Walks for All
Introduction to Fitness Walking
Exerstrider The Worlds First Fitness Walking Poles
What is Fitness Walking
Fitness Walking is a fun walking fitness session introducing people to the benefits of walking with poles. These classes are 30-45 mins have a simple uncomplicated format and get you using the fitness walking poles quickly and reaping the benefits without fuss. They are very popular for lunchtime or after work slots.
Participants will have enough proficiency to join our short walks using Exerstrider poles. For those who wish to progress to our longer and more challenging walks we would recommend undertaking our Nordic Walking programme.
Great for Community & Work Groups
Our introduction to fitness class is great for community groups who are looking for an outdoor fitness activity. Great opportunity for colleagues and friends to have a fitness walk with poles, chat and have fun and learn a new fitness skill. Using Exerstrider fitness poles you will get a full body workout while walking.
Working with Mna ag Gaire
We have been running fitness walking classes with Mna ag Gaire (Ennis Women’s Shed) for the last few months. There is a great community atmosphere of up to 15 women getting together to laugh & chat and enjoy getting fitter with this outdoor exercise programme using Exerstrider fitness poles.
Over the 4-6 week programme the women have improved their posture, balance and flexibility through walking and doing exercises using the poles. It really is a whole body workout!
What our customers say
Arrange a Class
If you have a group of friends, community group or work colleagues who are interested in this programme then please do get on touch to arrange for us to facilitate your group.
The First to Bring Exerstriders to Ireland
We are delighted to be the first company in Ireland to bring the worlds first fitness walking poles to our shores.
Exerstrider poles were developed more than 30 years ago (it’s taking a while to get them to Ireland!) by Tom Ruthin in the USA. He created a “hybrid” exercise form that combines walking, and the exercise many experts consider the ultimate total body exercise – cross-country (or “Nordic”) skiing. By adding specially designed poles to walking along with a very simple, yet specific technique he developed this hybrid total body version of walking that allows optimal level of fitness without the ‘no pain, no gain ‘ label to get fit.
Exerstrider V Nordic Walking
Fitness walking poles can be used to give yourself a better workout when walking, engaging your upper body as well as your hips and legs. Exerstriding, and Nordic walking, are the two most recognised techniques for fitness walking. They each have different benefits and at Nordic fitness Ireland we are trained to deliver both techniques and will work with you to ensure you have the right poles for reaching your goals.
Exerstrider poles do not have straps or demi-gloves, while Nordic walking poles do. The straps or gloves on Nordic walking poles allow Nordic walkers to release the poles at the end of the backstroke and catch the grips as they move forward to the front stroke/pole plant.
In the Exerstriding technique, the walker extends the pole forwards and plant it while the arm is at the handshake position. The walker then pushes the pole firmly while stepping forward, like a pump handle. The flared bottom portion of the grip allows for putting pressure on the pole during this arm stroke. The walker keeps a grip on the pole handle at all times.
In Nordic walking, the poles are continuously angled backward and the pole plant comes when the arm is straight, then a more gentle resistance is given while stepping forward. The hand eventually releases the pole completely on the backstroke, with the glove or strap snapping the pole grip back into the palm as it comes forward.
