Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2008 | Page 59
SPORT & LEISURE
Celebration weekend, on 26
October.
Nordic Walking is a full-body
workout that strengthens your
shoulders, arms, back, abs and
legs, while reducing stress to
your knees and lower joints.
It exercises 90 per cent of the
muscles, spreading the load
around the various muscles of
the body, and is great for your
heart and lungs. Best of all,
it burns up 20 per cent more
calories than normal walking.
It’s a great workout for all age
groups.
If you are thinking about
taking up the sport, you’ll
need a pair of poles,
which feature a glove-type
attachment with metal tips for
country terrain, and removable
rubber tips for a pavement
workout. Some beginners
may find shorter poles slightly
easier. Perfectly serviceable
poles can be purchased for as
little as £15 a pair with higher
end poles costing up to £100.
You’ll also need to get some
basic instruction because it’s
not just about the poles; you
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need to change your walking
pattern, stretching your
stride while keeping your feet
straight, your head up and
your back straight.
Once you’ve received some
expert tuition, you’ll need
to practice the placement of
poles. You will naturally want
to place them in front for
balance; however, in Nordic
Walking the pole never moves
in front of your leading foot
and never moves beyond
a 45-degree angle, so it is
always pointing diagonally
backwards.
The idea is to use the poles
to power yourself uphill,
pushing through with your
arms and leaning into the hill
so that your stride naturally
lengthens. When travelling
downhill, you need to shorten
your stride slightly and bend
your knees. Beginners may find
it difficult to walk at speed.
Let the poles drag behind you
as you start walking – the
swing of your arms should set
a natural rhythm. There are
a number of routes on the
Island that are suitable for
Nordic Walking. The gently
undulating terrain from
Godshill to Stenbury Down is
a good place to start, and this
8 km stroll along quiet lanes
should take just under 3 hours.
Islander Howard Allen is
an NHS volunteer who has
been sponsored as a Nordic
Walking instructor; he gives
free tuition, including the loan
of poles, at various locations
around the Island. Places can
be booked by calling Louise
Gray on 814283.
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