Nordic Walking is “Total Body Walking”

By June Stevenson National Nordic Walking Trainer

Nordic Walking is a fitness activity that enhances the natural walking movement by the addition of specifically designed walking poles. Nordic Walking has become a worldwide phenomenon as people discover the health and fitness benefits of this unique and effective form of exercise.

While Nordic Walking is first and foremost a fitness activity, many health benefits have been attributed to this exercise. Walking with Nordic Walking poles involves the use of the arms and upper body, thereby increasing the energy (calorie) expenditure. You are using 90% of your muscles 100% of the time!

It is highly recommended that you learn Nordic Walking from a certified Instructor, to ensure you get the best instruction. Once you have learned the correct technique, you can gain more effective energy usage (>20%) in less time, which is ideal for those people who have a lower fitness capacity, are overweight or have mobility issues.

Nordic Walking poles are entirely different to tramping poles. Once you are correctly sized for the poles, you will notice an immediate improvement in your posture. It is amazing that 70% of our body weight is above the hips. When we walk, most of the upper body is “carried” like a passenger in a car. As a result, our posture can slump if the upper body does not have an active movement, during walking.

The improvement to posture ensures the flow of gravity moving through our body is properly aligned. The poles also provide stability during the walking movement as you now have a second “foot” on the ground. This improves balance and reduces the joint load, making the walking movement more effective and ... smarter! This may ultimately reduce stress on the feet. Whenever we exercise, we tend to work at a level dependent on our perceived exertion level. As the exercise intensity increases, our perception also increases (along with our heart rate). Therefore, we adjust our effort to suit our fitness level. However, the rate of perceived exertion in Nordic Walking is lower. This means that, if you have reduced fitness, you can maintain the activity longer. Furthermore, a person who is of higher fitness can continue the activity at a heart rate level similar to running.

Physical activity is vital to good

June Stevenson of Nordic Kiwi Nordic Walking is the NZ National Nordic Walking Trainer on behalf of the International Nordic Walking Federation (INWA). She is a Registered Exercise Consultant and Health and Fitness Trainer. www.nordicwalking.net.nz health and Nordic Walking could be the perfect exercise solution to help diabetes sufferers’ exercise more effectively