Sports You’ve Never Heard Of Volume 1: Nordic Walking
You might think these people look ridiculous. And you’d be right. But they are actually partaking in a sport called Nordic Walking.
What is Nordic Walking? Well, it’s basically just normal walking only now you look like a massive tool. Also, you use ski poles for no good reason.
Part of me can’t believe this isn’t already an Olympic sport.
On November 29th 2008, Mike wrote:
Yes, they make you look like a tool in the city, but on long hikes, with a heavy load on your back, the poles make a huge difference.
On November 29th 2008, Claire Walter wrote:
Do a little research. In Europe, where something like 10 million Europeans Nordic Walk, these people don’t look foolish. They look smart, because people know the aerobic, calorie burning and upper body workout boost that vigorous Nordic Walking provides. The couple in the top picture are crossing a city street, but the bottom picture shows someone who is using true Nordic Walking poles and clearly getting a workout.
Note that regardless of what that couple is using, true Nordic Walking poles are similar to, but not the same as, either downhill or cross-country ski poles (or trekking/hiking poles for that matter).
Claire @ http://nordic-walking-usa.blogspot.com
On November 30th 2008, Pete Edwards wrote:
Nordic Walking may look silly, but walking with poles has HUGE benefits and over 6 million Europeans are Nordic Walking – walking with poles! Walking with poles burns more calories than regular walking. The poles also help to reduce the stress to the weight bearing joints. The poles also improve balance and stability.
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.
One-piece poles are safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap twist-locking adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles.
Walking with poles is the best – NO snow and NO skis required.
Nordic Walking, Ski Walking and hill bounding with poles are no longer just for expert skiers deprived of snow during the summer.
For more info about Nordic Walking with poles contact: The American Nordic Walking System and http://WWW.SKIWALKING.COM
On November 30th 2008, Terry D. Kennedy wrote:
You are witnessing Fitness Innovation being birthed here, and it will come with all kinds of looks. In the over 35years of competing, training, coaching, and leading in innovation in Sport, Fitness & Health I can with confidence say, that you are looking at the Next Fitness Wave. For almost 30 years I managed at that time, 2 of the largest fitness chains in Ga & Fl, which have been part of several significant fitness waves.
Do you remember the Waffle & Nike? Do you remember the Harvard Step & Step Reebok? Well now we see Nordic Pole Walking & stay tuned ….
Nordic Pole Walking is in many respects, simply X-Country Skiing without the snow and of course and the added distance per pole stroke. In fact the origin of Nordic Pole Walking was off season training for those whom were X-Skiers. That makes sense, right…
The greatest calorie burn is documented in Dr. Cooper’s book Aerobics indexed as X-Country Skiing. Be prepared for the Worldwide Walking Wave tm to gain another advocate. The fact is that most of our modernized populations are now reaching the highest weight gains, along with deteriorating health.
So come and catch the wave, no matter that the Generic – Nordic Pole Walking may be Branded – Ski Walking, Trekking, and on and on. To be honest it is no different than you loving a particular flavor in ice cream, a brand of bike you ride or countless other good brands. The key is will You use it, will You tell others, will You be passionate doing it…
The company that I work with is launching “Balance Walking” which has its foundation built around the “rocker bottom soled shoe” called a Chung Shi. Without being sales y let me say join in today. As an Ex Physiologist I know that with entire societies that are sitting in front of their PCs making wider loads … It is Time To Move… And doing it with a great ROI is just 2 poles in your hands away…
Terry D. Kennedy
http://www.balancewalking.com
http://www.footsolutions.com