Are you one of those folk who scoff about walking with poles? Do you think its something you could teach yourself or simply think what’s the point?

You are not alone and when our Team are out n about at shows we hear the same comments a lot although once we have the chance to show them the ‘power of the poles’ people do change their minds pretty swiftly. Take this gentleman for instance, it seems he felt just the same until his Partner persuaded him to give Nordic Walking a go. Read on to see what he thinks after gaining his FREEDOM passport with a NWUK Instructor!

 I was the original sceptic as far as Nordic Walking was concerned. “Walking with sticks, why do I need instruction for that? What possible benefits could I derive from it?” (Yes I called them “sticks”)
I went to the first lesson reluctantly to please my partner, who, wiser than I saw the possibilities it offered.
I met my Instructors Carol and Graham, who are very nice people, but I doubted they could teach me anything new on exercising. How wrong I was!!
By the end of the first lesson, I was a total convert and no matter how tired I was after a days work, the thought of meeting up for a lesson energised me.
I learned so much in those four weeks, plus it was very sociable as well. 
The instruction catered for individual needs, whilst nurturing a group bond.
We now do the organised walks every week, an experience I highly recommend to everyone.
Carol and Graham research each walk so that it will challenge, but at the same time be safe and highly enjoyable. The benefits to health and fitness are undeniable, but we chat, we laugh, we enjoy ourselves.
Every week the walks offer something different. New friends are made, my partner walks up hills she wouldn’t have attempted a few weeks ago. 
We see deer, rabbits, walk over fields and through woods, brilliant.
But do you know the best thing about it? 
It’s the smiles! You are enjoying it so much, you just can’t help but smile.
Thank you big time, to Carol and Graham, (and to my partner for ignoring my reluctance) for introducing me to this wonderful way of keeping fit.
Ian