Nordic Walking Newsletter

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Thursday 9th September, 2010

Welcome to FitHaven's NordicWalkingNews where you will find everything you need to know on how, where and why you should be Nordic Walking with FitHaven in our stunningly beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside! Our regular weekly sessions continue to run through the summer months on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Click HERE >> for the full FitHaven Nordic Walking Schedule... Click HERE >> to view our Summer Saturday Nordic Walking Download...

Nordic Walking News This Week...
Back into Nordic Walking action again this week with fabulous turnouts, energy and enthusiasm in ALL of our NW sessions - it was particular great to see a nice group start the *NEW* Nature Reserve Nordic Walking for Health at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve on Tuesday lunchtimes at 12pm - so come along and join Mel for this tranquil NW in this stunning setting!

Don't forget this weekend coming we have a MEGA one to look forward to with session both on Saturday and Sunday. Firstly, on Saturday 11th September the 8.30am NW for Fitness from Brampton (The Black Bull Pub) and fabulous route to get your going for the weekend followed by Neal's birthday/Our 10th anniversary celebration tea/coffee/cakes - all welcome. After that the *NEW* Induction to NW session (email Mel if you still want to join us for the next 3 weeks to learn this fabulous outdoor exercise) from Southoe Village Hall at 11am. E: mel@fithaven.co.uk to book your place NOW!

Sunday is another BIGGY and we expect to see a HUGE turnout for the BBC Cambridgeshire/British Heart Foundation's 3rd Great Cambridgeshire Walk/Run/Jog at Wimpole Hall. Mel will be doing the post race warm-ups again then Neal, Mel & Millie will be taking a 'FitHaven NW Team' out this year on a 9.5mile route around the stunning estate grounds. More details of this below and PLEASE get yourself signed up for this fabulous event. Click HERE for more info and to register...

Come & Join Mel, Neal & Millie THIS SUNDAY for the 3rd Great Cambridgeshire Run/Jog/Nordic Walk 2010...

The event is on Sunday 12th September at Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire. You will be able to sign in from 8.30am and it starts at 10am prompt. Mel will be doing the post event warm-ups again for the 3rd year running - with 'Hearty' and all the other runners, joggers and walkers and as you can see from the pictures above it is a whole lot of FUN!!! Neal, Mel and Millie will be taking out a 'FitHaven Nordic Walking Team' this year for the 9.5 mile route around the impressive Estate and it's stunning grounds and we really want it to be BIGGER and BETTER so sign up and join in and give yourself a late an early autumn challenge. Proceeds raised from this event will benefit the BBC Trustline, British Heart Foundation and the National Trust. Click HERE for more info and to register...

If you are coming then please bring along a picnic lunch (although last year there were some lovely food stalls too) and enjoy a glass of fizz and a picnic to celebrate a great morning out. Last year we had a fabulous time, the weather was perfect and everyone completed the course in great times and we enjoyed a glass of fizz and a picnic in the grounds afterwards too. Click HERE to view photos from BHF GCR/W 2009!

*NEW* to NORDIC WALKING - Join Us THIS Saturday...
If you are keen or know someone who wants to learn how to Nordic Walk with us we are starting a BRAND NEW 'Induction to Nordic Walking' session during September on Saturday mid-mornings, 11am to 12.30pm from Southoe Village Hall. These sessions are intended for those who have never walked with poles before regardless of how fit or unfit they are and it will give them the chance to learn the correct technique and experience, as well as confidence with the poles and improved fitness/pace too. We have fun whilst we learn, we progress each week so you get to see the many massive benefits walking with poles can bring you and get you out into the countryside and enjoy the fabulous scenery as we get Nordic FIT, HEALTHY & TONED! Click HERE for more details or email Mel (mel@fithaven.co.uk) to BOOK!

*COMING SOON* Autumn Fit 'n' Fun !

Are you interested in getting both yourself and your children more active during the October Half Term Break? Do you want them to try something NEW, EXCITING & FUN that that both of you can do together with other adults and children too? After the HUGE success of our 'Summer Fit 'n' Fun sessions we are really excited to bring you a slightly extended 'Autumn' version in October. So, put Wednesday 27th October, 10 to 11.30am in your diary NOW for a MEGA 'Autumn Fit 'n' Fun Session' which will take us both inside and outside for the WHOLE FAMILY to enjoy plus REFRESHMENTS & PRIZES too - Buckden Millennium Centre - Put It In Your Diary NOW!!!

