To those new to the activity, nordic walking poles look like nothing more than rubber tipped ski poles and basically theyre correct. A qualified nordic walking instructor will teach participants the correct nordic walking technique, which can be tailored to accommodate their physical needs. If youre planning to walk the bristol 10k with us on may 31 st this could be handy. Guess what the average walking speed for over 65s is. Founded in finland and used as a crosscountry skiing summer training method. The yukon nordic walking leader guide was adapted, with. European and american nordic walking techniques european nordic walkers generally consider the activity a sport, as the european technique was designed to very closely mimic nordic skiing.
Another common lazy technique habit is to go through the motions of nordic walking but without actually putting mush power through the poles. Walking was carried out on a flat, wooded and hard area. The best way to test for this is to walk using the poles and then stop using them but still swing the arms as if you are simply keep the tips off the ground. By implementing poles and simulating the techniques of cross country skiers, you transform your typical walk into a fullbody workout, burning more calories and engaging more muscle groups. For more information about nordic walking and to find a qualified instructor please visit uk. Nordic walking uk technique instructor exercise anywhere. Starts may 6 what it is indoor stationary walking classes that use your nordic walking poles, lively music, marching, and some simple nonintimidating choreography log into zoom to access the class link provided the day of the class. Consisted of a warming up, technique training, endurance. You can tailor each workout to achieve your fitness goal, or you can select from a menu of sample programs developed specifically for cardio health, strength, power, flexibility, sport crosstraining, and full. Effects of nordic walking compared to conventional walking. According to the international nordic walking federation inwa, the correct technique in use of the poles involves a backward pole position during the loading phase, active and dynamic use of the poles, and control. The technique is similar to the upper body action of classic cross country skiing.
Its low impact by nature, its fun to do, and it keeps you outdoors, making it an ideal form of exercise for anyone from outofseason skiers to those recovering from. Nordic walking is the totalbody form of walking, explains kathy smith, fitness pioneer and author of new york times bestselling book moving through. First of all, we will look at the main elements of the movement, then we will show you an exercise which will help you to practice it. Effect of a 4week nordic walking training on the physical. Nordic walking is a modern sport that started in finland. The nordic pole walking technique by nordixx canada youtube. If pole and leg are placed on the same side, you are not able to perform the proper diagonal stride with the hips involved in a counterswinging motion. Find out about the nordic walking technique, the health benefits and getting started. Applying nordic walking techniques to compliment and enhance your fitness training, by pete kelly. Nordic walking started in finland in the 1930s, when the countrys crosscountry skiers were looking for a way to keep their fitness levels up in summer.
It gives you a highly effective all over workout that doesnt feel like one. Muscular and metabolic responses to different nordic walking techniques, when style matters article pdf available in plos one 4. Learning to nordic walkhere are the first steps in learning to nordic walk carry. Its low impact by nature, its fun to do, and it keeps you outdoors, making it an ideal form of exercise for anyone from outofseason skiers to those recovering from injuries. Then the walkers push the pole softly while stepping forward. Definition of nordic walking nordic walking is a form of physical activity, where regular, natural walking is enhanced by the addition of the active use of a pair of speciallydesigned nordic walking poles. Sep 01, 20 nordic walking is an activity involving specially designed poles used to push against the ground with each stride for the purpose of activating the upper body while walking. Introduction nordic walking nw is a form of physical exercise obtained by including the use of walking poles to conventional walking w.
Nordic walking is one of the easiest and best fitness activities for. A fullbody method of walking, where you propel yourself along using a pair of long poles. Nordic walking in the nwt originated as a means for skiers to train in the offseason. Techniques instructor training nordic walking events. Pdf nordic walking for the management of lymphoedema. Nordic walking is a fullbody workout with minimal impact on your joints.
Rather, they are only pulled forward by the strap to begin each stride. Nordic walking for total fitness includes six essential workouts from short, quick walks to longer, more challenging workout excursions. It covers technique tips and includes a four week training schedule. Nordic walking with poles builds fitness, helps posture. To experience just what it could do for you we have 3 ways to get started depending on your goals, fitness level and whether you have experienced nordic walking before. By implementing poles and simulating the techniques of cross country skiers, you transform your. Nordic walking strives to shed a stodgy image reuters. It can be done by anybody, anywhere and does not require expensive equipment or clothing.
