Nordic Pole Walking

Nordic Walking: More Than Walking With Poles

Nordic Walking is not hiking with poles. It is a specific fitness technique designed to turn walking into a full-body workout.

Nordic Walking developed from the dry-land training methods used by Scandinavian cross-country skiers. By adapting the poling mechanics of Nordic skiing to walking, athletes could continue training their upper body, core and cardiovascular system when there was no snow.

Today, Nordic Walking has become a popular form of exercise and active recreation throughout Europe — and for good reason.

Why Nordic Walking?

Ordinary walking is excellent exercise. Running can provide an intense cardiovascular workout. Nordic Walking offers another option: a vigorous, full-body walking workout without the repetitive impact of running.

When Nordic Walking technique is performed correctly, the poles aren't simply there for balance. Each pole plant becomes part of the stride.

Your arms, shoulders, back and core actively contribute to forward propulsion while your legs continue doing what they do naturally — walking.

That creates a surprisingly effective workout.

Nordic Walking can help you:

• Engage more of the upper body and core than ordinary walking

• Increase cardiovascular demand and energy expenditure

• Develop arm, shoulder and trunk strength and endurance

• Encourage an upright, athletic walking posture

• Improve coordination and body awareness

• Increase stability on hills and uneven terrain

• Distribute effort throughout the body rather than concentrating it entirely in the legs

• Walk vigorously without the impact associated with running

Is Nordic Walking Easier Than Regular Walking?

Not necessarily — and that's part of what makes it so effective.

With good Nordic Walking technique, you may actually be doing more total work than you would during an ordinary walk. The difference is that the workload is distributed across your upper body, core and lower body.

Instead of asking your legs to do all the work, you are recruiting more of your body to propel you forward.

That can make Nordic Walking feel remarkably efficient even while you're getting a substantial cardiovascular and muscular workout.

The Secret Isn't the Poles. It's the Technique.

This is the most important thing to understand about Nordic Walking:

Buying Nordic Walking poles does not automatically give you a Nordic Walking workout.

The fitness benefits come from learning how to coordinate your stride, arm swing, pole angle, pole plant, grip and release so that the upper body actually contributes to propulsion.

Without that technique, the poles may simply become walking sticks.

That is why instruction matters.

A qualified instructor can help you learn the movement pattern correctly from the beginning, adjust the poles to your body, identify inefficient movement patterns and progressively develop a natural, powerful Nordic stride.

Once you learn it, however, Nordic Walking is remarkably accessible.

Serious Fitness Doesn't Require Expensive Equipment

You don't need a gym membership or thousands of dollars of equipment.

You need comfortable walking shoes, an appropriate pair of poles, a place to walk — and the knowledge of how to use them.

There are dozens of poles on the market, and you do not need to spend a fortune on specialized equipment. I have personally tested and examined more than 20 different pole options and can recommend several good choices in approximately the $40–$90 range, depending on your goals and preferences.

Once you have the equipment and learn the technique, your neighborhood, greenway, park or favorite trail can become your gym.

Walking — Upgraded.

Nordic Walking can be adapted for beginners, experienced walkers, hikers, athletes and adults who want to maintain strength and cardiovascular fitness as they age.

It can be gentle.

It can be athletic.

And when you learn to use the poles for propulsion rather than simply carrying them along, it can be a serious full-body workout.

Learn Nordic Walking in Asheville

I offer private Nordic Walking instruction, small-group workshops and club fitness hikes in the Asheville area.

Whether you want to improve your fitness, become a stronger walker or hiker, add upper-body work to your walks, or simply discover a new way to exercise outdoors, I can teach you the technique and help you select equipment without overspending.

Don't just buy the poles. Learn the technique.

Contact me for private instruction, upcoming workshops and the current Nordic Walking event schedule.