About Nordic Walking

The History

Ski walking or pole walking has been practiced for decades as summer training for competitive cross-country skiers as a way of exercising year-round. Nordic Walking was developed from this and launched in Finland in only 1997 after extensive studies by Finnish universities into biomechanics to gain the maximum advantage from the exercise. In conjunction with a top ski pole manufacturer specific Nordic Walking poles were developed with comfortable demi-gloves, hardened steel tips for use on grass, trails, the beach, and snow and removable rubber tips (paws) for hard surfaces. Today over 7 million Europeans (and 19% of Finns) are Nordic Walking daily and in the UK it is thought that around 70,000 people now exercise with Nordic Walking and growing fast!. It is the worlds fastest growing exercise method with growing followers in USA, Canada, Australia

The Benefits

Compared to regular walking, Nordic walking involves applying force to the poles with each stride. This extra muscle involvement leads to significant enhancements over ordinary walking or jogging at equal paces both in calories burned and fitness. It could be described as Walking Aerobics.

Nordic Walking is now used widely by chiropractors / physiotherapists / osteopaths and GP's as an exercise therapy, usually following a course of treatment. Some NHS Primary Care Trusts now use Nordic Walking as a way to encourage people to exercise more.

Health Benefits

suitable for all ages and levels of fitness, you work at your own pace and ability
suitable for those new to taking exercise for health (always consult with your doctor first)
Improves aerobic fitness and muscular endurance therefore is more beneficial to the heart, lungs, muscles and joints than ordinary walking
exercises upper body at the same time as the lower body, giving a total body workout
strengthens back and improves healthy trunk rotation
burns on average 20% more calories than walking, and can be up to 46% more
improved walking balance and stability when using poles
less stress on the shins, knees, hips and back which can be beneficial for those with injuries or muscles not strong enough to bear the person's (modified or unmodified) weight in normal walking for desired speeds, periods and terrains.
improves aerobic fitness and muscular endurance
minimal equipment needed, only Nordic Walking poles, no lycra required, no club membership, no regular classes

Nordic Walking is easy to maintain, fitting in with even the busiest schedule, as you can walk anywhere, park, pavement, beach, field, mountain.....

Fitness Benefits

excellent cross-training exercise easily reaching +75% of maximum heart rate and easier to stay in the fitness zone
increased overall strength and endurance in the arms and upper body
greater ease in climbing hills by reducing the weight on your legs by up to 25%. Because you are using more muscles and doing more exercise, the effort is spread across your whole body and, therefore, Nordic Walking can actually feel easier and less tiring than normal walking!

Try Nordic Walking while wearing a heart rate monitor. The lowered rate of perceived exertion (RPE) felt with Nordic Walking means you will be surprised at just how hard your heart is working, while you are feeling relatively comfortable. This whole body muscular activity, high heart rate response and yet lowered RPE found with Nordic Walking means you can work at a higher intensity, for longer and with more ease than in many other types of training techniques - ideal cross-training.

Hill Walking and Nordic Walking

Nordic Walking has a defined and developed methodology. With experience, hill walkers can gain a real advantage on all terrains using their trekking poles combining the benefits of Nordic Walking without the inherent dangers of this type of pole. Visitors to European mountains will now find a high percentage of walkers using Nordic Walking poles and practicing Nordic Walking, and not just trekking poles as in the past.

Walkers in the Lake District may be shocked to see people running past them using Nordic Walking poles, this is the new breed of Nordic Runners, fast becoming a sport in itself.

Why you need to learn Nordic Walking

It's not rocket science, it's an enhancement of normal walking and bringing poles in as an aid and an exercise for the upper body. Joining an introductory course is the best way to pick up and practice the special techniques and with good instruction the walking becomes second nature to you. Without learning the basics of any exercise or sport you could not expect to gain the skills and therefore the maximum of the benefits.

Is there a Governing Body?

Your qualified instructors have undertaken internationally recognised instructor training governed by INWA (International Nordic Walking Association) http://inwa.nordicwalking.com

In the UK this training is carried out only by Nordic Walking UK, www.nordicwalking.co.uk and the course is accredited by REPS (Register of Exercise Professionals) and awarded the top, 16, REP development points.

Note:

As with any exercise it is advisable to consult your doctor before embarking on a new exercise programme. Instructors do not accept responsibility for any individual participating in Nordic Walking.

