If it’s burning many calories in a short amount of time is what you’re looking for, then you might want to check out Nordic walking. It is a type of walking exercise that makes use of modified ski poles. It may sound like Nordic walking can only be done in winter season. As a matter of fact, it can be done all year round.
History of Nordic Walking
Nordic walking evolved from another type of exercise called ski-striding. Ski-striding is a popular off-season activity in Finland, wherein cross-country skiers would train before winter came.
Nordic walking was first introduced in the 1980’s. Adoption was initially slow, and it wasn’t until 1997 that the first official Nordic walker ski poles were sold to the public. By the end of 2005, there was an estimated 5 million Nordic walkers around the world. Today, you can find many more in several non-European countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, India, and China.
In Finland, Nordic walking is referred to as sauvakävely, which means pole walking.
How Does Nordic Walking Work?
Nordic walking became a popular exercise because it makes the upper and lower parts of the body do their work. It brought ordinary fitness walking to a new level, enabling the body to burn up to 50% more calories without the need to walk faster or longer distances.
Benefits of Nordic Walking
Below are some of its benefits:
Choosing Nordic Walking Poles
It is important to choose the right kind of poles for this type of exercise. Below are some guidelines for choosing Nordic poles:
With these specific modified poles, Nordic walking is proving to be an effective workout that caters to people of all fitness levels.
As with many fitness regimens, Nordic walking will also need some getting used to. There is an organization called International Nordic Walking Association which aims to unite all Nordic walkers out there. They also have instructors and trainers in member countries. For those who plan to participate, the INWA website is a great starting point.
Nordic walking is a remarkable fitness activity for all ages. Hopefully, it spreads to more countries in the coming years.
