Nordic Walking Provides Walkers A Total Body Workout

A new walking craze is sweeping the United States, one that already counts more than seven million Europeans among its ranks. What is it? Nordic walking.

The origins of nordic walking (also known as pole walking or trekking) evolved from ski walking, which is an off-season training activity for skiers. Competitive Nordic skiers have engaged in the practice of ski walking and hill bounding on dry land for decades. Finland was the first country to popularize the sport in Europe.

Why is nordic walking so popular? In three words: total body workout.

Nordic walking combines the positive training effects of walking with the total body exercise advantages of cross-country skiing. The result is a total body workout that burns 40-50 percent more calories without increased exertion or walking faster.

Nordic Walking Pole Equipment

The walking poles used in nordic walking are a modified descendent of the ski pole. Although they have many features in common with a ski pole, the nordic walking pole is made in typically two or three sections and is extended and retracted depending on the situation and the height of the walker.

The maximum length of nordic walking poles is typically 135cm (54 inches). Nordic walking poles of correct length are about 70% of the height of the walker. It is important for walkers to adjust the walking poles to fit their height to prevent placing additional stress on the back and diminishing the positive health benefits of the workout routine.

Some nordic walking poles offer a variety of features such as spring-loaded tips to reduce wrist strain. Nordic walking poles are typically made of lightweight aluminum or carbon fiber and are retractable for easy storage. Nordic walking poles also feature wrist traps and come with removable rubber tips for walking on pavement and hardened steel tips when used while hiking on trails, beaches, snow or ice.

Nordic Walking Benefits

As we age, we lose tone and muscle strength – especially in our upper body.

While walking is a great activity, many of our muscle groups are not exercised while walking or hiking. Nordic walking allows walkers to use more of their body because the walker applies force to the poles with each stride. The result is increased workout for chest, lats, triceps, biceps, shoulders and abdominals.

The additional benefit is a lower impact workout. Transferring some of the walker’s weight to the pole lessens pressure on the back and lower joints. Experts say correct use of nordic walking poles can remove up to 250 tons of stress from the knees and lower back during an eight-hour hike.

Here are some of the benefits achieved from nordic walking:

• Increased Endurance
• Improved Posture
• Improved Cardio function
• Improved Strength
• Burn Fat Faster

If you are looking for a low impact workout solution that will give you a total body workout, burn up to 40-50% more calories than standard walking and provide an upper body workout, then you should consider adding nordic walking to your exercise routine.

***Special Offer***

In addition to offering nordic walking poles from such brands as Exerstrider and LEKI, Walkers Warehouse offers its own brand of nordic walking pole called the PowerWalker. The PowerWalker is an affordable solution that features precision crafted, high quality steel, a Quick-Adjust system that allows you to change heights with a touch of a button and both rubber road tips and carbon steel trail tips for maximum versatility and much more.
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