Hack your walk with Nordic Walking Guy’s 3 rules:
- Walk with purpose!
- Be consistent!
- Remember everything counts but not everything matters!
Find online: #NordicWalking
Apparently you can walk wrong. An article pointed out elements of the walking gait Nordic walkers can pay attention to.
Main point: “…sports scientist and WalkActive founder Joanna Hall says we should focus on how we walk, as well as the amount of ground we cover.”
Some tips from the article about walking in general:
- “Walk out of your space” instead of “into your space” to engage glutes and hamstrings, reducing lower back discomfort and knee issues.
- Peel your back foot off the ground gradually to stimulate movement through foot joints, enhancing posture and alignment
- Keep shoulders back and head up to maintain proper posture and improve breathing..
- Allow arms to swing naturally for a smooth walking flow.
Takeaways for Nordic Walkers:
- Nordic walking already promotes good posture, but you should make sure to pay attention to head and shoulder alignment to further enhance benefits.
- Apply the “peeling” foot technique to potentially improve push-off power in Nordic walking.
- While Nordic walking engages your upper body, focusing on glutes and hamstrings as suggested could provide additional lower body benefits.
- Your natural arm swing complements the use of Nordic walking poles for optimal technique.
By incorporating these tips, you can further improve your walking efficiency, posture, and overall health benefits. A 2013 study showed participants following Hall’s plan experienced increased walking speed, weight loss, and reduced joint force.
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Join Nordic Walking Groups on Facebook to share tips, ideas, and experiences. Beginners and those exploring Nordic walking interact with certified instructors and experienced Nordic walkers in a friendly, affirming, and cheerful environment.
Nordic Walking Guy’s first rule is “Walk with purpose!” Walking with purpose includes living a life with meaning. Buy Your Unfinished Business: Find God in Your Circumstances, Serve Others in Theirs to learn more about faith, calling, and resilience.
