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Learn How to Enjoy the Benefits of Nordic Walking

By Ed Forteau

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Published: 08Nov2009
Word count: 691
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Nordic walking may be a great option for you, if you want a workout that will allow you to quickly and effectively burn more calories. It is an exercise method that employs the use of modified ski poles, but does not require any snow.

Ski-striding was an exercise that allowed people to become familiar with skis during the off-season, and was largely responsible for the evolution of Nordic walking. Cross country skiers in Finland, who are known for their extreme fitness, first made this exercise popular as a year round form of off season training. In Finland, where Nordic walking originated, it is more commonly known as sauvakavaly, which means "pole walking".

When Nordic walking was first introduced in 1980, there was not a widespread interest in the sport, however when the Nordic walker ski poles were made available in 1997, Nordic walking gained massive popularity, and was soon considered one of the most rapidly growing fitness activities in the world. In fact, an impressive five million people claimed to take part in Nordic walking towards the end of 2005.

What makes Nordic walking such a popular form of exercise? It forces the upper body to work in conjunction with the lower body, providing a new level to regular walking and even running, while also allowing someone to burn an additional 50% in calories while maintaining the same pace and length of time they walk.

There are also additional benefits to be had with Nordic walking.

As opposed to traditional walking, Nordic walking increases the heart rate by about thirteen percent, or around 15 beats faster.

The Nordic poles provide an extra level of safety, with increased traction for slippery surfaces.

Traditional walking only burns around 280 calories per hour, while Nordic walking can burn around 400 calories per hour.

It is also helpful in building up your endurance.

Climbing up hills or navigating inclines is much easier with Nordic poles.

You can also take advantage of better stability and balance while walking.

It decreases the amount of strain to your joints and back, which helps to reduce the risk of injury.

Additionally, muscle tension is reduced in the neck and spine where lateral mobility is enhanced.

Nordic walking, when the correct poles are used, is a great activity and workout for anyone including people looking to lose weight, relax, increase their capacity for aerobics, assist in rehabilitation, or take on Nordic walking as a sort of physical challenge or goal.

Proper poles are a very important aspect of the exercise that must be chosen carefully. The following tips will help you choose Nordic poles that will work best for you.

Your poles should be lightweight and portable, while at the same time offering sturdy support.

They should feature comfortable grips that can be interchanged.

For the best shock absorption and traction, asphalt paws are a good choice.

The straps must allow you to transfer your weight and power easily as you walk.

The height of the poles should allow you to hold your elbows perpendicularly when the tip rests on the ground and the grip is in your hand.

You must also have a very high quality walking shoe for Nordic walking. MBT Shoes are a great addition to any workout and can help you maximize the amount of calories burned.

It takes time to adjust to Nordic walking, and it is best to seek out specialized training. With the growing popularity of this form of walking, it is not very difficult to pinpoint a trainer or instructor that can train you. In fact, the International Nordic Walking Association is a wonderful organization that works to connect Nordic walkers all around the world, and could be a useful resource for finding other people to help you. You may be able to find a Nordic walking group in your area if you belong to a participating country. If not, consider starting up a Nordic walking group in your town.

Nordic walking promises to continue growing all across the globe, thanks to the helpful poles, and the added benefits of overall fitness. With its numbers increasing every day, Nordic walking is sure to be around for a long time.

Ed Forteau is the publisher of WanderingEducators.com. You can find many articles on fitness shoes on their site. The latest one is on the very popular MBT Shoes and how they work.

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