Nordic Walking – get stuck in!
Nordic walking. I’ve been hearing about it loads recently but never really knew what it was.
I mean, I walk pretty much everywhere I can so when I’ve seen it advertised as “a great workout” I have to say I’ve been sceptical.
How can that be classed as a proper workout?
So when I was offered a taster session of Nordic Walking courtesy of the Moors Valley Country Park, I was a bit hesitant at first.
Wanting to get a “proper” workout at the same, I committed myself to an hour long bike fit session at the country park.
It was the bike fit that I was booked into first though and I eagerly jumped on the bike after meeting Andy – the team leader – who talked me through my hour long session.
I haven’t been on a bike for a while – well with mine having been stolen a good year ago – I declared myself pretty fit as I do lots of exercise anyhow.
But within seconds of pedalling, the rest of my group were becoming distant dots.
Not one to be defeated easily, I battled on and tried to keep up with them as much as I could. I knew they had slowed down for me considerably.
We embarked on a trail through the beautiful natural surroundings of Moors Valley with sprints, shuttle runs and relays.
The session was relatively intense but ideal for regular cyclists who are looking to increase the exercise they undertake.
Despite the intensity, the mere fact that you can enjoy all the nature of this beautiful outdoor made it worth every second.
Somewhat exhausted but elated having taken in such breath taking views during my bike fit session, I returned to the reception at the country park to be met with Karl Prince, my lovely Nordic walking instructor.
Karl, suggested I take a small break before taking me through the principles of Nordic walking and then having a go at it myself.
So I took a stop pit at the park’s café for a nourishing jacket potato and beans safe in the knowledge in my head that the “hard bit” had ended with my bike session.
So onto Nordic walking. Karl explained the origins of this fitness informing me how it had originated in Germany for those wanting to keep fit outside skiing sessions.
He said that Nordic Walking is an enhancement of normal walking but twice as effective.
The use of poles not only helps incorporate the upper body into the workout, it also helps to propel the walker along, meaning they work harder than normal.
This has four major advantages:
- You use 90% of your major muscles so your upper body gets toned as well as your legs and backside!
- You can burn 20-40% extra calories by using the poles – this can really help with weight loss.
- It takes the pressure off your knees and joints and is great for back an dneck problems.
- You can get the most out of even a fairly short walk.
But in order to gain all these advantages, I had to learn the correct the from Karl.
It’s amazing how you think you can do something like walking so naturally that it then becomes a mental and physical workout like no other.
It took me a long while to get my head around having these poles and working them without scraping them in the ground
I’d get some of the technique right for about six or seven seconds, before losing it.
I felt challenged both mentally and physically as I realised that I was indeed getting a proper upper body workout.
Karl explained how Nordic Walking is not something you can pick up in one lesson.
In fact it can take up to four sessions to really get to grips with it. This didn’t make me feel so bad afterall!
Nonetheless it was good fun and taking in the beautiful surroundings I was in, helped disguise the fact that I was actually aching a bit from muscles I hadn’t recruited for a while.
Luckily, I was booked into the Bartley Lodge Hotel, in nearby Cadnam, all courtesy of my weekend at Moors Valley.
The surroundings of the New Forest were once again amazing to say the least and the comfort of the hotel very much welcoming.
In fact I was extremely grateful for the swimming pool and sauna on site which helped soothe my well worked out muscles before climbing into a comfy bed.
Reflecting on my weekend at Moors valley Country Park, it was a fantastic way to combine Nordic Walking with a mini break.
Walking is something we can all do, but I felt here I got a BOGOF offer having had worked my upper body as well.
As I always say, fitness is about being able to incorporating into our day to day lives and should never feel like a chore.
So why not give it a go? There’s a whole host of different activities at Moor Valley for all the family to try out, with taster sessions available for Nordic Walking.
The best bit is that you’ll feel like you’ve had a day out as well as a workout.
For more information on Moors Valley Country Park, click on www.moors-valley.co.uk
If you want to make a weekend of it and need a place to stay, check out Bartley Lodge, via reservations@newforesthotels.co.uk
www.fitlass.wordpress.com
