'Fit as a Fiddle' Nordic Walking

"It was a brilliant session, great fun and it really felt like you were getting a full workout, it's definitely something I'd like to do again."

Nordic Walking:

•·        Is a beneficial and enjoyable way to keep fit

•·        Is easy to learn

•·        Provides a gentle range of movement that encourages general mobility for health improvement

•·        Can be more vigorous for fitness development

•·        Can be done anywhere including a local park, recreation ground or a public footpath

•·        Does not require special clothing

•·        Is a social activity where participants can ‘Nordic Walk and talk'

•·        It combines exercise with nature, which has been proven to boost moods

The changes we want to bring about are:

•·        To provide something different and enjoyable for older people

•·        To promote a relatively safe outdoor activity that is widely accessible

•·        To provide health benefits to participants including:

•o       Toning the upper and lower body at the same time

•o       Good for the heart and lungs

•o       Increased endurance

•o       Burning more calories than ordinary walking

•o       Reducing the pressure on knees and joints

"fit as a fiddle" works with Nordic UK trained instructors to offer Taster Sessions across Surrey and Hampshire.  At the Taster Sessions, people are recruited to attend an active network, 8 sessions of Nordic Walking instruction for 12 people with one instructor.  Tuition and the use of poles are provided free of charge.  Once the sessions are completed, participants will be directed to the Nordic Walking programme of regular walks led by trained volunteers. 

Nordic Walking is one of the most complete forms of exercise you can do, it's outdoors, sociable and fun.

•·        By Christmas 2008, there will be 70 people Nordic Walk trained

•·        From the 70 trained people, it is hoped to recruit 20 people as walk leader trainees

•·        3 successful Taster Sessions were held

•·        6 active networks were held

All participants complete a health form and a monitoring form at the start of the sessions and an evaluation form at the final session. 

Healthy lifestyles, greater fitness and fun for the over 50s. 

Long-Term Sustainability:

"fit as a fiddle" is recruiting and training volunteer walk leaders to lead a regular programme of Nordic Walks for older people.  Once people complete an active network, they will continue to Nordic Walk with this new programme of walks.