Let’s meet on June 11 to Nordic walk!

It’s June, so it’s time to swoon over Nordic walking! Come out for some Nordic walking, a fun and effective way to exercise. It’s also a great social activity because you can walk with other people and enjoy their company.

Dress for the weather and sun and bring some water. I'll bring the Nordic walking poles so you can burn calories, tone muscle, and improve overall health.

This will be a free session. For more information about Nordic walking, check out the Nordic Walking Guy blog and the Facebook page.

Are you a beginner and never Nordic walked? Don't worry. I'll take time to teach the technique so you can get started.

Instructor: Leroy Hurt, Associate Dean at The University of Alabama and a certified Nordic walking instructor

When: Saturday, June 11, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Location: Let's meet at the trailhead of Sokol Park. Directions:

·         North on Watermelon Road.

o    Right on Old Colony Road.

o    Left at the entrance to Sokol Park.

o    Park at the trailhead, an open shelter.

·         South on Watermelon Road

o    Left on Old Colony Road.

o    Left at the entrance to Sokol Park.

o    Park at the trailhead, an open shelter.

Here's a map of where we'll meet.

Sunday sounds: Try this collection if you like to be plugged in during your Nordic walk.

Popularity of Nordic walking

These statistics about Nordic walking in Germany will give you an idea of what's possible here in the US. Check out this general statistic: "In 2013, around 1.34 million people in Germany aged 14 years or older went walking, or Nordic walking, in their spare time several times a week."

Let's do the math:

• Population of Germany in 2013: 80.62 million. That means there was 1 Nordic walker for every 60 people.

• Population of US in 2013: 316.5 million. At the same rates as Germany, there would have been over 5 million Nordic walkers in the US.

How many were really in the US? One estimate I found places 2 million Nordic walkers in the US. Let's assume that's a correct estimate based on rigorous surveys. That's not too much more than Germany, which has one-fourth the population of the US. In other words, there is much to be done in spreading the word.