come for a lesson in the summer when I teach on the top of the open moor, please come in trousers, not shorts.
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I already have walking poles, can’t I use them?
Nordic poles are not the same as ordinary walking poles used for trekking. Please see the Poles page. Some people will proudly tell you how they use their walking poles to nordic walk. They won’t be using the correct technique and getting all the health benefits, and they may be tiring themselves unnecessarily and risking wrist strain. ^ top of faq page
What’s the difference between walking poles and nordic walking poles?
Please see the Poles page for details of poles. The difference is in the strap and the technique. In my experience, if you use proper poles combined with the correct nordic walking technique, then you should feel greater power and comfort in your walking, and at the same time help yourself to become fitter and stronger. I personally think that the nordic walking technique and poles will replace hiking poles in time. ^ top of faq page
I already have my own poles and want to use them in a lesson.
Our first priority is your safety. I would like to have a look at your poles first before agreeing to teach you using them. There are a lot of so-called nordic walking poles on the market, some are good, others are not so good. I will not agree to teach you to nordic walk using ordinary walking poles. You are welcome to use my poles for any Fun and Fitness nordic walking devon activities.
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Do I have to buy poles before I come to a lesson?
No, not at all. In fact I suggest that you don't buy any poles before you have learned the technique, because part of my service is to show you a range of different poles, and what to look for, thus possibly preventing you from making an expensive mistake.
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Where do you teach?
I am based in Dulverton and teach mostly around this area. I also offer one to one and small group tuition in the Minehead, Wellington, Taunton, Exeter, Barnstaple, Tiverton, and Dawlish areas if you are willing to contribute towards my travelling costs. Sometimes I run open group classes in different areas. On Saturday, 11 October, there is a group class starting at Killerton, between Tiverton and Exeter. Please have a look at the diary page and the Activities/introductory pages for more details.
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Do I have to buy poles from you?
No, I do have just a few poles available for sale as a service to some of my customers who may not have access to the internet, or who have made up their minds and want the convenience of buying there and then, but I have no shop, so instead I can offer you impartial advice about the cheapest suppliers of decent poles, of whom I am aware, and about the range available.
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I don't want to use it across country, I just want to use it to help my stability and get about town or to help me recover after an operation.
I can also show you how to use the poles to spread your weight and to walk with greater stability, at and around your home, if there is space, and with your doctor's consent. Many people take up nordic walking following a referral from their GP. The instruction would obviously be tailored to suit you.
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How far do you walk during a lesson?
The length of walk during the first lesson will be tailored to suit you. Most people will walk about a mile to a mile and a half during the introductory lesson. This is only a relatively short distance because during the lesson I will demonstrate different elements of the technique as you progress from stage to stage and give you advice about the poles at the end, so you won't be walking for the whole time. Sometimes, if for example, you haven't walked much in recent months, we will limit the time spent on the actual exercise to about 20 minutes, if this is what suits you best. Please see the introductory lesson page.
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Where can you go nordic walking?
You can nordic walk almost anywhere: streets, parks, fields, footpaths, the beach and trails. I have used the nordic walking technique across rough ground, bogs, to cross streams and heather on Exmoor. I have also used the technique up and down steps along a mountain path, along the levadas in Portugal and Madeira, along the beach in the Algarve and up and down the sand dunes at Braunton Burrows. The ideal place is a smooth footpath with ups and down so that you can get into a nice active rhythm. (Like Killerton). ^ top of faq page
nordic "climbing" up the steep path from the beach in the Algarve ^ top of faq page
Do you go nordic walking even in bad weather?
For introductory sessions, I always check the forecast, and liaise with you if it is threatening awful rain. An introduction to nordic walking is meant to be fun, not a trial of endurance, so if you absolutely hate the rain, then we can reschedule. I have a favourite wet weather venue and a favourite sunny weather venue. If we choose to go and rain is threatened, we usually nordic walk in the shelter of the woods alongside the river Barle where you don't notice the rain, instead of on the exposed top of the moor where there is little cover. On sunny days, we go on to the moor to see the beautiful views of Dunkery Beacon, Withypool Hill and Haddon Hill. ^ top of faq page
What about cameras and binoculars? What about a rucksack?
You can still use your cameras and binoculars when out on a nordic walk. You can also use a rucksack provided it does not
interfere with the swing of your arms too much. The "daysacks" are usually ok. I personally prefer a waistband belt for my water bottle and first aid pack.
I have a dog, does that mean I can't go nordic walking?
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If you can let your dog off the lead when you walk it, then with care, the risk of using your poles with the dog should be minimal. Naturally, you will have to make sure you don’t fall over the dog, and that you don’t hit the dog with the poles, especially when the dog is behind you.
