This course is ideal for

Urban Poling Nordic Walking Instructor Course

  • group exercise instructors

  • personal trainers

  • physiotherapists/occupational therapists

  • recreation/wellness directors

  • diabetes educators

  • health care professionals

  • teachers

  • walking/hiking group leaders

  • enthusiastic Nordic walkers

  • aspiring small business owners

About the course

 
 


About the Instructor





Agenda Highlights

As Canada’s leading Nordic walking manufacturer, distributor and educator, Urban Poling welcomes you to become a part of our ever-growing team of instructors. Urban Poling Inc. has proudly certified over 5,000 instructors around the world.

In fact, over the past 15+ years, we’ve certified instructors in each Canadian province and territory. In 2019 the company became international, and there are now certified Urban Poling instructors in the U.S., Australia and the U.K.

The Urban Poling Nordic Walking Instructor Course is a comprehensive course (offered both live and online) that teaches course participants the practical skills of Nordic walking and how to teach Nordic walking to others.

You will learn everything you need to know about the Urban Poling Nordic walking technique and be provided with all the materials, tools and support you require to provide one-on-one sessions, group classes and educational demonstrations.

NOTE: The majority of the course is held out-of-doors. The course is a mix of physical activity (stopping and starting as you learn the Nordic walking technique and later practise the teaching techniques, etc.) and sitting to learn from your manual, instructor demonstrations, etc.. While there is lots of Nordic walking involved, the format is not a long non-stop Nordic walk!

Barb Gormley has been director of education for Urban Poling since 2007. As a long time group exercise instructor and personal trainer, she was excited to quickly recognize the many benefits of Nordic walking and its appeal to a wide range of people.

She has been teaching Nordic walking private/semi-private/group classes and Quick-Start Clinics in Mount Pleasant Cemetery and High Park in Toronto for well over a decade. As an Urban Poling Master Trainer, she loves sharing her experiences, ideas and tips with aspiring Nordic walking instructors.

Her goal is to teach proper Nordic walking technique to as many people as possible and to have them, in turn, share their knowledge and excellent technique with others!

  • We begin by focusing on the Urban Poling Nordic walking technique. For experienced Nordic walkers, we use this time as a technique refresher. Attendees who are new to Nordic walking learn the technique.)

  • Teaching the Urban Poling Nordic walking technique (including: steps to follow, what to say, what to do, how to say it, important verbs, key phrases, how to include all learning styles, etc.)

  • Teaching techniques that help speed your participants’ learning

  • Efficiently correcting poor technique

  • Warm-ups, cool-downs, muscle conditioning exercises, ascending and descending hills…all with your poles

  • An introduction to the ACTIVATOR poles and ACTIVATOR walking technique for less-active older adults, post-surgery adults, and adults with chronic conditions affecting balance.

  • How to start a series of classes; how to start your own business

  • Partner/small group practise teaching time

  • One-on-one feedback and encouragement from your instructor

  • A short quiz that assesses your knowledge

  • ….and more!

Course includes

 
 

Continuing education credits

  • 1 pair of Urban Poling Nordic walking poles (value $99.99)

  • wholesale pricing on poles and accessories (that you can sell to your clients)

  • monthly Urban Poling Instructor newsletter

  • copy (soft cover or digital) of The Urban Poling Ultimate Guide to Nordic Walking by Barb Gormley

Continuing education credits: canfitpro (2 for course + 4 for practicum), Canadian Centre for Activity & Aging (CCAA), Ontario Fitness Council (OFC) (4), British Columbia Recreation & Parks Association (BCRPA) (4), Saskatchewan Parks & Recreation Association (SPRA) (4), Manitoba Fitness Council (MFC) (3), Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association (AFLCA) (3) Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) & YMCA/YWCA upon request.

Contact Barb