Weekly Classes

• Level 1 (moderate pace…60 min.) is easy-paced with some stops and starts along the way. It is designed for people with little or no Nordic walking experience. No need to attend a Quick-Start Clinic or Private Lesson before joining. Occasionally a participant will switch to the the faster-paced Level 2 class after a few Level 1 classes.

• Level 2 (moderate to fast pace…60-75 min.) New participants: This is a mostly-moving class with occasional very quick stops for balance and strength exercises. Please attend a Quick-Start Clinic or Private Lesson before joining.

• Adventure (75 min.) This is the most challenging class, thanks mostly to the High Park terrain. We explore the park’s beautiful trails, long staircases, sometimes-steep hills, and beautiful meadows. A different route each week. New participants: Please contact me before registering. To participate in this class you must be an experienced Nordic walker and/or have taken a Quick-Start Clinic (see below). See this Blog post for more details.

• Gentle Beginners (45 min.) is ideal for people who have been inactive and/or have health concerns. No need to attend a Quick-Start Clinic or Private Lesson before joining. Classes are small, slower-paced and low-key. No hills, and several stops and starts along the way. Benches are often nearby for resting. Seated or standing stretches are always included. Physiotherapists frequently refer their inactive, older and/or post-physio clients to this class. Note: no washrooms close by.

LOCATIONS:

• Mount Pleasant Cemetery offers quiet, almost-car-free walking on smooth asphalt roads with beautiful scenery and a few hills. Lots of free parking, and TTC accessible. Washrooms not always easily accessible.

• High Park offers quiet car-free walking with beautiful scenery, long hills, steep staircases, winding trails through woods, and dogs! Lots of free parking before 9:00am; TTC accessible. Washrooms available. This location offers challenging terrain and trails that can sometimes be a bit mucky or dusty depending on the weather.

SPECIFIC MEETING LOCATIONS:

• Check this link.

1) RAIN POLICY:

• We walk in almost all weather conditions. If it’s just drizzling rain, grab a hat and rain jacket! However, we never walk in pelting rain or thunderstorms or if the roads/sidewalks/trails are puddle-filled and/or slippery. I email one hour before the class start time if the class is cancelled and rescheduled…otherwise the class is on!

2) WINTER WEATHER POLICY:

• We walk in almost all weather conditions. but never in slippery or icy conditions. Layers of clothes, a warm hat/headband and very warm mitts are vital. (See my Blog for more-specific information.) When it gets very cold, we add additional and warmer layers. (The night before a class I sometimes email a photo of what I’ll be wearing the next day.) The body warms up quickly when Nordic walking, so the tricky part is to not overdress; you should feel slightly chilly at the start of the class. When the temperature drops extremely low and there is a cold weather alert, outdoor exercise is no fun for anyone. In this case, I cancel the class and add one more to the end of the series. I email one hour before the class start time if the class is cancelled and rescheduled…otherwise the class is on!

ALL ABOUT POLES:

• I loan and sell Urban Poling brand Nordic walking poles for classes. I prefer Urban Poling equipment (with their safe and easy-to-use strapless handles). I travel with a car full of poles...so no need to request to borrow a pair when you register.

• I always travel with poles that you can purchase. I usually invoice people after the class. Or bring your cheque book or cash with you if you prefer.

• If you have your own Nordic walking poles, whichever brand or style they may be, of course bring them along and I'll do my best to help you sort them out! (Are you sure they're Nordic walking poles and not hiking/trekking poles? Read on.)

MORE ABOUT POLES:

• There are many styles and qualities of Nordic walking poles.
  
  Some people I meet are disappointed to learn that they’ve purchased trekking/hiking poles, not Nordic walking poles. (Some quick indicators: Nordic walking poles have Right and Left handles, strapless handles or glove-style handles that fit tightly, and angled--not round--rubber boot tips. Hiking/trekking poles have simple loose loop-style straps on the handles.)
  
  Other people discover that that their poles are poor quality (e.g., they rattle with each pole plant, they're difficult to adjust, locking system doesn’t hold so poles shrink while walking, boot tips are very small or hard plastic versus bouncy rubber, straps are cumbersome, etc.). 

• If you haven't already purchased a pair, I suggest learning about poles by borrowing from me (or a friend) first. (I travel with a car full of poles, so no need to make special arrangements to borrow from me.) Then make an informed decision when you’re ready to buy. Visit my Shop page (or the Urban Poling website) for details about the equipment I recommend and sell at my classes.

• For more about the importance of using the right equipment and proper technique, read “Would You Play Tennis with a Badminton Racquet?” and “Are You Really Nordic Walking….Or Just Walking with Poles?” and “21 Things You May Not Know About Nordic Walking,” which are all on my Blog page.