About Us

Martin Christie

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.

Mike Rollason

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.

Gill Stewart

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

Nicky Taylor

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.

Claire Davies

Claire is a total body walking Instructor with WALX Dorset and heads up the Silent strides walking to music concept. She supports people to choose the right training packages and start their new groups.

Lisa Borremeo - Harlow

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 Cheek

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® Evolution Statement (Official)

Nordic Walking UK is the founding organisation that pioneered Nordic Walking in the UK.
Over more than two decades, our work helped over half a million people in the UK, plus many other countries around the World, become more active through walking-based programmes.

As understanding of health, fitness, behaviour change, and inclusive exercise evolved, so did our approach.

WALX® was created as the modern evolution of Nordic Walking.

WALX® builds on the foundations established by Nordic Walking UK and expands them into a complete, evidence-led system for Total Body Walking®, combining:
• Structured instructor training
• Health, fitness and wellbeing expertise
• Behaviour-change principles
• Patented ergonomic walking poles
• Integrated booking, management and retention systems

Today, WALX® is the active brand delivering walking-based fitness, wellbeing and instructor training across the UK, while Nordic Walking UK remains the original authority and heritage foundation behind this work.

In short:
Nordic Walking UK laid the foundations. WALX® delivers the future

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…

2008
2008
2008

A new format training course was developed and REPs (Register of Exercise Professionals) accreditation gained. A new UK Office was established in Olney near Milton Keynes and Gill and Mike returned to the UK to develop NWUK brand, systems, training and programmes.

2006
2005
2005

Following a break whilst living in the French Alps and consulting to the Fitness Industry about using outdoor programmes to increase engagement (as Sante Solutions), Gill and Mike discoverd the power of poles for cross country skiing and trekking. They met up with Martin Christie and invited him onto their…
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2000
Early millenium
Early millenium

By the millennium, Gill had moved to the Private sector where she helped Mike build up his Health Club membership prior to its sale to a large chain. Gill remained at the helm, driving customer care, building the Membership and managing the renovation until taking a National role with the…
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1990
Way back in the 1990s
Way back in the 1990s

Way back in the 1990’s Innes Kerr, Mike Rollason and Gill Stewart were key figures in the fast growing Fitness Industry. Innes began his career with DeVere fitness and Fitness for Industry whilst Mike developed a prestige Independent Health Club and outdoor activity centre in Milton Keynes. He also became…
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WORKING