The WALX Team are passionate about promoting the physical, mental and social benefits of being active outdoors and believe that walking really is the way forward (excuse the pun!) when it comes to enjoyable but effective exercise.
Having all been in the fitness industry longer than we care to admit, we have seen a few fads come and go and we know that nothing beats the combination of natural movement, fresh air and fun! That’s why we decided to use our expertise to create our ‘Health Club without walls’ where professional Coaches and Guides are always on hand (or foot) to make every step count and every session enjoyable.
Read our story and follow our steps…
Timeline
Always ahead of the curve, we wanted to protect our walkers and leaders from the risks associated with turning up on a walk that was too difficult or unsuitable for due to medical issues. We also wanted to make sure that Instructors could manage their admin and communication, avoid taking..Read More
In 2015 the NWUK team were commissioned by the Seville Tourist board to create an International Conference for Instructors and Walkers. Taking in the City of Seville and neighbouring walled citadel of Carmona, this event was a first! There was a mix of presentations, themed walks and a challenge event..Read More
Our fourth event in 2014 saw us embrace everything form Roller skis, Bungypump and even Nerf guns in our tradition of creating innovative and fun programmes. Instructors from all over the UK joined us for two days of presentations, workshops and business advice from Mike and Innes
How delighted were we when we won our first major award! The UK Active outdoor programmes category was all new but we will still up against some very stiff competition. The judging was stringent, endless evidence of best practice was submitted and our protocols, training, systems and values were under..Read More
In 2013 Gill was commissioned by BLOOMSBURY PRESS to write a book for their Complete Guide series. With the help of groups around the UK and partners Worldwide, she penned a manual that is as useful for Instructors and Leaders as it is for those curious to know more about..Read More
Our third conference was a combined physical activity and nordic walking event with speakers such as Bob Laventure Consultant on Physical Activity and Older people at the British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity and Health and Robin Gargrave from YMCA fit. Once again we added more walking based..Read More
Having doubled in size we held our second conference for over 300 Instructors in Northampton. We launched several of our new programmes including our wellbeing (with balance, breathing and smovey exercises and ultimate nordic concepts such as ski fit and trek fit
Our team developed the CYQ certificate in fitness and nordic walking and became a CYQ Centre. We also wrote a bespoke exercise referral qualification and continued to create new and innovative Programmes as a weight loss course in conjunction with Pete Cohen (known as the weight loss guru)
By 2010 we had a dedicated bunch of Instructors who delivering nordic walking tuition in the UK and keen to learn more. We wanted to make sure they understood the history but more importantly began to upskill in order to change more lives. We invited Pole walking pioneers Tom Rutlin..Read More
We moved to new larger offices and training rooms in Olney as the staff team grew to 4 and we began training new Tutors and building the all new NWUK website
A new format training course was developed and REPs (Register of Exercise Professionals) accreditation gained. A new UK Office was established in Olney near Milton Keynes and Gill and Mike returned to the UK to develop NWUK brand, systems, training and programmes.
Following a break whilst living in the French Alps and consulting to the Fitness Industry about using outdoor programmes to increase engagement (as Sante Solutions), Gill and Mike discoverd the power of poles for cross country skiing and trekking. They met up with Martin Christie and invited him onto their..Read More
By the millennium, Gill had moved to the Private sector where she helped Mike build up his Health Club membership prior to its sale to a large chain. Gill remained at the helm, driving customer care, building the Membership and managing the renovation until taking a National role with the..Read More
Way back in the 1990’s Innes Kerr, Mike Rollason and Gill Stewart were key figures in the fast growing Fitness Industry. Innes began his career with DeVere fitness and Fitness for Industry whilst Mike developed a prestige Independent Health Club and outdoor activity centre in Milton Keynes. He also became..Read More