Because of the extra involvement of muscles involved in applying force to the poles at each stride, leading to higher oxygen intake and more calories burned (up to 20% more than walking), Nordic Walking has been described by some as “Walking Aerobics”. It is an excellent cross-training exercise. You can easily reach 75% max. heart rate, and easily stay in your fitness zone. In a summary of the research done on the benefits of walking with poles as compared to walking without, Professor Raija Laukkanen (Director of Exercise Science at Polar Electro Oy, Finland) concluded that “walking with poles improves mainly aerobic fitness, muscular endurance, deceases neck-should area disabilities and pain, and can have positive effects on mood state. In order to improve muscle power, uphill walking is required. Pole walking affecting body coordination and motor fitness has not been published. Walking with poles is a safe and fun exercise mode and fits everybody." You’ll need just a minimal amount of equipment: Nordic Walking poles with hardened steel tips for use on grass, trails, the beach, and with snow (plus removable rubber tips (paws) for hard surfaces); comfortable demi-gloves. No club membership; no ‘regular’ classes, though an introductory class is a good idea just so you get the basics down; no special “duds”; and you can walk pretty much anywhere! Using poles to walk up hills reduces the weight on your legs by as much as 25%! People who know say that Nordic Walking is great fun, and feels easier and less tiring than normal walking! Even walking up hills is easy. Makes sense! Using poles to walk up hills actually reduces the weight on your legs by as much as 25%! More than seven million Europeans (including 19% of Finns) Nordic Walk daily. According to some estimates Nordic Walking is “the worlds fastest growing exercise method”, and is growing in popularity in USA, Canada, Australia. Many chiropractors / physiotherapists / osteopaths and GP's as Nordic Walking an exercise therapy, often following a course of treatment. It’s true! There’s apparently a whole new breed of “Nordic Runners,” and this is fast becoming a sport in itself. Associations: INWA (International Nordic Walking Association) http://inwa-nordicwalking.com/ International Coverage in blogs: David Downer: http://nordicwalkingnewsblog.blogspot.com/ and www.nordicwalkingecommunity.com Claire Walter: http://nordic-walking-usa.blogspot.com/ "Nowadays popular also in Japan." “And in China; pole manufacturer Exel is building a new factory there." Surfing Comments On Nordic Walking: “My dad came back from Finland with a set of these poles. One day when he was walking around the block one of the neighbors called out ‘Hey Pentti, you forgot your skis.’” “Anyone in China nordic walking? I am in Shanghai and surrounded by high buildings, where can I nordic walk?” “Although some people in the US have expressed the opinion that walking with two poles is silly, my question is whether walking with one pole, or a cane looks better? The answer is an unequivocal - No way! “ “As an American Nordic walker who lives in Norway, I see, even here, one of the biggest drawbacks to the sport becoming more widespread: it's seen as an 'old people's' sport.” “Until Nordic Walking gets itself out of this stereotype and is positioned along the same lines as skiing and other more 'youthful' sports, it won't become anything but the marginal sport it is. It doesn't matter if there is an excess of 'stick choice' or tiffs about nomenclature, once people see what the sport DOES they'll make their own choices. It needs to become trendy. It needs to be marketed as a total body workout, with no mention of age or infirmity. And, after all, it's just walking, it's not brain surgery or anything. Sometimes the Nordic Walking sites make it look so much more complicated than it is.”
CNWA (Canadian) http://www.cnwa.info/
In his Blogger profile, Downer introduces himself as "an INWA Nordic Walking Instructor, author and publisher, who is passionate about serving the worldwide Nordic Walking community and providing quality information and services.”
Walter describes herself as “a Colorado-based, award-winning travel, food and snow sports writer who was just bitten by the blogging bug late in 2006.”
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Awesome article. You hit on the hot buttons.
Yes its growing. In fact We have been invited to IDEA- Health & Fitness Association to introduce another method of Nordic Walking. There will be many more Nordic Walking variations as this Sport and Health Activity grows and innovates with input from professionals and passionate users who really get it.
The pole types can vary and they will. They will become more improved as they should.
The key difference in "Balance Walking" is the introduction of Physiological Footwear - Rocker Soled, etc. Like "Chung Shi Shoes", "MBT", "Stretch Walker", "Spring Boost", "Reebok Easy Tone".
The method I have been tasked with worldwide is "Balance Walking". We have hundreds of coaches whom are now being re populated back in to the beta website. Bear with me :) and new pole design on top of this. :) We have coaches in Dubai, S.A, Australia, India, Canada, Bahamas and on and on. It is a great day here. The neat part is I have the Foot Solutions and 240 plus locations around the world as the support engine. It is a win win win
We also have the only Coach Program Incentive program that rewards in most unique way. 40 years in the business of coaching, training, competing (over 300 elite triathlon events), Club management, sport innovation (I say this humbly)
Please reach out to www.balancewalking.com and or tkennedy@footsolutions.com
Lastly, I was a college skier in the UP of Michigan and my roommates were Finnish and Norwegian - That was really great
Thanks for mentioning my Nordic Walking blog. I don't know where you are, but if you are anywhere near Santa Monica, you might want to check out a big Nordic Walking day tomorrow (5/30/09). See http://nordic-walking-usa.blogspot.com/2009/05/major-nordic-walking-expo-in-santa.html for details.
Following some simple exercises, one can loose weight. Exercises like: pole walking, in pole walking, one have to walk with pair of sticks, preferably a set of Nordic poles. One can even go for weighted vest into one’s wardrobe, Wii Fit game which includes yoga to aerobics, strength building and balance based exercises.
Walking with poles is the best!
When the International Finn Festival returned to Marquette, Michigan a few years back I had the opportunity to host FREE Nordic Walking Clinics all week.
Skiers know that one-piece poles are safer, lighter, stronger and much more durable than cheap adjustable length/twist-locking/collapsible poles.
When hosting clinics I only use one-piece poles and size all of the participants into the Perfect Length Poles.
Perfect length poles help us to automatically walk with a super straight back - better walking posture is biomechanically a good thing. This improved walking posture when combined with the unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action of walking with poles radically reduces the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Nordic Walking is low impact and yet provides a highly effective workout - burning more calories and working more muscle groups than regular walking.
At WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and The American Nordic Walking System we offer 14 different length poles - to ensure a Perfect Fit.
Seniors and individuals with balance issues should also avoid cheap twist-locking poles that can collapse unexpectedly.
Over 8 million Europeans are walking with poles - in the cities with the removable rubber Nordic Walking Tips/Paws on, out in the country and up in the mountains.
8 Million Europeans can't be wrong!
Walking with poles is the best!