Learn How to Enjoy the Benefits of Nordic Walking
Learn How to Enjoy the Benefits of Nordic Walking
Author: Ed ForteauNordic walking is an effective exercise method to quickly burn calories and lose weight anytime of the year. Even though it employs the use of ski poles, it does not require 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 is it about Nordic walking that makes it 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.
Nordic poles make is easier to navigate inclines or climb hills.
You can also take advantage of better stability and balance while walking.
Strain on your lower back and joints is reduced to help avoid injury.
Also, muscle tension is reduced in the spine and neck where lateral mobility is enhanced.
Nordic walking is a complete workout experience for anyone looking to burn additional calories, lose weight, increase aerobic capacity, or help with rehabilitation.
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, interchangeable, grips.
For the best shock absorption and traction, asphalt paws are a good choice.
The straps keep you balanced and allow you to transfer your weight and power 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. The International Nordic Walking Association connects Nordic walkers all around the world, and is 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. They have many articles on fitness shoes on their site. The latest one is on the very popular MBT Shoes and how they work.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Learn How to Enjoy the Benefits of Nordic Walking
Revel Sports sells LEKE and Exerstrider Nordic Walking PolesLabels: Nordic Walking
- posted by Perry Dau @ 12:08 PM 0 comments
LEKI Sierra SAS Trekking Pole
LEKI Sierra SAS TN2152
 $74.95 / EA |
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What size pole do you need? Adjusting your poles
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Nordic Walking Poles Speed Pacer Vario | Supreme/Prestige | Instructor | Traveller
Trekking Poles Wanderfreund | Sierra
Accessories Gloves | Replacement Tips | Hip Pack | Reflective Stickers
LEKI is pronounced, “Lake-ee”. LE is the first two letters of the owner’s last name, Klaus Lenhart, and KI is from the location of the company, Kirchheim/Teck, Germany. This information will help you win trivia contests; we suggest you donate your winnings to your favorite Outdoor Industry Association non-profit agency.
- posted by Perry Dau @ 12:36 PM 0 comments
LEKI Speed Pacer Vario 2640
LEKI Speed Pacer Vario 2640
| $199.95 |
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What size pole do you need? Speed Pacer Vario 2640 | SUPREME/PRESTIGE 2124 | Instructor | Gloves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
LEKI is pronounced, “Lake-ee”. LE is the first two letters of the owner’s last name, Klaus Lenhart, and KI is from the location of the company, Kirchheim/Teck, Germany. This information will help you win trivia contests; we suggest you donate your winnings to your favorite Outdoor Industry Association non-profit agency.
- posted by Perry Dau @ 6:02 PM 0 comments
LEKI SUPREME/PRESTIGE 2124
LEKI SUPREME/PRESTIGE 2124
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Background of Nordic Walking
Nordic Walking began as a summer training exercise for serious "cross country" skiers. Fitness walkers in Europe adopted Nordic Walking as a time-efficient, low-stress, total body workout. Today, approximately 500,000 people in Finland enjoy Nordic Walking regularly, and it is spreading in popularity throughout Scandinavia. Nordic Walking’s popularity is growing with walking clubs and instructors leading classes across the United States.Nordic Walking uses specifically designed poles to engage the upper body during fitness walking. Nordic Walking was first used as a summer training method by cross-country skiers. It was then developed into a fitness exercise with specific training equipment. Nordic Walking was first launched in Finland in 1997. It has rapidly increased in popularity and today Nordic Walking is well-known fitness sports.
CW-X® has a marketing alliance with LEKI Poles to promote the growing fitness activity of Nordic Walking.
- posted by Perry Dau @ 6:01 PM 1 comments
LEKI 2404-2 Instructor
LEKI 2404-2 Instructor
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LEKI USA Pioneers Growth of Nordic Walking in the U.S.
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The creatures in George Orwell’s Animal Farm were a bit suspicious of those who walked around on two legs. Four legs was definitely the way to go. Now millions of Americans are discovering the health benefits of fitness walking with the aid of two specially-designed poles in their hands.
Taking a tip from European fitness experts, Nordic Walking enthusiasts are finding that walking with poles as little as 30 minutes a day, three times a week, can help lower blood pressure, increase oxygen consumption by 25 percent, reduce cholesterol, and help to relieve back, shoulder and neck pain.
Leading the march is LEKI (www.leki.com), the world's leading maker of skiing, trekking and Nordic Walking poles. Based in Germany with U.S. headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y., the company has established 45 Nordic Walking test centers nationwide at outdoor stores, resorts and health spas. U.S. distributor LEKI USA also supports Nordic Walking events lead by company-sponsored instructors, and has created an instructional video. To further the growth of the activity, the company is aligned with apparel makers like Wacoal Sports Science Corp., makers of the CW-X brand of performance apparel.
Although the company makes popular alpine and cross-country ski poles, Nordic Walking poles are specifically designed just for fitness walking. They feature adjustable
LEKI USA + Nordic Walking 2
and fixed length models, quick-release Trigger straps, four different types of removable rubber tips (including studded rubber), carbide tips, and aluminum and carbon construction. Prices range from $79.95 to $199.95.
Nordic Walking takes fitness walking to the next level by building upper and lower body strength and aerobic capacity. Nordic Walkers use poles to engage the upper body and redistribute weight bearing to the lower extremity, which increases the cardiovascular benefits and caloric demands of walking.
Nordic Walking Technique
The technique is a simple enhancement of normal arm swing when walking. The poles remain behind, pointing diagonally backwards at all times. Shoulders are relaxed and poles are held close to the body. The hands are opened slightly to allow the poles to swing forward – the poles are not gripped, but swing from the wrist straps.
Nordic Walking began as a summer training exercise for serious cross-country skiers, and has become the hottest new trend in fitness in recent years, spreading rapidly worldwide. According to the NSGA, 86.0 million Americans walked for exercise in 2005, making it the country's number one participation activity. A recent SGMA survey reveals 36.3 million engaged in fitness walking last year.
This type of walking is particularly good for people who can no longer take the steady pounding of running or jogging, but desire similar benefits.
9-26-06
- posted by Perry Dau @ 6:00 PM 0 comments
