If you love the outdoors and want to get fit, Nordic walking could be for you. Ruth Addicott found out more about the benefits and potential hazards.

THEY may look a bit odd, striding up the street in their Pac-amacs with a pole in either hand, but Nordic walkers are having the last laugh.

A cross between high-altitude power walking and crosscountry skiing, Nordic walking is not only the fastestgrowing fitness activity anywhere in the world, it is attracting a growing army of followers in the North-East.

Among the converts is former dance and fitness instructor Faye Doorbar, of Richmond, who was so taken with the benefits that she is offering free taster sessions for people to see the effects for themselves.

The hour-long sessions, which involve a brisk walk around the Richmond countryside, have been so popular that there is a waiting list.

“Nordic walking has some fantastic benefits,” she said.

“It’s great for the shoulders, neck, posture and joints.

“It’s a terrific way to stay fit and you get the double health benefits of exercise and sunlight.”

It’s also an ideal alternative for anyone bored, or terrified, of the gym.

As Mrs Doorbar pointed out, walking outdoors is good for the mind as well as the body.

Although it’s suitable for all ages – Mrs Doorbar has even converted her mother, who is 77 – it is important to learn the technique in order to get the maximum benefits. “Otherwise, you’re just out for a stroll,” she said.

Nordic walking was first developed in Finland in 1997 as a summer training method for cross-country skiers.

Striding up mountains using a side-to-side rhythm burns 20 per cent more calories than normal walking, which is why it’s proved so effective for people looking to lose weight in the UK.

The idea is to get the whole body working, using the major muscles.

Trained properly, Nordic walkers can go a lot faster and further with poles than without.

As the poles propel them along, it feels easier and reduces pressure on the knees and joints, while the gentle upper body movement can help ease neck and back pain.

“It isn’t difficult, you’ve just got to learn how to use two poles with a slightly straighter arm than you would with normal walking poles,” said Mrs Doorbar.

She tried Nordic walking for the first time earlier this year and enjoyed it so much she signed up with Nordic Walking UK.

She is now one of the few specialist trainers in the country, gaining more recruits every week.

She has yet to obtain a whistle and loudhailer and uses her no-nonsense approach to keep the group in line.

There are always one or two members keen to stride off ahead, but Mrs Doorbar has ways of dealing with them.

“If people are specifically striding ahead, I give them a task to do,” she said.

“I tell them to turn around and walk to the back of the group. We can’t have people wandering off willy nilly.”

As well as keeping everyone in tow and ensuring they cross the road at the right point (all the routes are prewalked by Mrs Doorbar and her husband), there are other potential hazards to look out for, dogs being one of them.

“Dogs don’t tend to like people walking with sticks,” she said, speaking from experience.

“I tell the group to hang on to their poles and lift them straight up and hold them close to their body, so it’s not so threatening.

“We’ve had the occasional inquisitive cow. We don’t go through many fields and, when we do, we go in single file.

“It is a bit like a school trip, but a lot more enjoyable, hopefully,” she added.

“Everyone who’s been has found it a lot of fun and really energising. We all felt fantastic afterwards.”

There are only eight places on each walk, so Ms Doorbar advises people to book in advance.

If they wish, they can then sign up for a four-week training programme (£49).

“There’s no need to buy anything special, just come along in loose, comfortable clothing and trainers or lightweight walking shoes and I’ll supply the poles,” she said.

“If you love being out in the fresh air, I can think of no better way to exercise than walking in the beautiful Richmond area using the Nordic technique.”

And if you’re embarrassed about being spotted, just stick your hood up.

To find out more about the free Nordic walking sessions and four-week programme, contact Mrs Doorbar on 01748-886316 or email doorbar@swaledale.org.