Benefits of Nordic Walking

 Walking with poles has two principal functions:

1.  It forces involvement of the upper body parts and activates muscles that are passive during a normal walk,

2.  It partially unloads the lower extremities that may be excessively exploited during a normal walk.

These two functions lead to advantages that bring further benefits for health. The most important include:

•  A greater energy expenditure – by 20 - 40% as compared to the standard walk.  Because you burn more calories than normal walking, if done regularly, this could lead to weight loss.

•  An improvement in general agility in the joints of the upper body and the back as well as an improvement in the range of motion in these joints,

• An increased overall strength and endurance in the core muscles and the entire upper body.

• An improvement of general agility in the joints of the lower body  and of the lower parts of the spine and maintenance of normal joint mobility   (significant unweighting of hip, knee and ankle joints).

• Tones your legs, buttocks, chest, shoulders and particularly the backs of your arms

• Greater feeling of well being and comfort possibly due to the ability to perform a high intensity exercise while having a low subjective perception of fatique.

• Using the poles can help balance and stability so it is safer especially while walking on uneven or slippery ground.

• Greater ease in climbing hills

• Regular Nordic walking can improve certain functions important in everyday living so it can be an ideal exercise for older adults to maintain functional capacity and helps them to continue to lead an active life

• Nordic Walking is now being used for rehabilitation as it is a natural and safe, yet intense, form of physical activity.

In addition to the above specific benefits of using two poles, Nordic Walking has all the benefits of normal walking and indeed of total body exercise.

These include:

• Improves cardiovascular fitness.

• Helps prevent osteoporosis.

• Improves stamina, endurance and flexibility.

• The mood boosting effects of exercise have been recognised for many years and  all forms of sustained physical activity can help depression and anxiety.

• Exercising outdoors especially in areas where nature can be enjoyed is now termed “green exercise” and this is known to have an even greater effect on our well being.

• It is very sociable  you can walk and talk.

• It appeals to all ages and fitness levels. 

• It can be done all year round in any climate.

• It is inexpensive important in these recessionary times!

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