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Group Walks (West London)
Join us for a guided walk through nature - with a nice group of people. There are different levels of walks - see below. What you can expect on a walk:
Before you join our walks you need to take our Foundation Course (or a similar tuition course of the British Nordic Walking Association). This ensures that you use your poles in the right way and can turn your walk into a full body workout. It also prevents you from building bad habits or damaging your joints. |
Description of our walks: Something for everybody
Gentle Walks - 1 hour, Brent Valley (Hanwell, Greenford)
Sign up: Please sign up for each Gentle walk. Meeting point: Brent Valley Golf Course parking (click for map) Costs: £10 with pole hire, £8 with your own poles. There is a discount scheme if you pay in advance (buy 5 walks, get one free). |
These are relaxing walks at a moderate speed, which still improve your fitness and agility. We try to keep to the drier paths and avoid the muddy fields as much as possible.
In the warm-up and cool-down phase, we will do some exercises that help with flexibility and strength. You also receive some ideas on how to improve your walking technique, but there are no speed-drills. Target group: Ideal for you if you would like to relax and enjoy nature and the company of others on your walk, build up your fitness level and technique, overcome health issues or bring your baby along (rucksack-carriers only). Prerequisites: You have to be able to walk safely, without the risk of falling over, and you have to be able to swing your arms. We recommend that you complete our Foundation course before you join these walks, but you can come on a few walks before taking the course. |
Active Walks - 1 hour, Brent Valley (Hanwell, Greenford)
Sign up: No need to sign up for Active walk. If you have done the Foundation course; just join in (check dates first, these are not always weekly!) Meeting point: Brent Valley Golf Course parking (click for map) Costs: £10 with pole hire, £8 with your own poles. There is a discount scheme if you pay in advance (buy 5 walks, get one free). |
Faster walks and longer routes than the Gentle Walk, and we sometimes walk on muddy, challenging ground. Still lots of fun: Spend some time outdoors and get fit in an interesting and sociable way. We will choose the route/distance to cater for different ability levels in the group and add some extra loops or challenges for more advanced walkers. We also do some technical drills and participants may receive some individualised feedback if they are interested in technical improvement.
Target group: These walks are for people who have a fitness interest and enjoy a mix of fast-paced walking and more leisurely walking. Prerequisites: Foundation course is required. You must be able to join our warm-up and cool-down exercises and walk at a good, steady speed for one hour (without a break), sometimes on uneven, rough and slippery ground. If in doubt, please talk to us about your skill and fitness level. |
Dynamic Walks - 1.5 hours, Horsenden Hill (Perivale)
Sign up: Please sign up for each Horsenden Hill Walk. These are only happening 2-3 times a month; make sure to check dates or join our Whatsapp group. Meeting point: Horsenden Farm Parking, Perivale (click for map) Costs: £10 with own poles, £12 with pole hire. For the moment, there is no discount scheme. |
These walks are faster paced than the Active walks and contain some uphill/downhill walking. There will be some speed and agility drills. As with all of our walks; the goal is to have fun and enjoy nature, but we also intend to achieve an intense whole body workout.
On each of these walks, we will go up to the top of Horsenden Hill (82m) once or twice, and then do some dynamic speed walking in the flatter parts. Target group: People who use their Nordic Walking as a workout and want to gain fast results. Ideal to build up for the skiing season or supplement gym work. You may not be able to have a leisurely chat on these walks, but there is plenty of time to socialise before/after in the lovely Horsenden Farm area... Prerequisites: Foundation course is required, as well as good fitness and solid, safe Nordic walking technique. You must be able to hold a fast speed and go uphill/downhill on slippery slopes. You need to feel safe on steep, rough paths to join these walks. lf in doubt, please talk to us about your skill and fitness level. |
Schedule and Dates
Please sign up before you come on a walk - the walks are not guaranteed if we don't hear from you.
Email: vitalityleap@gmail.com, phone/text: 07766 464623, or join our Whatsapp group.
Further dates will be scheduled soon.
Further dates will be scheduled soon.
TuesdaysNext Dates:
9.30-10.30am: Active Walk
Meet Golf Club Parking (Brent Valley) 11.00-12pm: Gentle Walk Meet Golf Club Parking (Brent Valley) |
SaturdaysNext Dates:
Horsenden Hill Walk (1.5 hours, Dynamic walk)
Start times see above Meet Horsenden Farm Park, Perivale |
Sundays
Next Dates:
March: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 April: 12, 19, 26 10.00-11.00am: Active Walk
Meet Golf Club Parking (Brent Valley) 11.30-12.30 Gentle Walk Meet Golf Club Parking (Brent Valley) |
More Information (click for maps)
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Medical readiness for Nordic walking:
Nordic walking has many health benefits and is appropriate for most people. As a minimal requirement for joining our walks and courses, you have to be able to walk safely, with no risk of falling over. And you have to be able to swing your arms. Before joining, you will have to fill in a 'Physical activity readiness questionnaire', which contains some medical questions. If you have any doubts about your medical readiness to join Nordic walking, please talk to your GP first. Location: Brent Valley, Hanwell, and Horsenden Hill, Perivale: Maps are here.
Equipment:
Children: Many children enjoy Nordic walking from the age of about 10. We do not offer special children's courses, but interested kids with an adult guardian may join our regular walks/courses (half price to the age of 16). If you join with children, you have to sign up for every walk, so that we can get appropriate poles ready, and sign a parental consent form. For our Gentle and Mini walks, you may bring a baby in an appropriate carrier/rucksack (you have to be able to swing your arms). Dogs: No dogs allowed on our walks/courses (we love dogs, but there are just too many dog walkers on our suburban trails; it would be too distracting to keep your eye on your dog). More info/directions:
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Fine-tuning your technique while walking
On our walks, you will receive feedback to improve your technique (if you like). Here are some examples of some 'best mistakes'. Thank you, Caroline, for helping us demonstrate (she would not make these mistakes, of course...) !
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Andrea is a certified Nordic Walking instructor and walk leader.
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