You might have seen groups of walkers leaving from Belstone, guided by website partner Denise Horner of Dartmoor Walking – you might even already be a regular on her group fitness walks.
Lots of the walkers in the groups will be using poles. But these are no ordinary walking poles – these walkers are taking part in Nordic Walking.
Nordic Walking combines the simplicity and accessibility of walking with simultaneous core and upper body conditioning, similar to Nordic Skiing. It uses specially designed poles to help enhance your natural walking, by planting the poles behind you to propel you forward – unlike Trekking where your poles are generally in front of you, being used primarily for balance. The result is a full-body work out and, because it doesn’t feel like hard work, you will be happy to walk further for longer.
If you would like to learn the technique, Denise periodically offers Learn to Nordic Walk sessions, and the next is on Saturday 25th June 2022 from 12pm to 1.30pm, starting from Simmons Park Car Park in Okehampton.
If you have already learned the technique, would like to join a group fitness walk without poles or organise your own bespoke session, you can find out more on the Dartmoor Walking website.
