Retired nurse, Anna Wardle is not one to give up due to pain or discomfort but this 62 year Nordic Walker has endured 9 Orthopaedic operations including a hip replacement and a subsequent revision after a dislocation. The first Hip operation was at the age of 51 and it wasn’t until the revision when she was 59 that she was actually diagnosed with hyper-mobile joints syndrome which was possibly an underlying cause of many of her health problems.

Anna (pictured left and  centre of the header image of her group) told us that she has had 3 operations on her feet alone, plus shoulder and thumb surgery and is so grateful she discovered Nordic walking. Prior to that she found walking an absolute ‘chore’, could not cover any distance comfortably and had a constant fear of falling.

A member of the Saddleworth group, Anna uses strapless poles which she feels provide her with stability without aggravating her thumb joints. She has been walking for approx 4 years now and has been attending  3 times a week for walks of 4 – 5 miles with the occasional longer one too!

Anna told us

Anna would recommend joining a group with a qualified Instructor no matter what health issues you feel may be holding you back. Nordic walking with others is a great way to get back into exercise and manage any health condition plus it’great fun and you get to see so many beautiful places.