Nordic Walking for Fitness and Fun!

An Introduction to Walking with Poles

-- By Leanne Beattie, Health & Fitness Writer

Eventually, most people who walk for fitness will reach the point when walking alone no longer challenges them or helps them see results. If that sounds like you, then Nordic walking may be just what you need. First used as a summer training method by cross-country skiers, Nordic walking has become a stand-alone fitness regime, thanks to fitness professionals and the sports equipment manufacturer Exel Oyj of Finland.

Nordic walking, which uses walking poles to increase effort, is a low-impact, full-body workout that is gentle on the joints. And although you'll work harder and burn more calories than walking alone, the perceived exertion is about the same. What this means is that you burn more calories while working more muscle groups. If you try Nordic walking, you’ll enjoy a greater aerobic challenge than walking alone, but won't feel as though you're working much harder.

A small study conducted by the Dallas-based Cooper Institute and funded by Exel found that:

• Nordic walking burns about 20% more calories per hour than walking alone.
• Nordic walking elevates heart rate between 4.0% and 8.2% higher than walking alone.
• Although Nordic walkers burned more calories and used more muscle groups, they did not feel that walking with Nordic poles was more strenuous than walking without poles.

Benefits of Nordic Walking

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• MA_LIBERTE "I live in Finland and Nordic Walking is so common here, everybody seems to ..."
• LIVINGLIFEINMN "I just learned how to Nordic Walk last night and loved it. I can definitely..."
• SUNNYARIZONA "I have been using Nordic walking poles now for about 4 years. I simply can..."

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