Nordic Walking Weekenders 2010

Click HERE to preview our March Weekender in the Peak District. Our October NW Weekender planned for 1-3 October 2010 is now FULL - Waitlist in Operation! Nordic Walking Weekenders are a fabulous chance for you to take get away from it all for a few days, make some great Nordic Walking friends, have a lot of fun and take your Nordic Walking skills to a new place in our beautiful countryside. Click HERE for more details, sample itinerary, prices, what to expect, photos from the last Weekender, etc... Email: mel@fithaven.co.uk to reserve your place/rooms!

FitHaven NordicWalking....
We want to give EVERYONE the opportunity to try, enjoy and love Nordic Walking in our stunning open countryside here and other parts of our country with or without the snow! Come rain or shine we get out there with our poles, experience the surroundings and tackle the terrain with confidence. Whether we are on our own or part of a fabulous group we know we are getting the very BEST exercise for our entire body that could every be prescribed - fact! Effortless yet Energising, Powerful yet Peaceful, Essential yet Easy! So if you haven't tried it yet or have let your habit slip then get out with us soon - you will be so glad you did!

Want a FLAT STOMACH?!?!
Whole body resistance training, not countless sit-ups, is the best way to build core strength and a flatter tummy and Nordic Walking well and truly ticks this box! If you are not particular fond of the gym and love to be outside to get your exercise then what better way to grab your sticks and stride it out in the name of loosing belly inches and dress/clothes sizes! Whole body resistance training is the most effective training method of enhancing your abs and every time you plant your Nordic Walking poles this gives your core an enhanced abdominal contraction - much like doing a crunch - but without doing them - as countless crunches do not give you flat abs at all, they just give you a sore back. What with that and the low-intensity fat burning effect you get with being out with the poles is the perfect combination to a trimmer tummy in no time - are you in? We are! So see you out there....

Love, Mel, Neal & Millie xx
Email Mel: mel@fithaven.co.uk Email Neal: neal@fithaven.co.uk

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Nordic Walking Schedule 2010
FitHaven Nordic Walking - No need to book - Pay As You Go.
£6 per session including your pole hire.
Click HERE for the online Nordic Walking Schedule 2010!

Friday
Fri 10th Sept... 12.30pm: Health Nordic Walking, Buckden Millennium Centre (with Neal)

Saturday
Sat 11th Sept... 8.30am: Fitness/Experienced Nordic Walking, Brampton, The Black Bull Pub + Tea/Coffee/Cake (with Mel & Neal)!
Sat 11th Sept... 11am: *NEW* Induction to Nordic Walking, Southoe Village Hall (with Mel & Neal) Email mel@fithaven.co.uk

Sunday *SPECIAL NORDIC WALKING EVENT*
Sun 12th September... 9am: Great Cambridgeshire Walk/Run/Nordic Walk, Wimpole Hall, Cambs - SIGN UP & JOIN US NOW

Monday
Mon 13th September... 12.30pm: Nordic Walking for Fitness, Buckden Millennium Centre (with Mel)

Tuesday *NEW* Nature Reserve Nordic Walking for Health
Tues 14th September... 12pm: Nature Reserve Nordic Walking for Health, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton (with Mel)

Wednesday
Wed 15th September... 11am: Health Nordic Walking, Kimbolton Cricket Club this week due to Statty Fair (with Neal)
Wed 15th September... 6.45pm: Fitness/Experienced Nordic Walking Buckden Millennium Centre (with Neal)

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!

*NEW* Induction to Nordic Walking

Our BRAND NEW season of 'Induction to Nordic Walking' sessions are for those who have never Nordic Walked before, fit or not, and would like to learn the correct technique to get the maximum benefits from the poles, as well as get fitter and better at this fabulous outdoor exercise experience. We have developed a three/four week course that gives you technique experience mixed with progressive Nordic Walks so you can build up confidence with the poles as you get fitter and feel better. This is a MUST for everyone!

*September NW Induction Course*
You can still enrol onto this course if you would like to join us this Saturday 11th September to Saturday 25th September, 11am to 12.30pm, from Southoe and is £20 per person for the three week course which will include your LEKI Nordic Walking pole hire, practical and theory technique instruction, course handouts/manual, 3 NW sessions, ongoing email updates and support and a whole lot of FUN!

This is a fabulous way to get yourself back into exercise after the summer break with or without a friend or partner. It is easy, enjoyable and fun. Gets your outdoors and into our stunning countryside. Can help you to lose weight, tone up and get fit without the extra effort. Brings you a great sense of achievement and well-being. You have done something healthy and active at the weekend.

