Frequently Asked Questions
General
All walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers.
To get off on the right foot with one of our walking programmes, it’s important to have the proper clothing: comfortable, well-fitted walking shoes; appropriate socks; and loose-fitting clothing. When you start out there is no need to buy anything special but as your walking activity increases you may want to buy more suitable clothes depending on the type of walking you are doing.
When you first start one of our walking programmes you need comfortable well fitting shoes. There is no need to go out and buy anything special to start with. As you increase your walking activities you may want to buy a more substantial shoe or boots depending on the type of walking you are doing.
Our Walk for Wellbeing is suitable for all levels of fitness. Before you begin with us we will carry out a health assessment and start you on the programme at an appropriate level for you. The programme is progressive so the walking distances will increase as you fitness improves.
On Nordic Fit
- Improved pace ascending & descending hills
- Controlled progress across technical trail and mountain terrain
- Improved energy efficiency
- Reduced likelihood of injury
- More rapid recovery following events
For Nordic Circuits you will need comfortable trainers. For both Power Hiking and Nordic Running you will need trail type shoes. Good grips are essential.
On Nordic Walking
Like other forms of moderate activity, regular Nordic walking can lower your risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, stroke and some cancers. As well has improving anxiety and depression. Additionally, it can also be used as part of an exercise programme to assist with weight loss.
Nordic Walking combines the simplicity and accessibility of walking with simultaneous core and upper body conditioning similar to cross country skiing. The result is a full body workout, which means that, you:
- release tension in the neck and shoulders
- improve your posture and gait
- strengthen your back and abdominal muscles
- reduce the impact on the joints
- burns more calories compared to walking without poles
- And because Nordic Walking doesn’t feel like hard work you’ll be happy to walk further and for longer.
Nordic Walking involves approximately 90% of your muscles and especially engages your upper body and arm muscles as well as increasing the lateral mobility of your neck and spine.
It improves your posture by engaging the muscles in your back and core. The technique encourages a more upright posture.
Nordic Walking reduces the impact on hip and knee joints by up to 30%. It is a great sport in its own right but also excellent for runners who are returning from injury.
The hand loops on nordic Poles are desogned to perform the correct technique and to achieve the most benefits for the upper body muscles. you cannot use hiking or ski poles for Nordic Walking. We will tell you more about this during your lesson.
Online Events
Do not compare yourself to others. Some people may have been doing the class for longer. Age, injuries, genetic makeup are all factors that can determine a persons flexibility. Work at your own level and you will see results.
Anything that is comfy. Leggings or shorts are ideal with a Tshirt and sweatshirt over it (you will probably take this off as you warm up). For Stretch ‘n’ Flex we recommend bare feet and trainers for Walk Fit.
To join the virtual walk you need to download the World Walking App to your phone. You can then request to join the Nordic Fitness Ireland Group. Once you are set up every time you go out for a walk record your steps and then add them to the walk we are currently doing. As we virtually walk along a route you can read about different milestones and see pictures. Just another way to see the world whilst we can not travel.
