Tower and Town, August 2017 (view the full edition)Nordic WalkingNordic walking was invented in Finland in the 1930s as a summer training regime for cross country skiers. They wanted to find an activity which enabled them to exercise their upper body as well as their legs and keep in shape for the winter season. Nordic walking uses special lightweight poles (similar to ski poles) which are placed behind you to propel you forward in a movement much like a cross-trainer in the gym. But why is Nordic walking better than ordinary walking or just walking with walking poles? When you walk with Nordic walking poles correctly, you are utilising up to 90% of your muscles including your core, your back, arms and shoulders. This results in more power, more propulsion and more speed. You can maintain a faster pace, even going up hills, for longer than fitness-walking alone; you can go further in less time and burn more calories. Using the poles re-distributes some of the force from your lower body to your upper body. This results in much less pressure on your knees and hips and is great for people who find it hard to run or walk due to joint pain. Even going downhill, which can be harder on your knees, using poles can provide stability and support. The poles, used in the right position, naturally put you in an optimal upright posture, helping you increase mobility in your upper body and improve spinal and shoulder rotation. Anyone who spends lots of time behind a computer will feel an immediate benefit from Nordic walking. In addition to the obvious physical benefits Nordic walking is a very sociable activity. Exercise can be a solitary affair when running on your own or in an exercise class as you can't really chat to your neighbour. With Nordic walking, even at fitness speeds, you can still carry on a conversation so you can walk and talk making the most of walking together outside. Ashley Sandy |