Nordic walking - a specific technique for walking with poles that is far more effective in burning calories and whole-body toning than walking alone - is growing rapidly in the UK and worldwide.

Here at last is a clear, simple guide to help you understand everything you need to know about Nordic walking whether you are a beginner, a more experienced Nordic walking enthusiast or a health and fitness professional.

The Complete Guide to Nordic Walking expels all the myths and simply provides advice and information on how to Nordic walk, who with, where and most importantly why. Organised into clear sections to help you to find exactly what you are looking for quickly, the guide is packed with tips, case studies, research, exercise plans and equipment advice, it is the complete manual for Nordic walkers of all levels.

The book is endorsed by Nordic Walking UK and has contributions from worldwide experts including Martin Christie (who brought Nordic walking to the UK) Tom Rutlin, Jose Manual Fernandez Molina and Fabio Moretti.

Gill Stewart is Programme Director at Nordic Walking UK. She is a qualified sports therapist, exercise referral specialist and aromatherapist and is passionate about the importance of physical activity and how to make it something we want to do. Gill has spoken on this topic at National conferences for the NHS, Women's Institute, and Age UK, and her expert opinion and work has been featured across the media in The Times, Good Housekeeping, BBC Breakfast and more. Her first book The Complete Guide to Nordic Walking was published by Bloomsbury.

Introduction: What is Nordic walking?
PART ONE GET STARTED
Chapter 1 Learning the basics
Chapter 2 Exerstrider technique
PART TWO THE BENEFITS OF NORDIC WALKING
Chapter 3 Why Nordic walk?
Chapter 4 Nordic walking for health
Chapter 5 Nordic walking for active ageing
Chapter 6 Nordic walking for weight loss
PART THREE WHAT'S NEXT?
Chapter 7 Where to walk
Chapter 8 Joining or setting up a group
PART FOUR NEED TO KNOW
Chapter 9 Equipment for Nordic walking
Chapter 10 What to wear when Nordic walking
Chapter 11 What to carry when Nordic walking
Chapter 12 Warming up and cooling down
PART FIVE IMPROVERS
Chapter 13 Advanced technique
Chapter 14 Progression
Chapter 15 Ski fitness programme
Chapter 16 Common faults and how to correct them
Chapter 17 Mindful Nordic walking
PART SIX FITNESS AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Chapter 18 Professional use of Nordic walking
Chapter 19 Research into the benefits of Nordic walking
PART SEVEN WANT TO KNOW
Chapter 20 A history and the worldwide scene
Chapter 21 Taking things further
Index