WALX VerValley is an outdoor exercise club with Nordic walking at its heart. Based in St Albans we deliver a varied programme of Nordic and Explorer WALX alongside the Total Body WALX workouts and the more gentle intensity Wellness and Yoga WALX. We want to offer something to suit everyone, of all ages, and for all abilities, whether its personal weight loss or fitness goals, we are here to help you achieve those goals. At WALX Ver Valley we share our love of the outdoors to create a fun walking group who are passionate about being active and who enjoy exploring new pathways around the beautiful St. Albans and Hertfordshire countryside.
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Take a peek at what you might get up to on one of our Walx
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Photography WALX Given the relentless rainy weather, we can expect an abundance of vibrant growth this spring. On our March walks, we’ll focus on the many shades of lush green that will be emerging around us. Using photographic techniques such as backlighting, strong diagonals, creative use of shadows, and low viewpoints, we’ll explore how to
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In early June, seven of us from WALX Ver Valley St Albans visited Julie and her team in Bassano Del Grappa. Little did we know what awaited us, but we soon found out – beautiful scenery, great walks, friendly hosts, and good food. On our first day we walked along the River Brenta, into Bassano […]
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What a brilliant weekend spent by the group on the Norfolk coast at Winterton-On-Sea for a short break with plenty of Nordic walking. A sunny Saturday for a visit to the Horsey seal colony and a slap up lunch at the Poppylands Tea Rooms, reminiscent of the 1940’s with a collection of artefacts from […]
Role: WALX Master
After surgery for breast cancer in 2012, I was looking to find an exercise that didn’t involve the gym and came across Nordic walking and I was hooked from the out set. Straight away I could feel the positive effect that Nordic walking has, not only on the body, but on my mental wellbeing as well. I became stronger and more confident. It is incredibly therapeutic walking in a group, making new friends whilst enjoying being out in the lovely countryside, and exploring previously unknown routes. In 2016 I trained to become a Nordic walking Instructor and enrolled in a Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy course, finishing the graduates coaching. I now enjoy delivering a varied WALX Programme around St Albans. As an Instructor I hope to bring the same love of Nordic walking and exercising outdoors to others. It is a fantastic way to help lead a healthy, active, and happy life.
Role: WALX Guide
“Trudy will be leading some of our regular Nordic WALX during the week and providing cover. Originating from rural Ireland, I was always surrounded by beautiful scenery on the Donegal coast where I grew up. I have always loved the great outdoors and loved our coastal walks at home. Coming to Hertfordshire and taking semi retirement allowed me to find a new local venture to satisfy my love of the great outdoors. Since joining the local Nordic walking group I have experienced and developed an appreciation of the local environment and scenery that StAlbans area has to offer, right here on our doorstep. Becoming a walk leader I have made lots of new wonderful friends and together we strive to explore new areas while facing the challenge of keeping fit and healthy what ever the weather.
Role: Photographer
Maria is our resident photographer and Nordic Walker. She takes the monthly Photography WALX I can never remember a time when I didn’t have a camera in my hand. I fell in love with photography as a child – my first camera was a hand-me-down from my father when I was 9. I took photos throughout my childhood and teens and worked at a studio in London when I left school. My main passion those days though was news photography. Luckily, I found work with a local newspaper then an evening paper before I set up my own business focusing on news and marketing. When I had children my career took a different turn and I retrained as a teacher, but the pull of photography never left me so I continued as a hobby photographer with an interest in landscapes and cityscapes. Now I am retired I continue to be inspired by what is around me. It does not matter what you use to capture an image whether a DSLR or a camera on your phone, there is always magic to be made!
Role: WALX Guide
I took up Nordic Walking a year ago and have recently come to recognise the mental benefits that have helped me to cope with bereavement after my husband died. The social interaction with other walkers has contributed to my improved emotional well-being and adjustment to a new life. I look forward to my Nordic walk sessions, not just for the physical benefits, but also for the mental well-being benefits. There’s nothing like fresh air, exercise and good company on a Nordic walk to lift your mood and set you up for the day ahead. Thank you Ver Valley Nordic walkers for helping me cope with my grief and move on with life.
