NordicWalking

Induction to Nordic Walking... Nordic Walking for Fitness... Nordic Walking for Health...  Nordic Walking for Weight Loss... Nordic Walking Challenge... Nordic Walking Weekenders... Nordic Walking Events... NordicWalkingNews... Nordic Walking for Dogs... Fit 'n' Fun Nordic Walking for Children... And so much more...

Nordic Walking is UK's fastest growing outdoor physical activity - it is easy, fun, social and uplifting.  Nordic Walking enhances your natural walking experience by using a pair of lightweight specially designed poles that provides great support while increasing the effectiveness of exercise without the extra effort.  Mel and Neal have been running regular Nordic Walking sessions since 2005 and offer you the most extensive timetable of Nordic Walking sessions in the Cambridgeshire area to suit everyone no matter what age, fitness level or physical condition.  Nordic Walking with FitHaven are the most established, diverse and longest running group sessions in the Cambridgeshire area and they have a fantastic following of people of all ages, levels and fitness/non-fitness backgrounds. They are fully qualified, fully insured and risk assess every single route with their dog, Millie and they look forward to bringing you and your entire body immense fitness, health and well-being benefits with poles in both hands!

Click HERE for Weekly NordicWalkingNews!

Pictures Taken: Sunday 1st August, Granchester to Cambridge Nordic Walk

Mondays Nordic Walking for Fitness
Join Mel on her popular Monday lunchtime Nordic Walks and enjoy our beautiful countryside as it changes seasons each week on fabulous routes to take you away from your normal every day routine and give you back a bit of 'me' time and into better fitness, health and general wellbeing.  Routes average 4 to 5 miles in the time set at a brisk Nordic walking pace (3.2 to 3.7 mph).  Monday Lunchtime Sessions Are Suitable for:  Those who have Nordic Walked before and/or have taken park in the Beginners Nordic Walking sessions,  the relatively fit and experienced walkers.  Unfortunately these sessions are NOT suitable for Beginners to Nordic Walking or walking in general (please refer to our Beginners Sessions running - details below).  No Need To Book - Just Turn Up - £6 per session including pole hire.

Tuesday Nordic Walking for Health
*NEW* Tuesday Evening Sessions run in the evenings (summer only) and Tuesday lunchtime from 7th September onwards for those who want a slightly slower-paced walk for general health and fitness using the fabulous Nordic walking poles and for those who walk with poles already but find the other regular sessions a bit too far, fast or intense.  You will still gain all the amazing health, wellness and fitness benefits of Nordic walking but will be able to take your time, enjoy the outdoors and socialise with other like-minded people too!  Price:  £6 per session including pole hire, pay as you go, no need to book, just turn up!  NOT Suitable for Complete Beginners/Unfit to NW!

Wednesday Nordic Walking for Health
*NEW* Wednesday Weight Loss/Health Nordic Walking burns more calories per hour compared to normal walking alone - 40% more calories in fact!. PLUS you get use 90% of your body's muscles - all without the extra effort, so its very useful if you want to lose more weight, tone up and want a new exercise routine that is easy, gets you fitter, gets you out and that EVERYONE and ANYONE can do.  Sessions Are Suitable for:  Those who have Nordic Walked before and/or have taken part in Induction to Nordic Walking sessions.  Unfortunately these sessions are NOT suitable for Beginners to Nordic Walking (please refer to our Induction Sessions running - details below).  No Need To Book - Just Turn Up - £6 per session including pole hire.

Evening Nordic Walking for Fitness (Spring/Summer Months Only)
Join us for our Evening Nordic Walking for Fitness and enjoy fabulous early evening summer sunshine and routes to get you outdoor fit, healthy and toned with poles in both hands.  The routes average 5 to 6 miles in distance in the time set at a brisk fitness Nordic walking pace (minimum 3.7 to maximum 4.4 mph).  Sessions Are Suitable for:  Those who have Nordic Walked before and/or have taken part in the Induction Nordic Walking sessions.  Also for those who are fit or relatively fit, experienced walkers and those wanted to get a great outdoor fitness blast.  Unfortunately these sessions are NOT suitable for Beginners to NW, or those who class themselves as unfit or new to walking in general (please refer to our Induction Sessions running - details below).  No Need To Book - Just Turn Up - £6 per session including pole hire.

Friday Nordic Walking for Health
A Friday lunchtime Nordic Walk is starting for those who want a slower-paced walk using the fabulous nordic walking poles. This is still a great session and is suitable for everyone including the active older adult, those with hip, knees or back problems, if you are overweight or unfit, if you have medical conditions and those who walk with poles already but find the other regular sessions a bit too far, fast or intense.  You will still gain all the amazing health, wellness and fitness benefits of Nordic walking but will be able to take your time, enjoy the outdoors and socialise with other like-minded people too!  Price:  £6 per session including pole hire, pay as you go, no need to book, just turn up!