Some web links to interesting articles

Discussion with a Professor at the School of Health Professions at University of Brighton. - click here

Article by Weight Watchers - click here

Website of Exel, the worlds major Nordic Walking and ski pole manufacturer - click here


HOME \| ABOUT NORDIC WALKING \| POLES \| LESSONS / WALKS \| EVENTS

The History Ski walking or pole walking has been practiced for decades as summer training for competitive cross-country skiers as a way of exercising year-round. Nordic Walking was developed from this and launched in Finland in only 1997 after extensive studies by Finnish universities into biomechanics to gain the maximum advantage from the exercise. In conjunction with a top ski pole manufacturer specific Nordic Walking poles were developed with comfortable demi-gloves, hardened steel tips for use on grass, trails, the beach, and snow and removable rubber tips (paws) for hard surfaces. Today over 7 million Europeans (and 19% of Finns) are Nordic Walking daily and in the UK it is thought that around 70,000 people now exercise with Nordic Walking and growing fast!. It is the worlds fastest growing exercise method with growing followers in USA, Canada, Australia The Benefits Compared to regular walking, Nordic walking involves applying force to the poles with each stride. This extra muscle involvement leads to significant enhancements over ordinary walking or jogging at equal paces both in calories burned and fitness. It could be described as Walking Aerobics. Nordic Walking is now used widely by chiropractors / physiotherapists / osteopaths and GP's as an exercise therapy, usually following a course of treatment. Some NHS Primary Care Trusts now use Nordic Walking as a way to encourage people to exercise more. Health Benefits suitable for all ages and levels of fitness, you work at your own pace and ability suitable for those new to taking exercise for health (always consult with your doctor first) Improves aerobic fitness and muscular endurance therefore is more beneficial to the heart, lungs, muscles and joints than ordinary walking exercises upper body at the same time as the lower body, giving a total body workout strengthens back and improves healthy trunk rotation burns on average 20% more calories than walking, and can be up to 46% more improved walking balance and stability when using poles less stress on the shins, knees, hips and back which can be beneficial for those with injuries or muscles not strong enough to bear the person's (modified or unmodified) weight in normal walking for desired speeds, periods and terrains. improves aerobic fitness and muscular endurance minimal equipment needed, only Nordic Walking poles, no lycra required, no club membership, no regular classes Nordic Walking is easy to maintain, fitting in with even the busiest schedule, as you can walk anywhere, park, pavement, beach, field, mountain..... Fitness Benefits excellent cross-training exercise easily reaching +75% of maximum heart rate and easier to stay in the fitness zone increased overall strength and endurance in the arms and upper body greater ease in climbing hills by reducing the weight on your legs by up to 25%. Because you are using more muscles and doing more exercise, the effort is spread across your whole body and, therefore, Nordic Walking can actually feel easier and less tiring than normal walking! Try Nordic Walking while wearing a heart rate monitor. The lowered rate of perceived exertion (RPE) felt with Nordic Walking means you will be surprised at just how hard your heart is working, while you are feeling relatively comfortable. This whole body muscular activity, high heart rate response and yet lowered RPE found with Nordic Walking means you can work at a higher intensity, for longer and with more ease than in many other types of training techniques - ideal cross-training. Hill Walking and Nordic Walking Nordic Walking has a defined and developed methodology. With experience, hill walkers can gain a real advantage on all terrains using their trekking poles combining the benefits of Nordic Walking without the inherent dangers of this type of pole. Visitors to European mountains will now find a high percentage of walkers using Nordic Walking poles and practicing Nordic Walking, and not just trekking poles as in the past. Walkers in the Lake District may be shocked to see people running past them using Nordic Walking poles, this is the new breed of Nordic Runners, fast becoming a sport in itself. Why you need to learn Nordic Walking It's not rocket science, it's an enhancement of normal walking and bringing poles in as an aid and an exercise for the upper body. Joining an introductory course is the best way to pick up and practice the special techniques and with good instruction the walking becomes second nature to you. Without learning the basics of any exercise or sport you could not expect to gain the skills and therefore the maximum of the benefits. Is there a Governing Body? Your qualified instructors have undertaken internationally recognised instructor training governed by INWA (International Nordic Walking Association) http://inwa.nordicwalking.com In the UK this training is carried out only by Nordic Walking UK, www.nordicwalking.co.uk and the course is accredited by REPS (Register of Exercise Professionals) and awarded the top, 16, REP development points. Note: As with any exercise it is advisable to consult your doctor before embarking on a new exercise programme. Instructors do not accept responsibility for any individual participating in Nordic Walking. Some web links to interesting articles Discussion with a Professor at the School of Health Professions at University of Brighton. - click here Article by Weight Watchers - click here Website of Exel, the worlds major Nordic Walking and ski pole manufacturer - click here