Nordic-Walking

Nordic Walking originated in Finland as a means of summer training for cross-country skiers. Just as in cross-country skiing, Nordic walking requires the leg movement to be coordinated with a diagonal arm movement whilst using poles. Thanks to the use of these poles, what would otherwise just be classed as walking becomes complete excercise, as the upper body muscles come into play.

The advantages of Nordic Walking

• Studies show that Nordic walking burns up to 46 percent more calories and requires more oxygen than normal walking at the same speed. 
• The use of poles turns walking into a stamina, strength and coordination exercise. 
• The movements carried out in Nordic walking employ and exercise 85 percent of the muscles in our bodies. 
• Nordic walking improves movement-control (coordination, reactivity, balance, orientation and attention). 
• Nordic walking does not over-strain muscles, joints or the heart-circulation system. For this reason, Nordic walking is an ideal sport even for those who are unfit or overweight. 
• Stress on the musculoskeletal system is relieved by up to 30 percent. This makes Nordic walking a particularly good alternative for people with back or knee problems. 
• If done with the correct technique, the grip on the poles is rhythmically tightened and then slackened. This tensing and un-tensing of the arm and shoulder muscles brings about a pumping effect throughout the upper body, thus improving circulation in this region of the body. As a result, Oxygen is provided and metabolic disposal removed. This is why Nordic walking has such a good effect on tense neck, shoulder and back muscles.

The right way to walk
Walking is a sport that is done using cyclical movements. The right-hand pole touches the ground at the same time as the left heal goes down, and vice versa. The poles are always kept in close to the body and set down alternately, always slanting backwards. There are training exercises that can be done, involving constant opening and closing of the hands.