Nordic walking
Discussion
I have always walked a lot. Walk at work, to work, around London and walk the dog for miles.
Having got fed up with gyms and the cost I found myself not doing much targeted exercise. I HATE running and have 'a knee' which is not really up to the job so I have entered a walking marathon later in the year called Shine and I'm getting very focussed on walking for exercise.
Combined with stopping smoking last September I am really feeling the benefits.
Anyway, I read about Nordic Walking and thought I'd give it a go, using some walking poles that I had already. For those that don't know it's basically walking with 2 poles, but using them in a specific way. I found the technique easy enough to pick up. It's designed to ease some of the stress through knees and ankles, allow you to maintain a higher pace than normal (in my case through increased stride length) but it gives you an upper body and core workout at the same time.
Bearing in mind how little effort is used through the poles and how small the arm and hand movements are I have to say that I am amazed at the effects, particularly on the upper body and core.
I am sitting here after a 3.5 miles nordic walk through Epping Forest yesterday and I feel like I spent that time in the weights room at the gym. I have now got some correct poles which make things even better.
I just need to get over feeling like a bit of a knob and I'll try it on the streets as well.
Anyone else tried this; I can't recommend it enough?
Having got fed up with gyms and the cost I found myself not doing much targeted exercise. I HATE running and have 'a knee' which is not really up to the job so I have entered a walking marathon later in the year called Shine and I'm getting very focussed on walking for exercise.
Combined with stopping smoking last September I am really feeling the benefits.
Anyway, I read about Nordic Walking and thought I'd give it a go, using some walking poles that I had already. For those that don't know it's basically walking with 2 poles, but using them in a specific way. I found the technique easy enough to pick up. It's designed to ease some of the stress through knees and ankles, allow you to maintain a higher pace than normal (in my case through increased stride length) but it gives you an upper body and core workout at the same time.
Bearing in mind how little effort is used through the poles and how small the arm and hand movements are I have to say that I am amazed at the effects, particularly on the upper body and core.
I am sitting here after a 3.5 miles nordic walk through Epping Forest yesterday and I feel like I spent that time in the weights room at the gym. I have now got some correct poles which make things even better.
I just need to get over feeling like a bit of a knob and I'll try it on the streets as well.
Anyone else tried this; I can't recommend it enough?
You can even go on a course to learn to do it proper: http://www.nordicwalking.co.uk/find
Relative of mine just did and has waxed lyrical ever since
Relative of mine just did and has waxed lyrical ever since
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