Nordic walking UK are the first organisation in the UK to offer a CYQ qualification that incorporates all the skills of an exercise referral practioner but does not require fitness prescription via indoor based exercise.

Martin Christie from Nordic Walking UK explains why they have spent 3 years developing this concept. ” Traditionally exercise referral programmes have centred around gyms and leisure centres where the highly qualified staff have applied their knowledge of exercise programming according to medical conditions and the affects of medication used to control them. Many of our Nordic walking Instructors have entered the Industry with a desire to help those with ill health but as they have often not had experience within the gym environment ( despite being fully qualified fitness Instructors 2 ) they  prefer to use outdoor programmes and walking based exercise prescription.”

This NEW CYQ level 3 Diploma in Exercise referral provides these Instructors with an in depth knowledge of how to manage safe exercise programmes for people with the following conditions

• Hypertension
• Hypercholesterolaemia
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease
• Asthma
• Obesity
• Diabetes type 1 and 2
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Depression
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Simple mechanical back pain
• Joint replacement

Taught over 5 days, the course is tutored by NWUK Tutors Trish Cowie and Jason Feavers (both of whom work FULL time as exercise referral co-ordinators for their respective local Authorities in Wiltshire and York City) and Nicky Parsons a former Doctor who runs Healthy Heart classes. All believe wholeheartedly in the use of walking and nordic walking as a means to improving health and have extensive experience in the delivery of such programmes.

The qualification is open to the following:-

Any Fitness Walking or other Fitness Instructor who wishes to Work within an exercise referral scheme or create links with NHS or local authority organisations, OR

• Develop their knowledge, understanding  and ability to work with clients with medical conditions in a general way, OR
• Progress to any Level 4 specialist training qualification (Exercise Referral is now a mandatory pre-requisite for any level 4 training)

If you love walking and want to help others overcome ill health and become more active, the NWUK Nordic Academy can provide quality training and support you every step of the way.

For more information download the full course details here Exercise Referral – Overview Diploma

For dates and prices call Kaye Redwood on 0845 260 9339