Nordic walking is a form of walking that originated in Finland and is performed with specially designed walking poles. It is a total-body version of walking that can be done both by non-athletes as a health-promoting physical activity and by athletes as a sport. Nordic walking combines cardiovascular exercise with a vigorous muscle workout for your shoulders, arms, core, and legs. Compared to regular walking, Nordic walking involves applying force to the poles with each stride, which engages more of the entire body with greater intensity and provides fitness building stimulation not present in normal walking for the chest, latissimus dorsi muscle, and other muscles. Nordic walking burns more calories than regular walking and can engage up to 90% of your muscles.
Some key features of Nordic walking include:
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Poles: Nordic walking is performed with specially designed walking poles that are more sporty and work better on smoother terrain, including hills and most coastal paths. The poles have a glove-style strap and are used to help propel the walker forward.
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Benefits: Nordic walking provides a full-body, low-impact workout that can offer an intense cardiovascular and strength-training workout. It engages up to 90% of your muscles and provides a substantial calorie-burning benefit.
Overall, Nordic walking is a great way to get exercise and engage more of your body than regular walking.
