What is Nordic Walking? And Why You Need
a Lesson (or Two)

• Did you know that hiking and Nordic walking technique are very different? They are practically opposites—hiking focuses on minimizing effort, while Nordic walking is all about maximizing it.

• Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, it engages almost every muscle while improving your cardiovascular endurance, balance, and coordination.

• Using Nordic walking poles offloads stress from your hips, knees, and back, shifting work to your core, arms, and shoulders.

• To adjust your Nordic walking intensity, simply change your speed.

• While Nordic walking isn’t overly difficult to learn, it isn’t easy to learn either. A lesson will help you feel comfortable and confident with your poles.
  

Did you know Nordic walking and hiking are very different? In fact, they’re almost opposites; hiking focuses on minimizing effort, while Nordic walking is all about maximizing effort.

• Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, Nordic walking works nearly every muscle while improving cardiovascular fitness, balance, and coordination.

• Using poles takes stress off your hips, knees, and back, shifting work to your core, arms, and shoulders.

• You can adjust the exercise intensity simply by changing your speed.

• While Nordic walking isn’t difficult to learn, it does take practise. Lessons will help you feel comfortable and confident with your poles.

10 Big Benefits

1. It whittles your waist.
   Your abs tighten each time you push off with your poles. Many people walk 5,000+ steps per hour; that's also 5,000+ pole plants/ab contractions per hour.

2. Your knees and hips will thank you.
   The poles let you offload weight from your hips and knees into your upper body. You can walk further, faster and/or perhaps even pain-free.

3. It revs up the calorie burning.
   Research shows that Nordic walking burns up to 46% more calories than standard walking.

4. It sculpts your arms and shoulders.
   Nordic walking uses 90% of your muscles, especially the underused upper body muscles.

5. It helps balance your blood sugar.
   It helps keep blood sugars in a healthy range.

6. You’ll straighten up and feel more confident.
   Your upper back muscles (that pull your shoulder blades together) tighten each time you plant a pole.

7. It’s a fun social workout.
   Invite your friends and family members to enjoy all the health benefits with you.

8. It’s a stress buster.
   The smooth rhythmic action provides a distraction from everyday concerns and lifts your mood.

9. You can adjust the intensity.
   Press on the ergonomic handles with more or less intensity to modify your pace.

10. It’s a great running alternative.
    Nordic walking offers the same yearround fresh-air experience as running but without jarring and jostling your joints.

Also see my Blog posts:

"Are You Really Nordic Walking or Just Walking with Poles?"

&

“Uh Oh. Are You Making These Classic 5 Nordic Walking Mistakes?”