Nordic Walking for health & fitness

                                         print off weekly Nordic Walking Classes

Nordic Walking has its orgins in Finland where cross-country skiers used specially designed poles during their summer training.

Nordic Walking is healthy, sociable and offers a very effective full body workout exercising 90% of your muscles in a rhythmical movement burning up to 20% more calories than normal walking. It strengthens your back, legs and arms while reducing neck and shoulder tension. Improving balance, coordination, heart and lungs.

Nordic Walking has got an advantage to running as the pressure on the joints is caught via the arm muscles and the aid of the poles. It is particular helpful for people with knee and back problems or even an inhibited range of movement to upper body and legs.

Nordic Walking can be enjoyed by everyone no matter your age and fitness level. It can be used during rehabilitation or to prevent future health issues.

Special exercise programmes are run for health conditions such as:

Lipodema, lymphoedema, heart conditions, breast cancer remission, obesity, diabetes, fibromyalgia, MS, ME, Stroke sufferers, Arthritis etc.

to increase cardiovascular, improve flexibility, reduce weight, lower cholesterol, build up bone density, improving balance and stability, reducing joint pain and to increase your general health level. Arthritis sufferers find their hips and knees less painful as the upper body takes the pressure and weight. 

The intensity of the exercise is determined by upper body effort, so people of differing fitness levels can walk and talk together, while working to their own intensity level of Nordic Walking. Classes are tailored according to the individual’s health and fitness level.

                     Benefit of Nordic Walking

Special benefits in Lymphedema

For those with lymphedema of either the arms or legs, Nordic Walking provides these special benefits:

• the added stability of using the poles enable those who need a cane to walk more easily and with less fear of falling.
• The support of the arms by holding the poles minimise the strain on the shoulder joint.
• The specific technique of holding the poles and relaxing the grip while swaying the arms activates the muscle pump of the forearm muscles.
• The hold-relax actions of the forearm muscles contribute to the extra lymph to flow out of the arm.
• These moments help to keep surgery and/or radiation scares

 General benefits:

• Exercises the whole body using 90% of your muscles 
• Burns more calories than normal walking thus increasing weight loss
• Reduces cholesterol
• Increases aerobic fitness and endurance
• Stress relief
• Increases bone density
• Reduces the load on the joints of the lower limbs
• Strengthens your spine
• Significantly reduces pain and muscle tension in the neck and shoulder region
• Strengthens your immune system
• Increases range of movement
• Alleviates anxiety and depression  

Makes an ideal cross training exercise for athletes

During rehabilitation:
• The poles provide balance and stability
• Increases flexibility and range of movement
• Increases confidence
• Reduces stress on joints
• Improves coordination

and many more....

Classes are held by fully qualified International Nordic Walking Instructor (INWA)  accredited by Nordic Walking UK, the only recognised body for this recreational sport. Classes are held in Ipswich, Woodbridge and Felixstowe.

As a qualified Sports Massage Therapists specialising in Injury prevention and rehabilitation, Marion understands the muscularskeletal biomechanics of the body and can assist with aches and pains and other health related issues.

For further information and classes please call Marion on 01394 462340