Nordic walking is an enhanced walking technique that uses poles to work your upper body as well as your legs. Achieve better techniques of nordic walking during incline and decline paths walking during 60 min. Walk and talk make sure you can carry on a conversation while you walk. Get ready for a new outdoor adventure by joining the more than 8 million people who have picked up their poles and headed outside.
Nordic walking for total fitness pdf human kinetics. The length of the pole is important to ensure correct technique. The correct poles are also an integral part of the technique only those with the correct hand strap will enable the full movement. Keen nordic walkers who want to help others master the technique. Jul 06, 2017 in this video, you will learn the basic nordic walking action, a technique using both your arms and your legs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of nordic walking on body composition, muscle strength, and lipid profile in elderly women. To obtain the desired results from nordic walking and prevent healthrelated problems, using the right technique is crucial.
Nordic walking training plan chichester half marathon. Method sixtyseven women were assigned to the nordic walking group n 21, the normal walking group n 21, and the control group n 25. Nordic pole walking nordic pole walking is a lowimpact exercise that provides the highest benefits for health, wellness and fitness for people of all ages and fitness levels. Nordic pole walking is a workout that, when done properly, exercises 80 percent of your muscles. Top nordic walking technique tips north cheshire nordic walking. With nordic walking the poles are not clutched in a death grip.
An engaging activity, nordic walking can be practiced in a variety of outdoor settings. Pdf nordic walking a versatile physical activity fit for everyone. Focus on a full but comfortable range of motion in your arms. I find it to be the best nordic walking tutorial i have seen to date for how to do. Walking with nordic poles burns more calories and works more muscles than conventional walking. Picture a brilliant blue sky over a vast field of fresh, fluffy snow. Rating is available when the video has been rented. Nordic walking pole handles are very slim and are designed not to interfere with the snappy wrist action during the end phase of the pole push through. The first training started with learning the nordic walking technique.
Your own copy of the powerpoint presentation to use with your classes, teaching methods and instruction in the proper nordic pole walking technique, nordic walking. Effects of nordic walking on body composition, muscle. Because nordic walking uses most of your muscles and most of your joints, and does it while you are upright and using good posture, the core area is strengthened as those muscles work together. A correct basic nordic walking technique will ensure that the most benefit from. While it can help to take a nordic walking class or find someone who has nordic walked before, you can find videos and guides online that can show you proper form. Nordic walking uses specially designed poles not to be confused with trekking poles to enhance your natural walking experience.
The best way to test for this is to walk using the poles and then stop using them but still swing the arms. Once a sound basic technique is achieved, variations like up and downhill, striding, skating, jogging and double pole actions can be learnt to give interest and extra challenge to any nordic walking session. Hold the poles in the center, relax the shoulders, and try to find a natural heeltoe walking rhythm, swinging the arms fronttoback. A correct basic nordic walking technique will ensure that the most benefit from nordic walking is obtained from each exercise. The activity is performed with specially designed walking poles similar to ski poles. The core area is important in any full body exercise. Objectives from this lesson, students will be able to. The current analysis revealed that with regard to short and longterm effects on heart rate, oxygen consumption, quality of life, and other measures, nordic walking is superior to brisk walking without poles and in some endpoints to jogging. With a technique that is similar to the upper body action of classic crosscountry skiing, nordic walking is a genuinely whole body exercise that can be enjoyed at many levels, at low, medium or high intensity.
It is especially beneficial for seniors because it improves upper body strength, coordination, balance, contributes to faster weight loss, better cardiovascular health. Now a global outdoor activity enjoyed by millions, nordic walking is an accessible and easy way to enhance your normal walking routine. This can help prevent or correct muscle imbalances. Nordic walking is an activity involving specially designed poles used to push against the ground with each stride for the purpose of activating the upper body while walking. Nordic walking nw is a form of physical activity where conventional walking is supported by the use of specially designed poles. Oct, 2014 nordic walking, or walking with ski poles, is an effective, full body workout, fitness experts say but it has a bit of an image problem. Nordic pole walking is a workout that, when done properly, exercises 80.
