f you want an outdoor activity which combines the pleasures of walking for weight loss with easy full body exercise Nordic walking is the way to go.
Created in Finland as a way for cross country skiers to train in summer Nordic walking ,which can be defined as fitness walking with poles, benefit’s the whole body. It uses 90% of your muscles and can burn 45% more calories than ordinary walking. It exercises the upper body as well as the leg muscles and is an easy and comfortable way of obtaining an overall workout.
It is good cardiovascular exercise, increasing your heartbeat by 5-17 times per minute more than by normal walking. You can also increase upper body muscle endurance by 38% in just twelve weeks. US research has shown that the feeling of well being derived from Nordic Walking can result in a decrease in mood swings, anger and depression.
It is variously reported that there are between 3.5 million and 10 million active Nordic walkers in Europe. It is now spreading world wide and there are groups in Australia, Japan, the USA and many other countries.
Benefits include:
Cardiovascular improvement.
Burning more calories.
Improved balance and stability - particularly useful for older persons.
Provides density preserving stress to bones.
Strengthens the back and abdominal muscles, relieving back pain and improving bad posture.
Decreases impact on joints - ankle, knee, hip - and assists people recovering from orthopaedic surgery.
Reduces heel strike force.
Helps eliminate tension in shoulder and neck.
So the benefits are numerous, and it is particularly helpful for older people, who may have given up jogging but who wish to carry on with a form of exercise which gives them real fitness benefits.
Equipment:
An increasing number of sports shops stock Nordic walking poles. When buying them it helps to seek expert advice. Poles must be carefully chosen to suit the walker’s height and reach and if possible an hour’s training helps to get used to using them. A fixed length pole is best, as poles should be light and adjustable mechanism increases weight. It is also a point of weakness and if a pole breaks it can cause injury.
Most have grips for easy use, removable rubber tips for hard surfaces and metal tips for walking elsewhere. Poles are usually made from aluminium, carbon fibre or composite materials.
Join a Club.
Walking for weight loss can be a lot of fun in a group or with a walking buddy. There are Nordic Walking groups springing up in most countries, but if there is not one near you any walking group would be sure to welcome Nordic walkers. Then, if other people are interested, you might be able to form a Nordic walking group of your own. This activity is here to stay and will get bigger over the years, bringing fitness benefits to all ages world wide.
Created in Finland as a way for cross country skiers to train in summer Nordic walking ,which can be defined as fitness walking with poles, benefit’s the whole body. It uses 90% of your muscles and can burn 45% more calories than ordinary walking. It exercises the upper body as well as the leg muscles and is an easy and comfortable way of obtaining an overall workout.
It is good cardiovascular exercise, increasing your heartbeat by 5-17 times per minute more than by normal walking. You can also increase upper body muscle endurance by 38% in just twelve weeks. US research has shown that the feeling of well being derived from Nordic Walking can result in a decrease in mood swings, anger and depression.
It is variously reported that there are between 3.5 million and 10 million active Nordic walkers in Europe. It is now spreading world wide and there are groups in Australia, Japan, the USA and many other countries.
Benefits include:
Cardiovascular improvement.
Burning more calories.
Improved balance and stability - particularly useful for older persons.
Provides density preserving stress to bones.
Strengthens the back and abdominal muscles, relieving back pain and improving bad posture.
Decreases impact on joints - ankle, knee, hip - and assists people recovering from orthopaedic surgery.
Reduces heel strike force.
Helps eliminate tension in shoulder and neck.
So the benefits are numerous, and it is particularly helpful for older people, who may have given up jogging but who wish to carry on with a form of exercise which gives them real fitness benefits.
Equipment:
An increasing number of sports shops stock Nordic walking poles. When buying them it helps to seek expert advice. Poles must be carefully chosen to suit the walker’s height and reach and if possible an hour’s training helps to get used to using them. A fixed length pole is best, as poles should be light and adjustable mechanism increases weight. It is also a point of weakness and if a pole breaks it can cause injury.
Most have grips for easy use, removable rubber tips for hard surfaces and metal tips for walking elsewhere. Poles are usually made from aluminium, carbon fibre or composite materials.
Join a Club.
Walking for weight loss can be a lot of fun in a group or with a walking buddy. There are Nordic Walking groups springing up in most countries, but if there is not one near you any walking group would be sure to welcome Nordic walkers. Then, if other people are interested, you might be able to form a Nordic walking group of your own. This activity is here to stay and will get bigger over the years, bringing fitness benefits to all ages world wide.
0 Comments