Nordic Walking

epazia

Does anyone have experience with this? Is it hype? or a recommended way of improving walking quality?

Blokeypoo

I've been using poles and nordic style for over 10yrs and have got very strong arms now. I have also found them invaluable on long high mountain walks and definitely have achieved summits I might not have without them!

ETA I used them purely for performance in mountain walking or long days out not wt loss or local walks.

rainbowbow

What are you hoping to achieve? Cardio is cardio IMHO. This looks like walking but raising heart rate slightly because your using your arms as well.

flumi_f

If it's a hype, it's a long one... Big in Switzerland since about 10yrs or more.

Although I run now, I did nordic walking several times a week for many years. It is a great cardio work out and trains alot of different muscles all at the same time. I had the possiblity to walk uphill for about half of my 1-1.5hr sessions. That increased my stamina and my burns. I know several people, that have gotten rid of their chronic back pain by using nordic walking regularly.

Not a hype, but I would recommend a course or instruction by someone that knows what you have to watch out for. It is easy to learn, but it is important, that the poles are the right length and telescoping hiking poles aren't very good for nordic walking. They are usually to heavy and vibrate more than a nordic walking pole. Poles with a high carbon content have a better performance, than those with no or a low carbon content. Also the technique of holding and letting go of the poles as you walk is important in order to profit from the benefits and not hurt yourself.

epazia

Awesome information, thank you, is something that I am hoping to work up to at some point in my long journey.:drinker:

keelybird57

My knees don't like "just" walking. But with nordic poles, I can walk as far as I want with no pain during or after. And my arms get a work out! I had one hour of training. Very easy to use.