Nordic Walking is not just walking with poles, it is also a fabulous way to get fit and enjoy the countryside with likeminded folk. With added bonuses of burning serious amounts of calories (500+ calories), using 90% of skeletal muscles, enjoying cardiovascular exercise with minimal joint impact and being able to chat and laugh all the way around your route, it is not surprising that Nordic Walking is one of the fastest growing activities in Europe.
Gemini Nordic Walking started in January 2012, with 7 eager people wanting to experience exercise in a non-gym outdoor format; today we have over 50 ‘Gemini Outdoor’ members, with regular attendees to all of our 4 Nordic Walking Fitness sessions each week, and both ‘hill & mountain days’. Through the “Introduction to Nordic Walking Course” which includes a ‘hill day’, we have introduced all of our new members to exercising not just in local towns, but also in the stunning countryside in which we live; from the rolling hills of the Marlborough Downs, Ridgeway and Cotswold Way; to the rugged terrain of the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia. This year we are planning to head off for overseas adventures with Nordic Walking Expeditions in the French Alps, Pyrenees and the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco.But in the meantime, we are running regular ‘hill & mountain days’, and are in-training to Nordic Walk the Cotswold Way in the next few months, as such you will us ‘pushing the poles’ on the National Trail nearly every other weekend.
Gemini Nordic Walking is part of Gemini Outdoor Adventure, we specialise in Nordic Walking, Trekking/Outdoor Pursuits and Personal Training. As the founder, Steve Ellis,I have spent a lifetime gaining valuable experience and qualifications as an International Mountain Leader, Nordic Walking Instructor and Personal Trainer; combine this with 20 years in the RAF as an Engineering Officer and 6 years as a Lecturer of Outdoor Education& Sport and you have someone who has a wealth of experience and passion for the outdoors and fitness – and not afraid to share it!
My main personal challenge this coming few months is to prepare myself to Nordic Walk the entire length of the Cotswold Way, all 102 miles in one-go. In doing so, I am hoping to raise funds for the ‘Molly Watt Trust’ thus helping those with ‘Usher Syndrome’which my nephew is a sufferer of. Hence, over the coming weeks, I will be reporting how training is progressing.
If you would like to know more about Nordic Walking or Trekking with us at Gemini Outdoor Adventure, you can view our website at http://www.geminioutdooradventure.co.uk or contact us at geminioutdoor@btinternet.com. If you would like to know more about the ‘Molly Watt Trust’, please see http://www.mollywatt.com
