NORDIC WALKING BENEFITS AND HISTORY OF NORDIC WALKING POLES

Just a few of the reasons increasing numbers of people are taking up nordic walking by FITTREK.

• Burn up to 40% more calories during your walk, and up to 75% more with our LPI system.

• Reduce impact stress to your knees and lower joints.

• Reduce heel strike force by up to 30%.

• Turn walking into a total-body workout, strengthening your upper body while you walk.

• Exercise difficulty can be adjusted to the fitness level of the individual.

HISTORY OF NORDIC WALKING POLES

Nordic walking evolved from “dry land” training techniques of Nordic skiers. Athletes would use the poles to mimic Nordic skiing arm motions while striding, running or walking. In the late 80’s this use of poles begin crossing over to the fitness enthusiast as the benefits became more recognized. Nordic walking grew the quickest in Norwegian areas where more people are familiar with Nordic style skiing. In the 90’s the concept “crossed the big pond” as fitness enthusiast and health clubs in Canada and the U.S. discovered the benefits of walking with poles.

While nordic walking remains the most popular term to describe the activity, several names and descriptions have evolved as the activity continues to grow. The common thread of most of the variations is the use of specifically designed walking poles for the purpose of increasing the exercise benefits of walking and/or to reduce lower body stress while walking.

Some of the other popular terms used to describe nordic walking are: Pole walking, nordic pole walking, fitness walking with poles, walking with poles, Exerstriding™ and Urban Poling™.

As more manufactures and entrepreneurs become involved in nordic walking the descriptions of the equipment has taken on new variations as they “put there mark” on it. It is likely someone new to the sport will hear or see nordic walking poles described as walking sticks, walking poles, fitness walking poles and fitness walking sticks to name a few.

No matter what you call it, or where it originated Nordic Walking is an excellent choice to improve ones fitness level and quality of life.