Nordic walking is a form of walking using modified ski poles. It started as a way of exercising during the summer in Nordic Europe. Nordic Walking was first developed in Finland by Cross Country Skiers, who are considered the most fit athletes in the world, as part of their summer training. Nordic Walking combines the positive training effects of running combined with the advantages of cross-country skiing. The result is a total body workout that burns up to forty percent more calories without walking faster or longer. Another reason is that it creates less pressure on the knee thus benefitting those who may suffer from a damaged knee.

Compared to regular walking, Nordic walking involves applying slight pressure on the ground with the poles. Nordic walkers thus make more use of their shoulders and upper arm muscles. This brings extra energy to the movement leading to enhancements such as:

• faster walking
• walking for greater distances
• climbing hills more easily

An individual's Nordic walking pole should be of such a length that, when grasping the pole by the handle, the fist should be pointing slightly downwards and in any event not higher than a 90 degree angle with the elbow. Note that a walking pole should be slightly (c.5cm) shorter than one's ski pole because the ski pole is designed to sink into the snow.

Links

International Nordic Walking Association (http://inwa.nordicwalking.com/) Nordic walking US  (http://www.nordicwalkingus.com)

nl:Nordic walking fi:Sauvakävely