Normal walking, even with a fast pace and good stride, only uses approximately 70% of the muscle mass in the body at any given time. Nordic walking s technique must be learnt correctly if the participant is to get the most out of the. Nordic walking is the fastest growing fitness activity in the world and is used by individuals, personal trainers, health clubs, physiotherapists, doctors and health promoters because it is highly effective, affordable and fun. Our brief guide to nordic walking will help you to learn the ins and outs of the technique. Learning the basic technique nordic walking sikana. Learn to nordic walk and turn every walk into a workout. This video produced by nordixx canada will help guide you through the basic technique of setting your pole height and using proper walking technique. Nordic walking is a specific fitness technique and is not to be confused with trekking, hill walking or trail running as the poles are not planted in front of the walkerrunner but in a specific way that increases the use of the upper body. She is clear and precise so that we can all feel empowered to find the perfect method of nordic walking. Walking with hands open reduces the efficiency of your poling. Top technique tips from our experts nordic walking uk.
They should aim to be at about your race pace or normal running pace in the beginning weeks. Initially, it was walking with poles loosely hanging along the body. Developed in finland, nordic walking incorporates specially designed poles and specific techniques to enhance the. Nordic walking technique instruction should only be conducted under the guidance of a fully qualified nordic walking instructor. Learn the proper nordic walking technique to maximize health benefits and weight loss for beginners. Sixteen rcts with a total of 1062 patients and 11 observational studies with 831 patients were identified. The european technique involves a long range of motion of the arms with the arm passing behind the torso and the grip of the pole being released at the end. Nordic walking as return to work rehabilitation heather watson mcsp, designed2move introduction.
Nordic walking step by step pdf nordic walking step by step david downer, the first english language book on. In this video, you will learn the basic nordic walking action, a technique using both your arms and your legs. Nordic walking is a total body version of walking that can be enjoyed both by nonathletes as a healthpromoting physical activity, and by athletes as a sport. Once youve mastered the basic technique, nordic walking can be done anywhere, anytime. Method sixtyseven women were assigned to the nordic walking group n 21, the normal walking group n. For examples of all of these nordic walking techniques, readers. The rule of thumb is that your elbow should bend at a 90 degree angle when the pole is perpendicular to the ground the elbow should be glued to the waist and pole tip touching the ground. By week 7, you should be walking for 56 miles or 60 minutes continuously.
Invented by cross country skiers as a snowless way to maintain fitness, nordic walking is an allweather activity that is cheap, accessible and provides an. What is nordic walking head to the hills walking poles. Pdf the topic of nordic walking shows the main points of scientific. The technique of nordic walking can be used as a simple, effective rehabilitation and management tool for clients suffering from a variety of health conditions, and provides additional benefits over and above regular walking. For decades in the 1900s, athletes in finland had been training for winter crosscountry skiing by walking in the summers with just the ski poles they called it ski walking. Aim to start each walk with a 5 10 minute warm up and end each run with a cool down for 510 minutes. I appreciated malins thorough and clear instructions on her videos. However, the characteristics of natural, biomechanicallycorrect walking and appropriate posture are maintained in all aspects. Soon became a popular recreation sport all year round. Health improvement a gentle range of movement that encourages general mobility. The correct technique for nordic walking with poles takes some practice. Pdf muscular and metabolic responses to different nordic.
Benefits of nordic walking caloric expenditure and energy consumption increased an average of 20%. Heres everything to know about nordic walking, from nordic walking poles to weeklong workout plans. Beginners guide to nordic walking how to lose weight. In this video, youre going to learn the basic movement forin nordic walking. Developed by the team who brought nordic walking to the uk in 2004 and have trained over 5,000 instructors. Other walks may place more emphasis on the location or social aspects of group nordic walking. Its crosscountry skiing, basically, but without the skis or silly clothes. Nordic walking is a technique of walking that uses specially designed poles which enhance your natural walking experience. Nordic walking is a fullbody exercise thats easy on the joints and suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Here are the basics of the nordic walking technique. Here is your complete training programme for nordic walking a 10k road race.
