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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Nordic walking is getting a toehold in Fort Simpson and will soon be expanding into other Deh Cho communities.

Fort Simpson is one of seven communities in the territory that the NWT Recreation and Parks Association is developing Nordic walking programs in. After receiving funding the association began introducing the activity in Fort Smith, Yellowknife, Behchoko, Whati, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk in 2007, said Wendy Lahey, a training manger with the association.

Wendy Lahey, back centre, of the NWT Recreation and Parks Association, led a Nordic walking clinic in Fort Simpson on April 26 for interested participants including, from left, Hans Arnoldt, Daniele Gregoire, Hazel Isaiah and Martha Cooper. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Fort Simpson was brought on board last October when a well attended Nordic walking clinic was held in the village. The clinic taught the basics of the activity that centers around using specialized poles while walking.

Lahey visited the village on April 26 to offer a second clinic to expand on the skills from the first including strengthening exercises that can be done with the poles and modified stretches. She also discussed how to sustain the community's fledgling Nordic walking program.

Every Sunday a group of Nordic walkers sets off at 2 p.m. from the recreation centre and does a circuit around the village. Daniele Gregoire is one of the regulars.

"It's getting more popular," Gregoire said.

After participating in the October clinic Gregoire used her poles almost every day during the winter.

"A lot of people stopped me and asked me about the poles," she said.

The poles provide support on unstable walking conditions like ice and snow and they also bring exercise benefits. According to information from the association, Nordic walking uses 90 per cent of the bodies muscles compared to 50 to 60 per cent for both walking and running. It also burns approximately 400 calories per hour, which is 120 more calories than walking does.

When she started Nordic walking Gregoire said she was "amazed" by how much energy it requires and how many muscles it uses, especially in the arms.

In her role as a health promotional officer with Dehcho Health and Social Services Gregoire is helping to introduce Nordic walking to Fort Liard, Trout Lake and Nahanni Butte. Gregoire is teaching the community health representatives and workers in those communities how to Nordic walk so they in turn can run local programs.

The NWT Recreation and Parks Association is providing poles for interested walkers. Lahey brought 75 sets for Fort Simpson, 50 of which are earmarked for the surrounding communities.

The association is promoting Nordic walking because it's accessible, simple and has incredible physiological benefits, said Lahey.

"Anybody can do it," she added.