After all, if you are going to look a twit, better to do it when it’s not raining. It turned out to be a perfect day for taking up the latest fitness craze to hit Britain and one which proved to be immeasurably more enjoyable than I would have first believed. It was a really good workout and, far from feeling a twit, when I got the hang of Nordic Walking, I started Nordic Running. I certainly experienced an amazing feeling of agility and freedom, the closest we humans will ever come to experiencing running like animals.

The basic premise is: walking is good for you but Nordic Walking is better. As Stuart Amory, personal trainer and Nordic Walking instructor, said, ‘Walking normally, you’re in two-wheel drive but with Nordic Walking, you become a four-wheel (leg) drive machine and give your whole body a workout.’
Originating from summer training for cross-country skiers, the secret lies in the poles. Using the poles at the correct 45-degree angle to your body increases the amount of muscles you use, so not only are you working your legs, tightening your butt and loosening your hips, you can lose those awful flabby upper arms and work every muscle in your abdomen, chest and back while strengthening and improving the efficiency of your lungs and heart. The end result is not exhaustion but a healthy relaxed feeling throughout your body, particularly in your neck and shoulders.

Francis Mitchell, the guy who brought Nordic Walking to Britain (based in East Sheen) states that this kind of exercise uses more muscles than swimming, hitherto being thought of as the best all-round exercise.
So how do you do it? The best way is to try it out and join an instructor-led class. Poles will be provided. It takes about five minutes to get the hang of the co-ordination. With an instructor, you won’t only walk – you will do all sorts of gentle exercises at the beginning and end of the sessions, which leave you feeling happy, stretched and relaxed. It’s really sociable too. You can chat while doing it, and enjoy the beautiful parks that we are blessed to be surrounded by. Apart from the poles (we used Exel twisted carbon which provide the best support and flexibility), you need no special equipment.
The beauty of this exercise for me was that it’s not competitive, and it felt like ‘walking Pilates’ as it is focussed on strengthening core muscles. Bushy Park is infinitely preferable to a gym and we laughed a lot – all good for our mental and physical wellbeing.

Want to get started?
- Call Stuart Amory on 07788 448520 for details of classes (info coming)
- Charlotte Rehn runs classes on Mondays at Wimbledon Windmill, Wimbledon Common, Wednesdays at Bushy Park, Fridays at Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park, and Sundays at Roehampton Gate, Richmond Park. To book, please call 07810 812879 www.gonordic.co.uk
- Visit Lanson Running, High Street, Kingston, for equipment.