Nordic Walking

Nordic Walkers
Nordic Walkers at Newbegin Gym

Gray is home to a popular group of Nordic walkers led by the town’s resident “Woman Who Walks,” a.k.a Mary Sweeney Underwood. Mary started the Nordic Walking Group in 2020 and since she first gathered a small group of walkers to reap the benefits of Nordic walking, more than 100 people have congregated to share a walking experience.  

Nordic walking involves walking with two poles, the use of which help exercise many more muscles than regular walking. The poles are not canes or leaned on; instead, they are pushed at a 45-degree angle behind the walker. This propels the person forward and strengthens the neck and upper shoulders. Nordic Walkers are taught to belly breathe, which strengths the diaphragm, which in turn supports the back. Nordic Poles take pressure off the hips, knees and joints.  Mary herself has found the exercise life-changing for her physical health, and many of her fellow walkers have improved dexterity, blood pressure, stability, weight, and muscle strength.

The group has captured the attention of local physical therapists and doctors, who refer their patients to the Nordic Walking Group, and community leaders, who financially and socially support the ever-growing club.

If you or someone you know would benefit from joining this group, please contact Mary at mary@sweeneyridge.com. There is no cost for the program, and poles are provided. Mary will provide introductory instruction on how to use the Nordic walking poles, and then members can either join regularly scheduled group walks, or walk on their own schedule. The 2023 Nordic Walking group schedule will be published on this page when it is known.

On March 21, 2023, Town of Gray Recreation Director Anthony Dahms and Mary Sweeney Underwood gave a presentation to the Maine Recreation and Park Association about the Nordic walking program in Gray. You can view that presentation here