Age Concern Cymru

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Wales Council on Ageing - registered charity 505071

50+ Nordic Walking Has Arrived!

The Nordic Walking project is now 'up and walking'!

10 Volunteer Instructors have now been recruited, trained and qualified to the INWA (International Nordic Walking Association) high standards.

Whilst it is fully intended to provide an all Wales opportunity for participants to experience Nordic Walking, initially we are able to provide the service within say a 20 mile radius of the Instructors listed below:

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Howell Isaac: Vale of Glamorgan, part Cardiff City and Newport City.

Rowena Myles: Mainly 'old' Mid Glamorgan.

Liz Morris: Swansea, Neath & Port Talbot.

John Jones: Mainly East Carmarthenshire.

Vince Owen: Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire

Marian Lewis: South and Mid Powys (Brecon based)

Christine Pugh: Old Radnorshire and Hay on Wye.

Initially, please contact the Instructors via the 50+ Nordic Walking Coordinator:

T: 029 2043 1555

E: enquiries@accymru.org.uk

Would you like to become a Volunteer Nordic Walking Instructor?

Owing to the success of our 50+ Nordic Walking programme, we will soon be looking to train another group of Volunteer Nordic Walking Instructors from across Wales.

If you would like further information about becoming a Volunteer, please contact the 50+ Nordic Walking coordinator on 029 2043 1555 or email enquiries@accymru.org.uk

To remind you, a summary of the benefits of Nordic Walking follows:

Irrespective of age or physical condition, Nordic Walking provides many benefits.

Exercises 90% of your muscles

Nordic Walking is a total-body workout using 90% of all your muscles. The muscles most actively involved are those in the forearm, the posterior shoulder muscles, the large pectoral muscles and the broad back muscles.

Burns 20% more calories than ordinary walking at the same speed.

Using so many muscles in Nordic Walking means that energy consumption is higher than normal walking at the same speed. Research has shown that on average it is 20%, but can be up to 46% higher. Nordic Walking can burn up to 400 calories per hour compared to 280 per hour for normal walking.

A higher heart rate is achieved compared to ordinary walking.

In order to burn calories and gain improvements in fitness, it is important to exercise at an intensity that increases your heart rate for prolonged periods. Nordic Walking can increase your heart more than ordinary walking by up to 13%. This makes it ideal exercise for people who are unable to walk quickly: they can walk at the same speed but by using the poles they can exercise more and gain more fitness benefits.

Exercise more with less effort

Research shows that Nordic Walking feels less tiring than normal walking, despite using more muscles. Therefore you can feel relatively comfortable but are actually exercising harder and will be able to exercise for longer. Nordic Walking provides a method of training at a higher intensity than other fitness techniques nordic Walking2007 004.jpg

Age Concern Cymru looks forward to you participating in Europe's fastest growing Well-being and Active Lifestyle initiative

Check out the 50+ Nordic Walking Weblog for information about forthcoming Nordic Walking Events in your area and your chance to comment on the project! Click Here!

Supported by the Countryside Council for Wales