Walk this way...

Sabine Flugel is accustomed to people making that comment as she strides across the moors above her home.

With thick, dark hair flying, legs and arms powering forward and backwards, she cuts a striking figure as she wends her way along heather-lined tracks.

But what makes the sight of Sabine more unusual than that of most hikers, are the two poles, rather like ski poles, she carries in each hand.

The specially-designed poles are used for Nordic walking, the, fun, fast-growing activity that is sweeping the country.

For German-born Sabine, the leisure sport - practised as a summer activity by cross-country skiers - is her passion. And she has brought that passion to West Yorkshire, where she is introducing people to the unusual, invigorating exercise.

"It is like walking pilates," says the Nordic walking master instructor, as she prepares to give me my first lesson in the activity.

She demonstrates how to walk properly, with natural long strides, heel-toe action, and stretching the arms so as not to restrict movement.

To my surprise, the poles are very light. "The best poles are made from carbon, which are lightweight and absorb shock better," says Sabine, who leads three morning walks every week in and around Ilkley, and additional evening walks in summer. "Poles come in different lengths, and are adjustable to suit the individual."

Chatty and personable, Sabine makes the ideal teacher as she advises me on how to use the poles to aid movement rather than restrict it. I try to get into a regular rhythm, which is not as easy as it looks, but once I get into my stride I feel like I'm walking on air.

Nordic walking is an enhancement of normal walking, as one leg strides forward, the opposite arm swings forward. If you suddenly lose your grip while on the move, there is no danger of the poles flying off - they are attached to the hands using a Velcro-fastening fingerless glove'.

We are following the moorland tracks around White Wells on Ilkley Moor. It is late afternoon and the scenery, blue sky and sunshine make for the perfect outdoor classroom.

"It is great because as well as the health benefits, you can enjoy the scenery," says Sabine. "Nordic walking is a very social activity - you are walking with other people and it is non-competitive.

"And the beauty of it is that people of all ages and capabilities can do it - whether you are 20 or 70. Children also love it."

The activity dates back to the 1930s, when it was practised as a summer training exercise by cross-country skiers and athletes to maintain and improve strength and endurance.

"Cross-country skiing is much harder as you are depending on your upper body strength to a great extent," says Sabine, 45.

A personal trainer and fitness instructor, she has been involved in sport and exercise from an early age - she joined her first athletics club at three - and was bowled over when she first came across Nordic walking while visiting family in Austria.

"I came across some men walking with poles. Although I was a fitness instructor, my knees didn't feel too good after long-distance running, and I thought it would strengthen them."

From the start, she loved it, and embarked on a training course to become an instructor.

She came to Ilkley with her property developer husband John, who was brought up in the town.

"The surrounding countryside is ideal for Nordic walking, says Sabine, "One of my favourite routes is leading up Herbers Ghyll to Ilkley Moor, towards White Wells and then further up to the Cow and Calf rocks. There are such wonderful views."

Nordic walking is an established leisure sport in Scandinavian countries and throughout Northern and Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. It offers an across-the-board range of health benefits.

The activity works the upper and lower body at the same time, strengthening the back, legs and arms, and reducing neck and shoulder tension, while also improving the health of the heart and lungs."

"Nordic skiing uses the upper body as well as the lower body, and because you are using more muscles, you burn more calories than you do with normal walking - 400 per hour as opposed to 280. You use 90 per cent of the muscles of your body."

And yet, she adds, "You do not feel as if you are working that hard."

I can vouch for that - as we walked up beyond White Wells, I barely noticed the gradient, or the distance we covered. At the top, the panorama stretched far into the distance, and I felt I could stretch my poles and effortlessly stride across the county into North Yorkshire. "I don't feel remotely tired," I told Sabine.

She nodded. "It is motivating, it gives people confidence." It did feel empowering, and I pointed out to Sabine that, were I walking on my own, the poles could come in useful for self-defence.

Unlike walking without poles, Nordic walking has the advantage of firming and toning the arms too. In only a short time I felt my shockingly out-of-condition upper arms tighten.

If I took up this activity, I have no doubt I could kiss goodbye to bingo wings. And it is very good for your posture.

Sabine is keen to expand her already lengthy list of clients, and next month is taking classes in Kirklees as part of the district's physical activity development programme.

"I am also keen to take Nordic walking into schools, to show children how it is done."

She is also training enthusiasts to become instructors themselves.

The sun shone throughout our hour-long lesson. Had the weather been less favourable, walkers can stick to urban routes - another advantage of this flexible activity. "It is equally suited to country and city," says Sabine.

Striding off, her legs and arms moving in a well-practised rhythm, she is the perfect advert for her product. "It is very invigorating. People who try Nordic walking can't wait to do it again."

I had to admit, I felt better than I had in a long time. Fresh air, two poles, and good company - it was certainly different, and definitely great fun.

• Courses range from 90-minute taster sessions to five-hour walking days and one-day advanced Nordic walking workshops. Group sessions and indoor training sessions using the poles as part of am exercise routine are also available. For more information contact Sabine Flugel on 07966 572611 or e-mail: info@nordicwalkingschool.co.uk or visit: nordicwalkingyorkshire.co.uk or nordicwalkingschool.co.uk