Saturday Nordic Walking for Fitness
GET Up... GET Out... GET Summer Fit Nordic Walking with FitHaven...  Come and enjoy an early morning fresh air fitness blast with Neal and Mel on a Saturday morning.  These Nordic Walking sessions will take you around a different route each week so you can discover the tracks and trails of our beautiful countryside locations. Routes average 5 to 6 miles in the time set at a brisk Nordic walking pace  (3.5 to 4.2 mph).    Saturday Morning Sessions Are Suitable for:  Those who have Nordic Walked before and/or have taken park in the Beginners Nordic Walking sessions, relatively fit and experienced walkers - unfortunately these sessions are NOT suitable for beginners to Nordic Walking, the unfit, have injuries or health conditions (please refer to our Beginners Nordic Walking Sessions running - details below)  No Need To Book - Just Turn Up - £6 per session including pole hire.

Induction to Nordic Walking

Learn how to Nordic Walk with Mel or Neal on either a four week course or a two week taster/induction session, in a group, to help you build up your confidence, stamina and technique in this amazing outdoor exercise form.  It will also prepare you and your fitness levels for either the regular sessions or other exercise forms that you may be interested in.  We promise that this will be a fun, easy yet extremely effective outdoor exercise experience that we know you are going to love. 

Suitable For: This course is specifically aimed at complete beginners to the Nordic Walking technique.  Regardless of your age, ability or fitness level this course will help give you a great foundation to this wonderful outdoor exercise regime and will give you MASSIVE health benefits along the way.  Payment in advance or on your first session for the FULL course.

Nordic Walking 'Charity' Challenge...
British Heart Foundation 3rd Great Cambridgeshire Run/Walk

Sunday 12th September, Wimpole Hall, 10am onwards...

Give yourself a late summer Nordic Walking Challenge and book Sunday 12th September in your diary NOW for the BHF 3rd Great Cambridgeshire Run/Walk which takes place at the stunning Wimpole Hall and makes for a great day out too.  FitHaven will be taking out another NW team this year for the 9.5 mile Nordic Walk route (or if you prefer to run their are various options of 1/5.2/13 miles) around the grounds of this impressive Cambridgeshire estate.  We had a really great time last year, everyone completed the course and we enjoyed fizz and a picnic in the grounds afterwards too...  Click HERE for more info and to register...  Click HERE  to view photos from BHF 2009!

Nordic Walking for Parkinson’s
Nordic Walking can really improve balance and stability and makes walking feel easy for everybody and people with Parkinson’s can especially benefit form this fantastic form of exercise.  Other benefits that Nordic Walking can bring include:

• A safe, effective, and enjoyable way to reduce physical inactivity in PD and to improve the quality of life.

• Provides additional stability and balance for your joints. 

• Can reduce back pain and improve spinal mobility as well as improve your posture.  Walking actually feels easier as you are distributing your weight over four limbs. 

• Improves arm and leg movement and improves your walk 

• Suitable for any age and ability

So, as we all know suitable exercise is good for everyone and is especially important for people with Parkinson's as their muscles and joints tend to get stiff and rigid.  Exercise can also help relieve depression. Joining an exercise group or participating in a sporting activity can also offer opportunities to make new friends. Many people with Parkinson's are involved in active sports and activities so there is no reason why they should not give Nordic Walking a go - in fact it will be the best thing they ever did!

If you or you know anyone who would benefit about Poles for Parkinson's please get in touch with Neal Email: neal@fithaven.co.uk or call 01480 404670

IMPORTANT Nordic Walking Information...

What Is Nordic Walking?

Nordic Walking started as a summer training exercise for cross country skiers and now fitness walkers all over Europe have adopted Nordic Walking as a time efficient, low stress total body workout. Nordic Walking is a fun and social outdoor activity, with your friends, and being outdoors in the fresh air will give you a great sense of general wellbeing, boost energy levels and will leave you feeling invigorated!

What Are The Benefits?

• Nordic Walking is one of the most effective cardiovascular workouts because it works all major muscle groups in the body.

• Nordic Walking can relieve neck and shoulder tension while toning upper body muscles.

• Walking actually feels easier as you are distributing your weight over four limbs using the ergonomically designed poles.

• Nordic Walking reduces the effects of RSI (repetitive strain injury), can reduce back pain and improve spinal mobility as well as improve your posture.

• Nordic Walking burns on average 30—50% more calories than normal walking at the same speed, and most people find it makes walking more comfortable.

• Nordic Walking is really a total body workout because it involves 90% of all muscles while increasing your heart rate significantly .

• Nordic Walking poles provide additional stability and balance for your joints.

• Nordic Walking is safe and effective way to lose weight.

• Nordic Walking exertion is in the fat-burning zone.

• Nordic Walking reduces impact stress to your knees and lower joints and reduces heel strike force by up to 30%.

Nordic Walking Levels:
Nordic Walking falls into 3 recognisable categories and our sessions run according to these levels:-

HEALTH / BEGINNER LEVEL (Level 1). 
The majority of Nordic Walkers fall into this level. The low intensity of this type of training means it is accessible to anyone. If you are a regular social walker, simply by adding a set of poles you can increase your heart rate substantially without any great perceivable increase in effort. The reason behind this is the inclusion of the upper body muscle groups during the activity. The resulting health benefits are enormous, as not only are you utilising and toning 90% of the body's muscles but you are also increasing your overall effort in such a way that will provide long lasting benefits.  Thousands of people are experiencing the benefits Nordic Walking brings to weight management and overall fitness. You can be one of them!  You will also learn the basic nordic walking techniques on these sessions at it is important that everyone, despite your fitness level, attends this session first.  They will also help you to improve your technique so you can build up to the Fitness or Sports/Challenge levels if you wish.

