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Ever seen anyone walking with ski poles? What they’re doing is something called Nordic Walking.
Nordic walking began as a cross-training activity for cross-country skiers in the summer. It has been practices for decades, and for a while was known as “ski-walking”. It quickly evolved to include backpackers, who could use the poles to lessen the amount of weight on their hips and knees. It has now been marketed as a way to enjoy a more complete workout from fitness walking.
Nordic walking is an effective and practical way to exercise, being as easy to do as walking without poles. It is an exercise that can be done in just about any climate or conditions. It incorporates more muscles into exercise than regular walking, including large core muscles and muscles of the upper body. This creates a more complete workout than regular walking. When using Nordic walking poles, your heart rate is increased when compared to walking at the same pace without the poles, which leads to more calories burned. Using Nordic walking poles also makes it easier to climb hills.
Another advantage of Nordic Walking is that it lessens the impact that walking can have. Using the poles takes a great deal of weight off of the joints of the lower extremity, including the hips, knees, and joints. This can be an important aspect of fitness walking for elderly people, or others that may have a tough time getting around. Walking poles also provide greater balance than walking without poles.
Nordic walking poles may look like ski poles, but they do have some important differences. They are shorter than ski poles used for cross-country skiing, which allows them to be functional. They are very lightweight, and are usually made out of aluminum or carbon fiber. They usually have removable rubber tips for walking on cement or asphalt, and small metal spikes for walking on surfaces like sand, dirt, or snow. Some walking poles are single pieces, while others have a telescoping design that allows for easy adjustment. Some companies that make Nordic walking poles include Leki, Exel, Keytz, and others. A set of poles generally runs somewhere between $20 and $150. They are often sold in sporting-goods stores or stores that specialize in walking and running.
So next time you see some people on the beach or the sidewalk walking with poles, don’t just stare at them wondering what they’re doing…ask if you can join them!
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http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com
1 comment:
Walking with poles is the best! It may look silly to walk with poles, but the health benefits are HUGE!!
When using the Perfect Length Poles and the correct technique walking not only becomes more effective it becomes doable for many with knee, hip, back and/or balance issues too.
Perfect length poles help us to automatically walk with a super straight back - better walking posture is biomechanically a good thing. This improved walking posture when combined with the unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action of walking with poles radically reduces the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Nordic Walking is low impact and yet provides a highly effective workout - burning more calories and working more muscle groups than regular walking.
Don't get scammed by cheap twist-locking poles from China. One-piece poles that are sized specifically for each individual's height are safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap twist-locking adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles.
Look for real Nordic Walking Straps too - the best are patented by the Salomon Ski Company.
Nordic Walking is ideal for ALL ages and ALL fitness levels! The American Nordic Walking System provides safe and effective instruction with an ideal level of intensity for any age and any fitness level.
Get off the couch and start walking!
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