Role: WALX Coach
I have always enjoyed being outdoors. I have been a Girl Guide Leader for many years, organising camping and narrowboat holidays where I shared my love of the outdoors with the girls. I decided to try Nordic Walking after seeing an advert in my local paper and thought that it might be the right exercise for me as I hate the gym. That was over 7 years ago so I think that I made the right choice. I have progressed from a Walk Leader to an Instructor. I enjoy the social interaction with the other walkers and helping them to develop their fitness both physically and mentally, while enjoying the countryside in the St Albans area.
Role: WALX Giude
I have always preferred to exercise outdoors where you can appreciate the seasons, wildlife and beautiful countryside on our doorstep. So when I discovered Nordic walking in 2016 I knew I had found something special. Having grown up in the local area I thought I knew all there was to know about St Albans and its environs but I have since discovered many new beautiful walking routes in our countryside and through the city itself. Added to that, using Nordic poles with the correct technique has had such a positive effect on my fitness, stamina, core strength, posture and balance. I cannot imagine life without it now! Aside from the fitness benefits, walking regularly with the very sociable Walx Ver Valley group has opened up many friendships and opportunities, including walking trips in other parts of the country and local history walks. Having retired at the end of 2021, I have now decided to become a walk leader so that I can use some of my free time to support our instructors and other leaders.
I joined WALX in order to develop a regular exercise routine following surgery for breast cancer. The walks have been enjoying and are suitable for all abilities. The group was welcoming and supportive of me as a beginner. I found the exercises offered in addition to the walking very helpful to increase mobility and fitness and improve balance. Highly recommend !
I discovered Nordic Walking just after the Covid lockdown (2020) as something that I and my wife could do together and get some freah air and exercise, especially as I work from home full time. We thought we would do it for six months and then go back to other activities but we have found the group run by Sharon so welcoming and friendly that its has become a major part of our lives and even missing it for a week leaves us mssing something very important for that week. Apart from the physical improvement I have experience doing Nordic walking, the biggest gain in my opinion is the social aspects the group has provide especially the special walks held from time to time and the trips away including Norfolk and Italy and I look forward to many more. As I continue Nordic walking, I've made several good friends and I hope to continue to do so for as long as possible with this group.
ManojTaking up nordic walking with Walx Ver Valley after suffering from spinal compression fractures has been of significant benefit to me. It has improved my posture, stamina and well being, as well as my confidence. I was concerned that I would not be physically up to doing it but Sharon’s patient and supportive teaching has enabled me to progress. The group’s leaders and other members have also been very welcoming and supportive.
In December I realised I had stopped walking as much as I used to due to unforeseen circumstances and decided to look for something to remedy this. A friend recommended Nordic walking and I searched on-line to find out what was involved and where to do this. I found the WALX site and booked a 90-minute Power of Poles Induction session. I met Sharon, the instructor, at our local park and had an excellent one-to-one session. During this time, I had the opportunity to try out two types of poles to see which I preferred, and I learnt how to hold the poles and use them correctly while walking. We walked on the flat, as well as looking at how to adapt technique when going up and down slopes. At the end of the session, I felt tired but energised and had enjoyed the activity. I was using my arms more to walk, was walking faster than normal and with better posture. What have I done since this induction session? I registered with WALX and have done several walks, visiting areas surrounding St Albans that I have heard of but never visited. I am pleased that I gave Nordic walking a try and have taken my new poles with me when visiting family so that I could do more walking when away from home. Will I continue – yes; would I recommend this to others - yes. It is worth giving the Power of Poles Induction session a try to see if this would be an activity to pursue.
When I retired 5 years ago I was looking for ways to ensure I could get regular outdoor exercise and hopefully with a social element as well.When I saw an advert for the Nordic Walking group at Westminster Lodge it seemed like it might fit the bill. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the initial sessions to learn the correct technique and signed up for regular classes immediately. All the people I have met have been very friendly and I always look forward to the walks. There are a wide variety of sessions and locations and they have taken me out to parts of the countryside I hadn’t previously explored.Nordic Walking has been an excellent way to keep fit even with the Covid restrictions as we are always outside and can keep 2m apart. Even in the middle of a global pandemic I managed 34 walks in 2021 between lockdowns.