here in finland nordic walking is more popular than running. even professional skiers are doing this, because it's great workout. many "ordinary" people also have a habit of walking with poles. so if you sometimes get lost here, which is unlikely, don't be amazed. and by the way, video was very nice - i liked it! :) oh and i'm sorry for my weak english, in swedish i might have to be understand...
First saw folks poling in Denamrk in 2005 and I was hooked. My 3 friends and I ,ages 48 to 66 years, walk every weekday 6:30 a.m. So good for relieving stress to old hips and knees and gives us 'buns of steel'. Winter has its challenges but we bundle up. walking at Myrtle Beach in Fall, sweet! this has changed my exercise routine from inside a gym to enjoying the outdoors and now I will try ''double poling'' Katleen in Niagara
It's great for my vestibular migraine vertigo and thanks to them, I can actually go out and exercise and do something rather than sitting at home and be scared of falling when walking outside. For everyone who says Nordic walking is stupid, your thinking is rather rigid.
Great instruction, there is certainly a knack to getting the most out of nordic walking. The reason why there is a qualification of master trainer for nordic walking is to enable safe and effective instruction for people with a whole range of medical conditions. So it's not ridiculous that someone can be considered a master, as the top comment suggests.
Well I for one find it helpful, I'm in my 70's through playing compact sports until my 50's, have knee and hamstring problems, these take some of your weight off your legs, I can now walk faster and longer with Nordic poles, which is good for your cardiovascular system, they are good for someone with similar problems.
It is certainly a very good exercise, so people could try it before talking. There are several techniques, some people put the poles in front, which I find very tough on my shoulders. I always use the technique in this video: keep poles behind!
The "Nordic Striding" is the way to do it. Correct done it is harmonic and soft for your body. It also increases your without-pole-jogging velocity, due the sthrengten lower back and legs.
I use poles for hiking all the time and nice technique video, but halfway thru I cant help but be reminded of: Monty Pythons Ministry of Silly Walks ! -------------------------------------------------------------- Keep on Truckin' mates!
@miketh2005 It's not the same thing, you use your whole body this way by swinging your arms and using muscles there too. When I first started I really felt the difference :)
I have been backpacking, day hiking and Nordic Walking using these same techniques with standard Leki poles for a lot of years. I will never understand why specific poles are recommended for this. Except,,, of course the profit for the company's selling the poles. Any pole or walking stick would work. I have even tried this with properly sized canes commenly used by disabled people. As long as you can get the correct angle in your fore arm.
@asm6ekyu they banned nordic walkers for the very reason that you and i love the englischer garten - it's a lovely big open space with a great easy vibe where everyone enjoys themselves, but the problem is that when these clown turn up they only ever seem to do so in large groups (for protection i assume, they get too much stick when out alone) and they stride grim-faced along the paths, tracks and over open ground forcing everyone to meander around them, so they got banned for peace's sake
Anyone else out there think high tech walking sticks are a waste of money and resources? I still have both my walking sticks that are 36 years old and were custom made to my requirements and specifications. I should mention that they are 100 percent biodegradable and did not require mineral or petrochemical extraction or use any source of energy accept solar to produce. Yes folks, they are, you guessed it, sticks. Free sticks! The added bonus is they naturally reproduce in approx. 2 years.
What is your point, that you bought them and don't use them. The rest of us know it as a wonderful fitness method, a way to rebuild from injuries, and as a coach, I can tell you of countless people who have lost weight and gained mobility because of them.
I can see where your coming from, but for people of a certain age with mobility restrictions they give you freedom, that for me compensates for looking ridiculous.
@/X/EN you know nothing about life. What about people with vertigo, after strokes, with major stability issues, MS? Go back to your little narrowminded head and stay there.
you mean to say there's actually an "academy of nordic walking" for this utter tosh? i in munich they've now banned nordic walkers from its biggest park, wise people there
fizzyfrogfrappe calling people "wierd" with that avatar and a guy that picks up iron and sets it back down till he can't run right wondering how someone can be a "master" of simple techniques. How ironic.