You can’t safely throw sticks or a ball with your poles strapped on. I usually kick the ball for the dog. You could also try nordic walking across one field, unstrapping and throwing the ball for the dog in the next, and so on. Use your common sense. If you have the nordic walking poles which have a quick release wrist strap, then it's relatively quick and easy to unstrap, bend down to pick up and then throw the ball, click in the strap again and continue on your way.
Nordic walking is not designed to be used to walk dogs on a lead so it is for each individual dog owner to make their own mind up. Certainly using the poles and having a dog lead in the hand can be dangerous, as the dog can pull your arm and unbalance you.
Some people do decide to take a calculated risk and nordic walk with their dog on a waist lead. I sometimes put my two cocker spaniels on short waist leads when I nordic walk on the moor and there are lots of pheasants about. They have become resigned to it now, and we can walk along happily together; it isn't easy and it does cramp my nordic walking style, but for me a walk in the countryside is incomplete without a dog around.
This is a decision which you alone must take and for which you alone must be responsible, as only you know how well your dog behaves and how strong and safe you feel using the poles and whether you are concentrating on what you are doing. An untrained dog on a lead with nordic poles could pull you about and unbalance you. Even with a well behaved dog, you still need to be extra extra careful. You also need to be very very careful and to concentrate if you have the dog on a lead in one hand and your unstrapped poles in another. Please don’t hold the dog on a lead and the unstrapped poles both in the same hand, or you will almost certainly fall over your poles - I have and it really hurt.
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What injuries can you get from nordic walking?
Of course, any activity carries an inherent risk of some kind of injury. Even ordinary walking without poles or hiking can give rise to foot and leg problems, especially if you have not warmed up sufficiently, stretched at the end, and especially, especially if you overtax yourself. You should always consider getting your doctor's approval before undertaking any new activity, especially if you have any existing injury or weakness. I am not medically qualified so I can only say that, logically, spreading the effort and load across 4 limbs rather than 2, by using poles, should reduce the likelihood of injury to your legs and feet, and please have a look at the research papers quoted on the health benefits pages of this website. I, personally, have not suffered any injury which I can put down to using nordic walking poles. I have had 3 falls over the last 3 years when out nordic walking - in every case when I was not properly concentrating and I was going very fast, hurrying over pretty rough and slippery ground, and I caught my foot on a fallen branch or stone - and so far, I have not hurt myself as a direct result of having the poles in my hands.
I have found that certain straps hurt my hand and/or wrist on certain poles, probably because I have (I think) a historic repetitive strain injury from using a computer mouse over the years for hours on end, but I have found other straps on other poles are comfortable and do not hurt me, and this is of course personal to me as an individual. But this is why I believe that you should always try out different brands of poles before you buy one, as there is no substitute for your own preference and feel for a strap and grip. (I offer you the chance to try out different poles when you come to me.)
Of course you can slip, or fall over a rut when you are walking, whether you have poles or not, although I think from my personal experience that using the poles correctly will help with your stability along rough ground and up and down hills. There may possibly be a potential for repetitive strain injury to the wrist or hand if you overdo your nordic walking, or don't use the correct technique, but I can only speculate about this as I am not medically qualified. There is one topic which mentions injuries from falls on the nordic walking forum which I mention on my links page and I am aware of one manufacturer which produces poles with straps said to "release" if you have a fall, but please note I do not vouch for the messages posted on that forum and I have no idea how accurate or otherwise the messages are, nor whether any "releasing" strap is worthwhile or not, I am just mentioning them for completeness so that if you are concerned, you can always have a look, but do please speak to your own doctor first and foremost.
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Why should I bother to pay to learn the nordic walking technique when I can walk anyway for free?
It's a free country.. and this is all about adding more enjoyment to your walking, not enforced exercise or trials of endurance......
However you might think about the extra health benefits you could gain from using the correct nordic walking technique compared to ordinary walking......
And, if you want to look cool, powerful and efficient when using your poles, you could do with someone starting you off on the right track and watching your progress with an expert eye.
Why bother to invest in poles of any sort, and then not get the best out of them? .....
and consider the appearance of the untutored beginner spider...
- Do you really want to run the risk of looking like some kind of demented spider,
as you flail along waving your poles around, and tripping over them each in turn, before you spike some unfortunate being in the groin!? -
(if you too have seen someone like this, then I bet they haven't had any proper instruction,)
or,
-
do you want to appear
strong, comfortable, controlled and even graceful?
If you learn the correct nordic walking technique from a properly trained nordic walking instructor, you should learn safely, comfortably and easily.
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Have you forgotten your skis?
If I had £1 for every time.... this recurring query represents the only disadvantage to nordic walking that I am aware of. You will quickly learn to concoct ever-more impressive answers to this one. A special Fun and Fitness prize awaits the inventor of the best witty unanswerable response.
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