FITNESS / EXPERIENCED LEVEL (Level 2).
Fitness level Nordic Walking targets the more intermediate level of fitness and is designed to train Nordic Walkers at a slightly higher intensity than the health level.  As well as the benefits experienced within the Health Level Fitness level Nordic Walkers will also experience improvement in aerobic capacity, endurance and continued weight/body fat/inch loss.  Please note: Technique training will not be given on Fitness Level walks as these are incorporated in the Health/Beginner level Nordic Walks for this very reason.  These sessions are designed for people who have had experience using the poles and help to increase fitness and stamina and endurance.

SPORTS / CHALLENGE LEVEL (Level 3).
This is the most challenging of the Nordic Walking levels and targets those athletes who wish to train within the 80% -95% Max HR zone.  It is often called the anaerobic zone and includes aspects such as interval training, fartlek, hill training, resistance training and is particularly demanding. Nordic walking is particularly useful for this kind of training as the technique utilises 90% of the body's muscles in a supported way, thus no particular muscle group is isolated or strained.

Session Essentials...

• Sessions are FUN, professional and non intimidating

• Designed for all ages and abilities to enjoy and experience

• Each session will start with a warm up, Nordic Walking technique advice and stretches

• Each session will finish with a cool down and full body stretch

• LEKI Nordic Walking poles are provided if you pre-book

What To Bring & Wear...

• LEKI Nordic Walking poles are provided if you pre-book your place.

• Feel free to bring and use your own Nordic Walking Poles if you have then, however, trekking poles are NOT suitable for this session.

• Wear suitable walking, running or approach trainers/boots.

• Wear lots of free moving light layers and bring waterproofs if the forecast is for rain.

• Denim jeans are NOT advised for this type of exercise, you will regret wearing them if you do!

• Sunglasses, caps and apply sunscreen if the weather is good.

• Wear gloves, hat and scarf if the weather cold.

• A small rucksack or backpack will be useful and bring plenty of water and a small snack too!

• Well behaved dogs are always welcome!

About Mel & Neal Thomas - Advanced Nordic Walking Instructors...

We discovered Nordic Walking over five years ago and now offer the most comprehensive Nordic Walking timetable in Cambridgeshire, if not the UK!. We have fully embraced this wonderful outdoor exercise regime in both our professional and private lives together, with Millie, our dog, and want to share our passion of Nordic Walking and the great outdoors with you. We were initially trained with LEKI Nordic Walking - Level 3 through Drummond Education in July 2007 and have just recently (Aug 2010) have passed the Nordic Walking Instructor Training with British Nordic Walking and the International Nordic Walking Federation.  We risk assess every route we run, hold full liability insurance and are trained first-aiders. There is something magical about exercising outdoors, and we are so lucky to have an amazing network of tracks and trails on our doorstep. After Nordic walking we feel recharged, re-energised and have an immense sense of well-being. You REALLY must try it!

Contact Mel or Neal about LEKI Nordic Walking on:  Tel: 01480 404670 Mobile: 07900 823553  Email: mel@fithaven.co.uk or neal@fithaven.co.uk

2009 LEKI Nordic Walking Course Fees:

Nordic Walking with LEKI Pole Hire: £6 per session or Nordic Walking without LEKI Pole Hire: £5 per session**

Nordic Walking Terms & Conditions of Regular Nordic Walking Sessions:  £6 per session including LEKI Nordic Pole hire.  Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the advertised start time to set up poles and equipment.  Session Fees are payable at the beginning of each walk on a pay-as-you-go basis.  We operate a ‘No Bad Weather - Just Bad Clothing’ policy, so be prepared to walk in all weathers. Please bring water in a back or waist pack and wear correct clothing and footwear.  Unfortunately Trekking Poles are NOT suitable for Nordic Walking.  Please advise Mel or Neal if you would like more information on purchasing your own set of LEKI Nordic Walking poles.  Thank You! ** The 'without pole hire' fee requires you to bring your own Nordic Walking Poles which have to be suitable and specific Nordic Walking Poles. Trekking poles are not suitable for this type of course as they are designed in a completely different way and will not be suitable for a session like this so unfortunately I cannot allow these poles to be used instead.  If you are unsure, please do let me know and I can offer my advice.

Past Nordic Walking Events...

Saturday 7th November 2009 - Autumn Chilli Nordic Walk - Click HERE for photos    Thursday 1st January  2009 - New Years Day Nordic Walk - Click HERE for photos    February 6th - 8th 2009 - North Norfolk Nordic Walking Weekender - Click HERE for photos     Saturday 25th April 2009 - Bluebells in Brampton Woods Nordic Walk - Click HERE for photos     Monday 4th May 2009 - May Day Nordic Walk & Picnic - Click HERE for photos