Martin bought Nordic walking to the UK in 2004 and since trained thousands of Nordic walking Instructors, physiotherapists, and clinical teams. He also runs a successful group in London and travels the world training International WALX partners.
Leisure entrepreneur with a proven track record of building health, outdoor activity and lifestyle brands & products. Mike is committed to developing sustainable concepts that encourage participation and ensure retention.
Physical activity promoter, exercise referral specialist, Author and creator of innovative programmes which change lives. Gill supports the WALX and NWUK Instructor network to develop effective walking groups in the UK and abroad
WALX HQ retail assistant – Nicky is the friendly face that greets people in the WALX HQ store, processes internet orders and ensures deliveries arrive on time. She supports Instructors with shop n drop parcels.
Part of the WALX team for over 10 years, Eve is the calm administrator that knows every system and Instructor! She supports walkers with bookings, provides advice on poles and manages orders and memberships.
Office Manager extraordinaire – Lisa is IT and Instructor support, she builds Instructor websites, manages their monthly accounts via the WALX portal, and is always at the end of the phone for them.
Edward is the WALX store Manager – with a background in competitive swimming and a career at the helm of major outdoor retailers, Edward is responsible for the promotion and distribution of the patented WALX poles and associated walking accessories.
The WALX HQ Team are passionate about promoting the physical, mental and social benefits of being active outdoors and believe that walking really is the way forward (excuse the pun!) when it comes to enjoyable but effective exercise. We brought Nordic walking into the UK and have since created a host of innovative outdoor programmes.
Having all been in the fitness industry longer than we care to admit and the founders of Nordic Walking UK, we have seen a few fads come and go and we know that nothing beats the combination of natural movement, fresh air and fun! That’s why we decided to use our expertise to create our “Health Club without walls” where professional Instructors Coaches and Guides are always on hand (or foot) to make every step count, every session enjoyable and most importantly…. affordable too!
Read our story and follow our steps…
September 22 saw yet another successful festival event on our home turf in Purbeck, Dorset. The WALX Dorset team led hundreds of walks whilst WALX HQ delivered workshops and the 16 mile challenge hike event. WALX Masters form around the UK pitched in to help make sure the event went…
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Gill Stewart reaches the final four in the BBC Radio Solent ‘Make a difference’ category. Gill was nominated because she has spent a lifetime encouraging people to be more active and WALX is the final piece in the jigsaw of her career! Gill has always championed sociable, affordable exercise delivered…
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Two of our WALX groups, organised a brilliant mini WALX festival event for 175 people in the stunning Lake District. Supported and promoted by the WALX HQ team the event included some tough mountain walks (they are qualified Mountain Leaders), lowland fell and themed walks plus some great presentations and…
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Ever conscious of how much being in nature helps those in our groups gain results and feel great, we decided to take things further by offering more skills to our WALX Masters. We partnered with Eco Therapy experts, Nature and Therapy who deliver quality Shinrin Yoku (Forest bathing) practitioner courses…
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New WALX 6 week lifestyle plan for all those looking to discover a better version of themselves by harnessing the power of walking, nature and being part of a sociable group. Delivered by caring, qualified WALX Masters, the plan offers unlimited WALX with local group for 6 weeks plus 1…
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After 12 years, our much loved but clunky old website just had to go as we strive to improve the customer experience yet again! New look Nordic walking UK, New look store and lot’s of new features for our Instructors, groups and newcomers to Nordic walking.
Against all odds, Festival 5 was held in Purbeck Dorset and it was great to see so many valued NWUK Instructors and WALX Masters plus our lovely walkers having fun at last. Although 50% smaller than previous years due to social distancing etc, we had 50 walks/workshops a day over…
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We launched our pledge to reduce our carbon footprint and protect nature because we appreciate that it provides us with the opportunity to change lives. From reducing single use plastic and minimising parcel deliveries to undertaking habitat management training so we can work with partners to make every step count…
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Having been trapped in the ‘covid classroom’, we are delighted that 50 trainee Instructors are now ready to launch in locations all over the UK (including Jersey) We have finally been able to complete assessments and get them over the starting line which is great as demand keeps growing!!
Having been launched during lockdown our Yoga WALX sessions went outdoors at last! The on line sessions will always remain available but the power of these sessions is how we blend walking with yoga and pick all the best places in which to strike a pose!
Despite being new to the Franchise world, we are delighted that the work we have done to support our new Franchisees during a very difficult first year has been recognised already . Gill our Director has been nominated for the EWiF New Woman Franchisor of the Year! Gill and the…
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To help people make career changes due to the COVID Pandemic we created an online training formula that reduced the need to travel or stay overnight. Our unique Diploma can now be achieved by attending only one practical day instead of 3. The Diploma which is the lynch pin or…
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Our response to COVID 19 was to help our Instructors keep their regular walkers fit, active and engaged. Our team sprang into action to make videos and develop a whole new video and live streaming platform – welcome to Virtual WALX!
Spring 2020 will not only be remembered for the Covid 19 lockdown. It’s also when we launched our unique Power of Poles induction course. This innovative and ground breaking way to get people moving with poles means more people will enjoy outdoor exercise for years to come
Once again our team attended the Therapy Expo at the NEC where Martin Christie did a presentation of Activator pole walking for rehabilitation in the arena. The session was really well attended and we were able to advise physios, occupational therapists and other specialists about the types of poles we…
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As NWUK groups began to transition to the new brand, the WALX HQ team attended the Franchise show at the NEC in order to begin the Franchise recruitment process. We have split the UK into territories and are looking for inspirational, motivated people to build a team that will deliver…
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During the Autumn of 2019 some of our most experienced NWUK groups began the transition to the WALX brand so they could encourage more people to come along and join them. Sam Armstrong, pictured has been with NWUK for over 10 years and in that time has built up a…
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The 2019 Purbeck Nordic Walking Festival was held in our iconic location nestled under Corfe Castle in Dorset – the 4th event we had held in Purbeck, it was 3 days of walking , talking, eating and learning with a fair bit of dancing and singing thrown in too! With…
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Following a year of consultation and two years of planning we launched our NEW BRAND……………. WALX at Countryfile Live 2019 and Ellie was one of the first to discover it! WALX is our trademark protected name that not only helps us to appeal to a wider community (no poles required!)…
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2019 started with a media frenzy as NWUK teams appeared on the One show and Julia Bradbury’s favourite Walks in the January. More opportunities for the Purple people to mingle with the stars as they helped to promote the message that outdoor exercise was fun and effective!