Nordic walking tips nordic walking advice nordic walking. This skills course will leave you able to understand the power of poles, teach nordic pole walking technique and adapt it for different ability levels. Nwt nordic walkers nwt recreation and parks association. The air is crisp and cold, and youre suited up on skis, ready to propel yourself across the expanse of white for a day of crosscountry skiing. The technique is to plant the poles behind you and do a minipush off with each step. Nordic walking technique to comply with inwa race nordic walking rules, every competitor must. Nordic walking is a full body workout that provides fast results. Nordic walking poles differ from trekking poles in a number of ways but mainly in the design of the handle and the configuration of the wrist strap. Come and have a go and learn the nordic walking technique or join in with the jolly fit classes i am liz jolly and i live in hurworth, co durham. Outdoor enthusiasts will find all the information they need for exploring everything from city streets to mountain tops in nordic walking. Nordic walking involves walking while using walking sticks that are similar in design to ski poles.
Natural walking definition the gait of a human in which the feet are lifted alternately with one part of a foot always on the ground. Nordic walking is a total body version of walking that can be enjoyed both by. Participants can take part in gentle walks or a faster paced workout walk. Nordic walking, hiking, trekking pole technique skiwalking. Keep the hands open on the grip, concentrating on a full forward and back swing from the shoulder and torso, with no conscious. How nordic walking can improve your overall fitness. Put some nordic walking poles in your hands, and with the proper technique, you will now be utilizing up to 90% of your bodys muscle while increasing your heart rate significantly. Learning the basic technique nordic walking youtube. With the ski walking poles strapped on, the fingers super loose and relaxed dont squeeze the pole grips, the arms relaxed and down at your side and the poles angled back, start walking without even moving your arms just let them hang straight down. According to earlier studies, nordic walking increases gait speed and cardiovascular metabolism church et al. Nordic walking is using specially designed poles to engage the upper body during fitness walking. It is the involvement of the triceps, lats and core muscles in this resistance maneuver that leads to the many benefits.
I qualified as an inwa nordic walking instructor 2015 and a qualified keep fit instructor with the kfa. Nordic walking as return to work rehabilitation feb2014. It is really important to learn good technique that is tailored to the requirement of the individual poor technique and wrong sized poles can result in discomfort and injury. Developed in finland, nordic walking incorporates specially designed poles and specific techniques to enhance the action of walking. Nordic walking is a form of fitness walking using specially designed poles and a learned technique, resulting in a low impact, high results, and total body fitness that increases cardio fitness, burns more calories and activates 90% of muscles. Nordic walking as return to work rehabilitation feb2014 edited. By practicing the proper nordic walking technique, you will benefit greatly and have a more fun. Beginners guide to nordic walking, plus why walking with. Mar 29, 2018 another common lazy technique habit is to go through the motions of nordic walking but without actually putting mush power through the poles.
Nordic walking technique and fitness training head to the. The students should understand the techniques of nordic walking while climbing and to stay motivated because of the extra intensity this tour takes with it. This will help you to walk at a safe and comfortable speed. By implementing poles and simulating the techniques of cross country skiers. Ive just tried walking at that speed and not only is it hard to walk that slowly but i couldnt walk properly at that pace. It is applicable to almost anyone and can be done on a variety of surfaces grass, footpaths, forest trails, the beach and even in snow. Saturday, june 20 will be held in autrans nordic walking timed. Nordic walking is meant to enhance your natural walking gait, not completely change it. The medical nordic walking technique was later devised in japan medical nordic walkers extend their arm forwards and place their poles while their arms are at the handshake position. There is a proper nordic walking technique, but its not difficult to learn. Nordic walking is an excellent all over body exercise, using up to 45% more calories than normal walking.