Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nordic walking?
Nordic walking is a low-impact full body form of exercise that enhances the effectiveness of regular walking by adding poles with a bilateral stride technique. Through the plant, push, propel technique, Nordic walking helps to improve balance stability, posture, and overall fitness strength all while promoting healthy aging and injury prevention. Nordic walking is also known as "urban poling" or "walking with poles".
What is Nordic WalkFit?
Nordic WalkFit is an outdoor fitness community focused on walking and wellness (snowshoeing in Winter) that serves West Ottawa communities ( Kanata, Stittsville, Carp, Nepean, Barrhaven, and Manotick).
Our goal is to encourage a healthy social club atmosphere, all while promoting an active lifestyle, or as we like to say: Fun, Fitness, Friends, and Fresh air!
Our mission at Nordic WalkFit is to encourage, motivate and inspire!
We thrive on the joy of meeting new people and leading them to experience and learn the full range of physical and mental benefits of Nordic walking, hiking and snowshoeing.
So join us in the fun of improving fitness, making friends and enjoying the fresh air!
Is Nordic walking right for me?
The short answer is YES, Nordic walking is for nearly everyone of all ages and fitness levels. The nordic walking technique offers improved balance, posture and proper walking technique for beginner exercisers, and adds great cardio strength building, resistance and stride lengthening for more advanced exercisers. So many ways to incorporate poles into your fitness routine with safe methods for increasing exercise intensity, without impacting your joints, making nordic walking a great option for overall physical fitness growth. Did you know nordic walking engages 90% of your muscles and burns up to 40% more energy than walking without poles?! It's a safe and fantastic full body fat burning workout!!
You can see class level descriptions here.
How do I learn how to Nordic walk?
Nordic WalkFit offers group Nordic walking clinics a few times a year (usually in early spring and early autumn). We also offer private lessons, if you prefer, or are unavailable to attend our scheduled public clinics. Our Certified Instructors and Leaders are always available to help our newly registered club members with a quick review of the proper nordic walking technique before and during while we're out on group walks. Just be sure to introduce yourself and let our leaders know that you're new to learning the nordic walking technique and would like some guidance.
Where do Nordic WalkFit classes happen?
We offer daily Nordic walking group outings across West Ottawa primarily in Stittsville, Kanata, Nepean, Carp, Barrhaven and Manotick. Our walks and meet up locations change every week. Once you register with the Club and e-transfer your membership fee payment, you will receive confirmation and will begin receiving via email our weekly schedule (issued every Sunday) where walks will take place for the new week.
What should I wear while Nordic walking?
First and foremost, you need to wear breathable sweat wicking well-fitting activewear and fitness shoes with good tread. We do not recommend anything open toed, sandals, or without the ability to tighten with laces. As for clothing, think light layers! One base layer, a warm mid-layer (fleece or wool for winter, spring or fall) and a rain & wind resistant outer light jacket. We recommend clothing that is light and moves with you. No cotton or heavy bulky coats! And please dress for the weather! Only severe weather will stop us from walking so be ready for temperature and precipitation with good layers.
Where can I buy my poles?
Nordic WalkFit is an approved Partner & Certified Trainers with the Urban Poling Company. We sell their ergonomic and physiotherapist designed nordic walking poles. Save on taxes and delivery fees by purchasing your poles through us. We carry the best quality poles for Nordic walking as not all walking poles are made the same, nor designed for maximizing the effective plant, push propel technique of nordic walking.
I can't make the day I signed up for, can I attend another class?
Yes! We want you to be able to hit your fitness goals and we understand life happens and can change up our routines and schedules. All we ask is that you reach out to us and let us know about the change so we can ensure we have enough leaders to accommodate the group's size on the day you plan to attend instead.
You can do this by sending Nadine a text at 613-867-2744 or by emailing Nadine directly.
If I sign up for a beginner class, can I change to an intermediate or advanced class later on?
Yes! We encourage it. We’re happy to see you making progress on your physical fitness journey, and likewise taking care of yourself during an injury if you need to return to beginner level walks. We only ask that you let us know beforehand so we can ensure we have an appropriate number of leaders to accommodate the group’s size on any given walk day.
When do my classes expire?
All classes expire at the end of the calendar year. This includes the 10 and 20 class points and the unlimited three and four season membership passes.
How will I know when I’ve run out of classes?
When you are close to your final class, Nadine will be sure to inform you via email (and likely when she sees you in person!) when you will need to buy more classes if you wish to continue being active with the Club in the current calendar year.
Can I join and pay as I go?
Unfortunately, for safety reasons, we do not offer a "pay as you go" payment option for season memberships. We need to have a good understanding of how many walkers we will have on any given outing to schedule the appropriate number of leaders for safe group sizes. That said, if you've learnt about us late in the Fall season (or after our Fall season has started) - connect with Nadine and she can pro-rate a custom class package for you for the remainder of the season.