Nordic Walking

Join us for a weekly nordic walking session for people with Parkinson's and their carers. A qualified instructor with over 15 years experience of nordic walking leads the session. The session is suitable for all abilities and levels of fitness. 

Nordic walking supports improved posture, core stability, balance and strength, and overall confidence in walking. 

The poles help to propel the body to walk with longer strides and a larger arm swing. This motion gently stretches limbs and rotates the torso which helps to maintain/improve flexibility, mobility and coordination. 

During sessions we focus on the correct gait technique and an active pole grip and release that helps hand function. 

Nordic walking offers many other health and wellbeing benefits:
- improved cardiovascular fitness
- helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and regulate blood sugar levels
- can help to improve both upper body and lower body strength
- bone density benefits from performing a weight bearing exercise
- increased stability due to two poles on the ground

Nordic walking is a social group activity in an outdoor environment that helps boost endorphin levels which act to improve mental wellbeing. Nordic walking is also associated with reduction in depression, anxiety and chronic pain.

You will need comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for outdoor exercise, and appropriate for the weather conditions. A small backpack or bum-bag - useful for personal possessions, including a bottle of water. Nordic walking poles are supplied for newcomers.

There is a cost of attendance of £3 per session, which is payable by a monthy payment of £12 in advance to the Branch’s bank account.