SIGN UP & Email mel@fithaven.co.uk NOW!! You will be SO GLAD you did!!!

WHY NordicWalk With Us...

We have been running public Nordic Walking sessions now for over 5 years and were NW for a year or so before that and it is very much a part of our personal lives as it is for our professional ones and we absolutely LOVE IT! Not only have we established a fabulous outdoor NW group community and have made many NW friends it has also bought us better health, fitness, body tone, weight loss, stress release, rehabilitation, general wellbeing, nature/wildlife, fabulous walking routes and stunning UK countryside. Here are some more reasons why YOU should be Nordic Walking with us...

Nordic Walking brings YOU everything from weight/body-fat/inch loss especially from around the waistline, blood pressure reduction, improvement of cardiovascular fitness, relief from muscular and mental stress and the amazing feeling called 'well-being' both during and after the session!

Nordic Walking is continually proving to bring amazing fitness/wellbeing benefits amongst our regulars already, and lots of ladies and gents are telling us their clothes are feeling a lot looser and some have dropped DRESS SIZES or TWO, and in a very short time, have toned up body, feel more energised and alive, reduced stress and tension and LOVE being outdoors whatever the weather - now who doesn't want that!?!?!

Nordic Walking is for ALL ages, with or without your partner or friends, ALL abilities, any fitness level and you can bring your doggy (if you have one) and/or your children too (just let us know)!

We would LOVE you to come and join us so please get in touch if you are interested in learning, want to get back into it if you have taken a break or have a specific fitness goal you would like to reach so we can advise which is the best session for you. We hope to see you out with the poles to bring you fitness, health, power, strength, tone, stability, pace, energy, well-being and so much more... MNM xxx

NW Dates for Your Diary

Sunday 11h September - *NEW* Induction to Nordic Walking Course starts, Southoe - 11am to 12.30pm - 3/4 week course - BOOK NOW!
Sunday 12th September - BHF 3rd Great Cambridgeshire Run/Nordic Walk - Enter to jog, run or Nordic Walk with us! ENTER HERE!
Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd October - Nordic Walking Weekender in the Peak District National Park. FULL - Waitlist in Operation!

Sunday 10th October - Special 10/10/10 Nordic Walking EVENT - TBC
Saturday 6th November - Bonfire Nordic Walking Event, Brampton, TBC
Saturday 18th December - Christmas Nordic Walk & Festive Bucks Fizz Brunch. Venue TBC!
Saturday 1st January 2011 - New Years Day Nordic Walk, Brunch and Bubbles. Venue TBC!

Nordic Walking 'THINGS' FOR SALE
LEKI Prestige Nordic Walking Poles
The Prestige is a classic of the Leki Nordic Walking range. Made from heat-treated aluminium it has the optimum balance of light-weight and strength. We use these poles in our nordic walking sessions.

PRICE: SRP: £71 OUR PRICE: £67

LEKI Instructor Nordic Walking Poles
Full size adjustable Nordic Walking poles using carbon fibre for lightness and rigidity. Features a carbon fibre lower section to reduce the effort required from the hands to precisely plant the poles when moving quickly. An update of the popular Active Carbon. We use these poles in our nordic walking sessions.

PRICE: SRP: £92.50 OUR PRICE: £85

LEKI Traveller Aluminium Nordic Walking Poles
Compact, easy to carry Aluminium Nordic Walking poles comprising of 3 sections. Ideal for Nordic Walking enthusiasts to take on holiday as they fit easily into a suitcase, holdall or rucksack..

SRP: £91.00 OUR PRICE: £81.00

LEKI Traveller Carbon Black Nordic Walking Poles
Compact Carbon Nordic Walking poles that won't weigh you down. Featuring the latest "Shark" Trigger Strap which allows this ultra light pole to swing without hindrance.

SRP £128.00 OUR PRICE £112.00

To order Nordic Walking Poles Email: neal@fithaven.co.uk (Cash or Credit Card accepted)

Montane Terra Pants (For Men and Women).
We have been wearing these trousers since we took up walking, hiking and Nordic Walking seriously about 5 years ago and this is when and where we bought our first pair up in the Lake District. We wear these trousers through every single season of the year, they are extremely versatile, lightweight, breathable, weather-proof (not waterproof), dry very quickly when they do get wet, wind-proof, fantastic move-ablility, perfect fit, comfortable, wash well, and on and on... We 100% recommend you get yourself a pair of these for Nordic Walking and any outdoor activity you may do. You can buy them online and we recommend the sites below... (Just search for Montane Terra Pants!)

