More and more people are putting effort into their fitness, but that doesn’t mean all of them are going to the gym. Instead, some alternative techniques have become increasingly more popular, with Nordic walking being one of the more notable.
That being said, you could be asking yourself a few questions. What is Nordic walking, and how can it benefit you? Despite being a relatively new trend, it’s one of the more effective ones for getting fitter.
It’s also quite easy to do, and only involves a few minor adjustments to the walking you might already do. If you’re asking, ‘What is Nordic walking,’ and a few other questions, it’s worth diving in and learning more about it.
Let’s take a good look at what it is and why you should consider starting it.
What is Nordic Walking?
So, what is Nordic walking? In short, it’s an enhanced walking technique that helps you burn more calories and exercise more as you walk.
Using poles – called Nordic walking poles – you’ll workout your upper body as well as your lower body as you exercise. You wouldn’t just be holding these poles as you walk, however.
Instead, you’ll need to make specific movements to make sure you get as much of a benefit out of them as possible. This technique is similar to the movements that cross-country skiers use, with the technique originally being designed for them.
Since they weren’t usually able to practice their hobby during the summer months, they needed something else to train. That’s when Nordic walking was developed, and it’s taken off as a fitness routine in and of itself in the years since then.
As some estimates put it, over 10 million people around the world engage in Nordic walking every year. While they mightn’t do this every day, it’s an integral part of their fitness routine, as well as an enjoyable way to work out.
One of the key appeals with this is it can be done to various intensities. You can start it off quite easily and then make it more and more difficult for yourself. In time, you’ll see yourself burning more calories and getting fitter than you would’ve thought.
What Are The Benefits of Nordic Walking
You’ll have more than a few questions about Nordic walking. Exactly what is Nordic walking will be the most obvious, but you’ll also wonder what the benefits are and why you should consider starting it. As already mentioned, it can be a great way to get fitter and is one of the easier ways to work out.
As it turns out, it offers more than a few benefits on top of that. The fact you’ll burn off more calories compared to traditional walking is just the tip of the iceberg. Some of the more notable of these benefits include:
- Help to improve your gait and posture
- Work out your upper body on top of your lower body
- Release neck and shoulder tension
- Lose more weight without much additional effort
With benefits like that, there’s no reason not to consider Nordic walking. If you’re already walking a decent bit as it is, then it could be a much-needed change to your routine.
Nordic Walking Technique
Nordic walking naturally isn’t the same as traditional walking, and you’ll need to use a specific technique if you want to take full advantage of it.
While there are several techniques you could take advantage of, some are more popular than others.
Double poling is one of the more notable. As the name suggests, it involves using two poles. First you double pole and then take three steps.
Repeat for as long as you’re walking. Single poling is another option, where you’ll mimic what your feet are doing with the poles.
Nordic Walking Poles
If you’re interested in Nordic walking, it’s worth looking at what the poles actually are. These are different to most other poles in that they have straps which you fit your hands into.
You’ll use your hands instead of your fingers to move the poles, with these having a little bit of weight to them. That’s how they help you burn off more calories.
How to Start Nordic Walking
Getting started with Nordic poling isn’t too difficult, especially if you’re already walking a lot. The first step is to pick up the Nordic poles, as you can’t take advantage of the exercise routine without them.
Once you have these in hand, it’s a matter of picking which technique you want to use and starting.
While it might take a little while to master this, it shouldn’t be too complicated, and you’ll end up burning off calories before you know it.
FAQ’s
Do I need special shoes for Nordic walking?
Quite a few forms of exercise need special equipment for you to do properly. Nordic walking is no exception, and you’ll need to get Nordic walking poles to actually take part in them. What about shoes, though? Do you need anything specific?
Not really. You just need shoes that you feel comfortable walking in, which you probably would’ve picked up already. It could be worth going for padded options so you’re as comfortable as possible while you’re walking.
Is Nordic walking suitable for all ages?
With how beneficial Nordic walking can be, you might be wondering if there are any age limits on it. Can it be done by anyone, no matter what their age is? In short, yes. As long as they’re able to hold the Nordic walking poles and walk while holding them, they can do it.
Nordic walking has become a bit of a buzzword in recent years. That could lead to you asking yourself a few notable questions. Exactly what is Nordic walking, and how can it benefit you? A variation on normal walking that uses poles, it helps you get fitter with minimal effort.
It improves your cardiovascular health and lets you burn more calories while you walk. It’s one of the better ways to get fitter without needing to put too much time or effort into it.
