Nordic Walking

Beginners Workshops & Weekly Nordic Walks

Ayrshire, south-west Scotland

Nordic Walking is an enhanced walking technique that uses poles to work your upper body as well as your legs. It gives you a highly effective all over workout that doesn’t feel like one! Nordic Walking is a fun and social activity that can be enjoyed all year round. Here are some of the benefits:

Burn around 20% more calories compared to walking without poles.
Release tension in your neck and shoulders.
Improve your posture and gait.
Strengthen your back and abdominal muscles.
Reduce the impact on your joints.

Gillian is a certified Nordic Walking Instructor through British Nordic Walking, a member of the International Nordic Walking Federation (INWA). Operating in Ayrshire, south-west Scotland.

New to Nordic Walking?

Learn the fundamentals of Nordic Walking using the internationally recognised INWA 10-Step Teaching Method. Choose the learning option that suits you best — from a scheduled beginner course or workshop to a private session arranged around you.

Upcoming Beginners Sessions:

Fri 9 October

8.30am-12pm

‘LEARN + WALK’

Dean Park

Sat 14 November

1pm-3pm

‘LEARN’

Kay Park

Sat 5 December

1pm-3pm

‘LEARN’

Kay Park

Sun 17 January

1pm-3pm

‘LEARN’

Kay Park

Fri 22 & 29 January

9.15am-12pm both days

‘LEARN + WALK’

Dean Park

Fri 16 & 23 April

9.15am-12pm both days

‘LEARN + WALK’

Dean Park

LEARN + WALK

(Fridays)

This beginners course is designed to ease you into Nordic Fridays (a weekly Nordic walking group). You’ll start by learning the complete Nordic walking technique before joining the group walk at 10.30am, giving you the chance to practise your technique and get to know the members.

Dean Castle Country Park, Kilmarnock

£35

LEARN

One-Off Workshop

A beginners workshop at which you’ll learn the complete Nordic Walking technique in one focused 2-hour session. Ideal if you aren’t intending to join the regular weekly Nordic walk or need a weekend date.

Kay Park, Kilmarnock

£35

NEED SOMETHING MORE FLEXIBLE?

The scheduled workshops don’t work for you? Or would you prefer to learn with individual coaching or your own group?

Private Nordic Walking sessions are also available.

These can be arranged at a time that suits you / your group and can take place outside Kilmarnock too, subject to a possible travel and preparation supplement.

Private Session: One-to-one or two people

Ideal if you’d like a more personal approach, have particular health or mobility considerations you’d like taken into account, or simply can’t make any of my scheduled dates.

Up to 90 minutes
£55 for one person
£100 for two people

You can learn on your own, or bring a friend, partner or family member.

Private Group Workshop

Bring your friends, family, walking group, colleagues or workplace together for a private beginners workshop.

2 hours
Up to 8 people
£250 per group

To enquire about a private session email me at [email protected]

What will I learn?

Benefits of Nordic Walking
Understanding the poles (and how they differ from hiking poles)
Posture and coordination
Propulsion and full-body engagement
Adapting technique for hills
How to increase intensity safely

You’ll learn through demonstration, coaching, group practice and fun drills designed to build confidence quickly.

By the end, you’ll be ready to join a group or walk independently.

Both beginner options cover exactly the same content. The only difference is how that learning is delivered.

Nordic Fridays

Your weekly Nordic Walking group

Already know the basics? Nordic Fridays is for you. Complete beginners should start with one of our Learn to Nordic Walk options above.

Friendly, social Nordic Walking sessions at Dean Castle Country Park, with a warm-up, walk, technique coaching and stretch to finish. The route and activities can be adapted to different fitness levels, so you don’t need to be super-fit or have perfect technique.