Outdoor Warehouse - http://www.outdoorwarehouse.co.uk/
Outdoor Kit - http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/
Winwood Outdoor - http://www.winwood-outdoor.co.uk/index.html

Berghaus Paclite Waterproof Over Trousers
Are an ultra-light, ultra-breathable and ultra-packable pair of pants. Featherweight multi activity pants with PACLITE Micro Tape seams. Features: Waterproof, windproof and breathable, GORE-TEX Paclite Shell Micro seams for maximum breathability, 3/4 length water resistant side zips open from top and bottom for ease of use and venting, Elasticated waist, Mesh stuff sac, Specification, Fabric - GORE TEX PACLITE Helium, Weight - 185g. Also do Berhause Packlite Jackets which are excellent too – for men and women – infact anything Paclite is highly recommended for NW’ing!!! Simply Hike - http://www.simplyhike.co.uk/products/Berghaus/PaclitePants-RegularLeg.aspx

Outdoor Research Waterproof Caps & Sun Caps.
Outdoor Research provide a fantastic range of headgear, gloves, gaiters and other walking/outdoor apparel and again we 100% recommend there gear. We wear OR Drifter Caps on rainy days which are waterproof/breathable caps and they also do great sunhats and suncaps too which we also wear on the sunny hot days.

Visit http://www.wildtrak.com/ for more these are other Outdorr Research stuff to buy!

Outdoor Research Cascadia Gaiters
FitHaven 100% Recommend... We have been using these Gaiters over the past few months and they are definitely THE BEST we have used so far. Ideal for Nordic Walking especially as the weather had now turned and most of the routes are getting muddy. Gaiters save your trousers getting covered in mud, they keep your feet even drier and you do not over heat in them due to the excellent Gore-Tex fabric. They are also very easy to put on and take off and there are no 'flappy bits' or fiddly poppers that other gaiters have annoyed us with in the past.

Price from £36 to £40. Order your pair from WildTrack by clicking this link... http://www.wildtrak.com/product.asp?id=2799 or do a Google search as there are plenty of other websites selling them.

AKU Arriba Mid XCR Light Walking/Approach Shoe.
This is a good quality light weight walking boot that will keep your feet dry and comfortable when you are out and about. The Gore Tex lining will allow your feet to breath whilst at the same time letting them breathe.

Both Neal and Mel have been wearing these boots since December and really love them and are perfect for winter nordic walking. They offer extreme comfort, flexibility in movement, lightweight, good ankle support, easy to clean and a rounded heel which is perfect for the heel/toe action you need for Nordic Walking.

Outside.co.uk - http://www.outside.co.uk/cgi-bin/psProdDet.cgi/4505||~@c~@b|2865|user|1,0,0,1|2950|

Ruff Wear for Dogs On The Go...
For dogs and owners with a love for the great outdoors. This is a fabulous site for harnesses, collars, leads and other doggy stuff. Especially great for dogs on the go, like Millie, who loves wearing her fabulous Ruffwear Webmaster Harness, Hoopie Collar and Roamer Leash for Nordic Walking in which we 100% recommended as you can attach it around your waist so your hands are free to hold your poles, etc...

Visit http://www.innerwolf.co.uk/gbu0-prodshow/Ruffwear_Roamer_Leash.html to get yours!

Treat Your Feet @ In-Step In Buckden.
The New Treatment Room @ Buckden Millennium Centre.
Bev Parsons is a Foot Health Practitioner and Reflexologist (amongst a whole host of other alternative therapies) and has opened a BRAND NEW treatment room in the Buckden Millennium Centre. This is great news for us as her therapies are totally complementary to what we do and after having my foot treatment last Friday I can highly recommend what she does. No more corns, calluses, long or in-growing toe nails, verrucas or blisters - just healthy, soft and pain free feet from now on. So, after all that Nordic Walking why don't you treat your feet and get Bev to work her wonders on one of our most important parts of the body. Contact Bev on Tel No: 07765 801324 to arrange an appointment.

Quick Links
Nordic Walking Website & Schedule - http://www.fithaven.co.uk/nordic/index.html
Nordic Walking Weekender - October 2009 - http://www.fithaven.co.uk/nordic/weekender/NWweekender2.htm
Weekly Fit-Newsletter - http://www.fithaven.co.uk/newsletter/index.html
FitHaven Exercise Class Timetable - http://www.fithaven.co.uk/timetable/index.html