About Me

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
- Lao Tzu

Hi, I’m Fiona Fisher.


I’m a walking coach.  Yes you read that right…a walking coach! 


I work predominantly with people over the age of 50 to help them get the most out of the time they spend walking.  I offer an alternative solution to joining a gym or traditional fitness class, without having the high impact of running or the balancing requirements of cycling (or having to get your kit off for winter wild swimming…brrr).


By gently motivating and encouraging my clients to activate and recruit the necessary posture and propulsion muscles, they learn effective and safe walking techniques.  I help address barriers to walking, such as painful joints, balance issues or lack of motivation.   I teach exercise strategies to safely build strength and stamina in the muscles and in the heart and lungs to increase walking pace.  My sessions help improve bone density, co-ordination and balance, helping to increase confidence…all whilst walking!

Whilst I’m trained to deliver many different exercise activities, walking has been the one consistent in my ever-developing fitness career. Although I’m qualified in exercise to music and as a gym instructor, you won’t find me in a fitness centre, instead I’ll be working out outdoors…it’s my happy place!  Outdoors I tend to focus on walking and moderate resistance training with bands and body weight.  Don’t get me wrong, I do love to lift heavy things (it’s very important, particularly as we age!) and I do that in my wee back garden studio.

Part of the reason I’m so dedicated to teaching people about the importance of walking is due to my own health struggles.  In 2018 my health took a rapid downward spiral, seemingly out of nowhere.  Outwardly I looked fine but my muscles and joints were in constant, sometimes debilitating pain and the fatigue was extreme.  I was sent on a journey to regain my health that lasted 6 years and for most of that time I was almost completely exercise intolerant…me, this super healthy fit-pro!  It hit me hard, physically and mentally.  What saved my fitness (and my sanity)?  Walking.

 

Walking allowed me to maintain a level of fitness, not where I was or where I wanted to be, but some.  With other lifestyle changes I was able to gradually broaden my fitness regime.  When out walking I would stop and use park furniture for sit to stand squats and incline press ups or resistance bands attached to bridges.

 

So I get it.  For people who are in pain or are so fatigued that a short walk often seems like too much.  I really get it!  I’ve lived it and I’ve recovered.  That’s why I have a large focus on starting at the beginning and working your way up.

Most of my clients are like-minded, finding me out of a desire to avoid the gym but to still keep fit and healthy.  With no desire to run themselves into the ground yet still achieve their goal of improving their fitness.  


Some have pain and need to take it slow, working on strengthening the correct muscles to aid pain free movement; some need to focus on balance and bone strengthening; some come to improve their cardovascular fitness.  


Some just simply love to walk!  

Perhaps by now you’re wondering what makes my sessions so effective, I mean it’s just walking right?  Well, aside from my long list of qualifications in the fitness industry, my more than a decade as a walking coach and my attention to the detail of correct walking technique, my sessions include functional exercises.  Functional exercises are exercises that promote the movement needed to allow us to complete everyday tasks safely, such as walking, sitting, bending, reaching, balancing and to help us to counteract sedentary postures.  This is so important for healthy ageing!  I use a variety of equipment on my in-person and follow along fitness walks including walking poles, resistance bands, park furniture and of course a person’s own body weight.

My services are for you if you:

  • have painful joints or feet that prevent you from walking comfortably
  • are afraid of falling
  • are afraid to get out of breath
  • are a slow walker and would like to increase your pace
  • lack the motivation to start walking
  • lack the motivation to push yourself on a walk
  • don't know where to walk
  • don't feel confident to walk alone
  • know you need to make some changes but aren't sure where to start
  • aren't sure which walking routes are suitable for your needs
  • would like the support of a like-minded community
  • feel like you need accountability

So if any of this rings true to you, if right now you are calling out to your device, ‘yes that’s me!’, then please do get in touch to find out how I can help you.