Free trial of Nordic Walking

A free trial of Nordic Walking will be given at a class which will start in Woy Woy on Saturday, March 14.

Woy Woy instructor Ms Bettina Lucini said the sport had many health benefits.

"In Nordic Walking the benefits are clear within the first few minutes of trying," Ms Lucini said.

"Not only does it burn calories in less time than normal walking but it provides a total body workout while reducing the load on knees and joints.

"Nordic Walking is walking with poles or cross-country skiing without the skis.

"It is a total body workout using very strong, yet lightweight flexible one-piece poles made of composite materials.

"The result is an effective, easy and fun exercise that can be enjoyed by almost everyone - any age, any athletic ability."

Ms Lucini said she offers a free trial class for new participants who would like to give Nordic Walking a go.

"We will be beginning regular classes at Lions Park in Woy Woy every Saturday at 8am from March 14," Ms Lucini said.

"Nordic Walking can be traced back to Finland in the early 1930s.

"Cross-country skiers used poles in the off-season to maintain their endurance and increase their strength for the upcoming cross-country ski season.

"In 1997, Exel, a major carbon composite manufacturer in cross-country ski poles, worked with the Finnish Health Institute and highly regarded medical organisations to introduce an easy form of activity that would encourage the Finnish population to become physically active and the International Nordic Walking Association was established.

"The goal to activate the Finnish population proved successful.

"Nordic Walking Australia was launched in September 2005 as the Australian arm of the International Nordic Walking Association.

"Since then, Nordic Walking Australia has established walking groups in all capital cities and some regional areas, including Woy Woy."

According to Nordic Walking Australia representative Mr Hans Wrang, Nordic Walking provided an excellent opportunity for those wanting to achieve a healthy lifestyle but not in a normal gym environment.

"If you already enjoy walking to keep fit, you are going to love Nordic Walking," Mr Wrang said.

"Not only is this exercise low impact, clinical tests have proven you will increase your energy expenditure by as much as 46 per cent without any extra perceived exertion.

"That's 400 calories per hour, compared with 280 calories per hour for normal walking."

For bookings and more information phone Bettina Lucini on 0404 905 703.

Press release, 17 Feb 2009 Bettina Lucini, Nordic Walking Australia