Mandy Johnson of Active By Nature in Canmore, Alberta, Canada shared an article in Travel Tales of Life about Nordic walking. She shared it at Nordic Walking Groups on Facebook (join to learn more about Nordic walking).
Main point: “Nordic walking simulates the movements of cross country skiing. Nordic poles are shorter than cross country ski poles. However, when used correctly, the poles propel a walker forward along a trail or sidewalk.”
More about it:
- “…ordinary walking engages the muscles from the waist down. Whereas Nordic walking uses virtually every muscle in the body. My I’ve-been-watching-too-much-Netflix-abdominals twinge in agreement.”
- “Nordic walking burns more calories than regular walking, estimating a range from an increase of 18% to 67% more. As well, the exercise decreases anxiety and chronic pain while increasing muscle strength, endurance and flexibility.”
- “Using Nordic walking poles, the emphasis is on standing tall, rather than hunching over.”
Takeways:
- “For years my hiking poles have dangled about my wrists, tapping my way along a trail until an obstacle presents itself.”
- “It is the pushing back on the Nordic pole, propelling me forward, that awakens my triceps. Lost in their sluggish slumber, the muscle group is surprised at their call to action.”
- “As with any exercise, the intensity can vary and be adjusted to the individual. In Nordic walking, the longer the stride and pole thrust, the more vigorous the work out.”