Nordic Walking - The total body workout for all ages and abilities

People with different backgrounds, health related issues and those just wanting to gain better health can benefit from Nordic walking. It can be tailored for people at all ages and stages of fitness from those who wish to pursue it as a competitive sport through to handicapped people in old age homes.

Just to give you an idea, Nordic walking can be used by those who have the following problems and ailment:

For people who want more efficient workout than walking or don't like to run anymore or need more variation in their exercise routines

- Nordic Walking with proper technique is 46% more effective than normal walking (Cooper Institute study in Dallas 2002).
- Provides a good cardiovascular workout. It increases heart rate and oxygen consumption and calorie expenditure without increasing your preventive rate of exertion. It consumes about 400 calories per hour and normal walking 280 calories per hour.
- A total body workout because it involves 90% of all muscles.

For people who have tension in shoulder and neck region and/ or rounded shoulder

- Proper arm motion can relieve neck and shoulder tension while toning upper body muscles
- Nordic walking involves rotating your torso while walking thus improving your posture. This is achieved by the poles which keep the chest more open while keeping shoulders in their correct position.

For people who suffer from back pain or/and bad posture

- Nordic Walking is associated with increased rotation of the spine more than normal walking. Motion on the back feeds your spine because it increases blood circulation.
- Nordic Walking can reduce back pain and improve spinal mobility as well as improve your posture.

For people with joint problems (ankle, knee, hip) or joint disease, degeneration and people who are recovering from orthopedic surgery

- Nordic Walking poles provide additional stability and balance for your joint. It helps reduce stress in knees and other joints.
- Nordic Walking assists in bearing your body weight

For people who want to lose weight
- Nordic Walking is a safe and effective way to lose weight.
- Prevents joint damage by bearing your weight. Unlike running or jogging, it does not aggravate the knees.
- It does not exert a person any more than walking but burns more calories.
- Nordic Walking exertion is in the fat-burning zone.

Nordic walking has its origins in Finland where in the 1930's cross-country skiers used poles to reinforce their summer training. It was from there that clinical studies showed a correlation to improved fitness levels.

You may be forgiven for thinking that this is no different than walking. Nordic walking when conducted with proper technique has shown in recent studies by the Cooper Institute, Dallas that Nordic walking burned more calories, and 46% more efficient than normal walking as it utilized 90% of the body's muscles.