Reviews

I am finding Gary's enthusiasm and patience in teaching me nordic walking really helpful - and am looking forward to all the benefits of mastering the technique!

Three of us signed up to a Nordic Walking Workshop with Gary to celebrate a birthday. We didn't know what to expect but Gary was thorough in teaching us how to warm up, and then onto the 10 steps needed to Nordic walk effectively, explaining, demonstrating and then watching our technique closely. We have come away enthused and keen to get started.

I was looking for a new year challenge and found Gary's Nordic Walking Course. What a fabulous find! Gary was very accommodating with our dates and communication was great. He was thorough with all aspects of the course, checking our safety, our understanding and our technique. He provided us with equipment for the course but went that bit further by researching best price equipment that met our needs and sizings once course completed. He was easy to talk to, approachable, friendly and ensured we always had a start and end at a fabulous cafe !

I am really enjoying Nordic walking! It's great to be able to switch off from work and really enjoy the outdoors alongside friends! I've lived in the Cotswolds all my life and thought I knew the area but Gary has taken us to such lovely places each week finding new & different walks. He is a great 'find' and I can thoroughly recommend Nordic walking for all round exercise and fun!

Nordic walking with Gary is great fun and I always return home feeling exercised and rejuvenated. I've lived in the area for decades but all the routes we've covered have been completely new to me and are always in beautiful locations. Gary is highly professional and takes great care to take into account everyone's varying abilities or physical limitations. I can highly recommend!

We were delighted to welcome Gary Owen, the Director of Inspire First Training. He has subsequently invested himself in designing programmes to support the training of both physical and mental first aid, alongside diverse experience of leading expeditions in the Algonquin National Park, traversing volcanoes in Tongariro National Park, and mountain biking the Slickrock trail in Moab, Gary brilliantly supported our focus on Mental Health Awareness week. He spoke with wonderful enthusiasm and energy about the beautiful simplicity of 'walking-and-talking' in introducing us to the benefits that this can bring to both our physical and mental health. Through his demonstration of Nordic-walking (and the all- important walking poles!), we learnt about how we can all walk with increased purpose, in ways that will simultaneously develop our core bodily muscles and our emotional wellbeing. With Gary's support and expertise, we are keen to establish a Nordic-walking club through our lunchtime Extend programme and students are very much encouraged to be part of this unique offer!

I joined Gary Owens friendly Nordic Walking workshop in January. I found him to be a very professional experienced teacher. He's fun but very aware of each person's abilities. It has improved my core fitness and stamina enormously. We now go for exciting guided hikes, exploring the beautiful Cotswold foot paths. I highly recommend Gary and Nordic Walking as a sport.

Can 't fault Gary 's Nordic walks. Cheerful, knowledgeable and supportive and all set in the beautiful Cotswolds. Really great. I 'll be back! 😀

Attended a session with Gary a few weeks ago. I 've now been out Nordic walking on my own and stride with pride. I can now walk up a hill, which I previously had to stop before I reached the top. Gary 's little phrases to remind you of the techniques pop into my head and I can immediately feel my technique improve. Cannot recommend Gary 's course highly enough and the coffee shop at Fire and Flow was also amazing.

I am enjoying learning to Nordic walk. Gary is encouraging and helpful to achieve the correct technique. He makes it fun

I learned a lot and Gary inspired me to want to give this a proper go. Gary 's enthusiasm is infectious and it 's given me the confidence that I can do this. The poles are already ordered!

Trickier than it looks but great encouragement helped. Thanks an eye opening 2 hours Gary.

A fabulous afternoon spent with Gary at the delightful Organic Farm learning the 10 Step Technique to Nordic walking. Gary made the session fun, was extremely well prepared and ensured that the tuition was accessible for all participants and appropriately structured. For anyone wishing to take up Nordic walking, Gary’s session for beginners is a must.

Before starting Nordic walking, I often struggled with freezing in my legs. Since I began, my gait has improved, the freezing has reduced, and my energy levels have lifted. I can walk further now, and I feel much more confident with my balance. Nordic walking has really made a difference for me. A big thank you to Gary, my British Nordic. Walking instructor who I met when I signed up for Nordic walking at the Neuro Wellbeing Centre in Swindon. His enthusiasm and support have been amazing. He tailored the training to my needs, and his sessions are always fun and sociable. Gary even lent me a set of Nordic walking poles and kindly met me near my home to take me on a local walk, carefully risk-assessing the route. If you have Parkinson’s, I can totally recommend Gary’s sessions, they’ve made a real difference for me.

I signed up to a Nordic walking session, as I found that when walking I was definitely facing the ground rather than seeing the view ahead. Gary put one right on how to walk upright and to move with greater ease and pleasure. The difference was fantastic and his ability to make the task easier and fun, was done with skill and encouragement! Thank you Gary.