Why You Should Join Our Nordic Walking Group
We’ve heard many times before: Can’t I just… go for a hike? Why should I pay someone to guide me down a trail?
Sure, you can just “go for a hike,” but Nordic WalkFit (and other Urban Poling groups) offer so much more than a self-led hike ever could! Even if you’ve been active your whole life and feel confident in your abilities, we offer something. Because joining a Nordic walking group isn’t just about the physical benefits–of which there are many–but the experiential, mental, and social benefits too.
Let’s look at understanding what “paying someone to take you on a walk” can add to your experience.
Motivation
We all want to be more active and improve our fitness. Walking with us or on your own will help with that, but will you do it on your own? Or do you find yourself regularly sitting on the couch simply thinking about going for a walk? That’s where we come in.
The Desire to Show Up
By signing up for a group you are committing to your leader and your fellow walkers to show up and participate. We hesitate to use the word obligation because that makes it sound boring, and our outings are anything but! However, a little obligation never hurts when the end result is feeling great after a walk in nature! It’s an obligation of choice that aligns with your goals.
In-the-Moment Motivation
And once you’re walking with us, you might start to realize Nordic walking is a more full body workout than you thought and you’re worrying about keeping up. Or maybe it was a little harder to make it to the trail today and you could use a little extra energy. Both the leaders and your fellow walkers are sure to encourage you in those tougher moments on the trail.
Safety
Every outing with Nordic WalkFit comes with the benefit of a knowledgeable leader with experience of the area, outdoor safety, and certifications in both Nordic walking instruction and First Aid & CPR.
Warm-Ups, Cooldowns, and Technique Reminders
Every outing begins with a gentle warm-up to get the blood flowing and your muscles primed before jumping into the walk itself and is followed up by a gentle cooldown before you climb back into your car. Both of these are important additions to your walk to help avoid injury and muscle soreness. Depending on the length and challenge of your outing, you will also be treated with a mid-walk stretch and/or strength session!
Additionally, the Nordic walking technique takes weight off your joints and provides stability while also providing a great workout. Throughout your walk with Nordic WalkFit, your leader will remind you with cues to keep up with your plant, push, propel technique. Sometimes, as we walk along, we stop being as mindful of our steps, these cues from our leaders keep you on track with your fitness and safety goals.
New Trails; No Stress
Nordic WalkFit prides itself on adventure. We explore new trails, and old trails in new ways, all the time. Exploration is exciting, but when you’re on your own there can be some apprehension. Our trusted leaders know these trails like the back of their hand and have amazing skills in outdoor adventure for taking the trail less travelled.
Leaders with Outdoor and First-Aid Know How
While we avoid it at all costs, a slippy puddle here and an unstable rock there can always sneak up on us. All of our leaders are first aid certified just in case an ankle gets rolled. Some paths are more challenging than others, and that’s part of the reason we offer a variety of challenge levels with our programs: flatter, shorter trails for beginners and longer more challenging trails for advanced Nordic walkers.
Social Network
Getting out in a group isn’t just about the physical benefits but the mental and emotional ones too! By joining a group and being led on your walk, you have the opportunity to make new friends and keep up with old ones.
If you happen to be a little more on the shy side, joining a group and having an activity to focus on can help grease the wheels of social interaction. It gives you something to talk about. In college the go-to question is “What’s your major?” As we grow older it becomes, “What do you do for a living?” And while you're out on the trails it can be, “How long have you been Nordic walking?”
Additionally, the act of talking while walking has been associated with greater cognitive function, social connection in general is associated with better overall well-being, and meeting new people is always a blast.
So, Why Should You Join Nordic WalkFit?
Joining a fitness club like Nordic WalkFit is way more than just “paying to be taken on a walk.” It offers benefits to the body and mind. Joining us on regular outings allows you to meet new friends, explore new places, get a little sweaty, and enjoy the fresh air while remaining safe and motivated the whole time.
Our fitness group isn’t just a place to workout; it’s a place to connect and have fun.
Join Nordic WalkFit for
FUN. FITNESS. FRIENDS. FRESH AIR.
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