Benefits of Nordic Walking

Many fitness walkers do not like the feeling of exerting them selves... however, the best health benefits come from moderate intensity workout rather than an easy workout. Nordic Walking raises the heart rate into the MODERATE INTENSITY ZONE without the person feeling like he/she is working any harder. It might not feel like that, but it’s very true!     Nordic Walking is... For people who want more efficient workout than walking or don't like to run anymore or need more variation in their exercise routines Ø      Nordic Walking with proper technique is 46% more effective than normal walking (Cooper Institute study in Dallas 2002). Ø      Nordic Walking is a good cardio workout. It increases heart rate and oxygen consumption and calorie expenditure without increasing your preventive rate of exertion. It consumes about 400 calories per hour and normal walking 280 calories per hour. Ø      Nordic Walking is really a total body workout because it involves 90% of all muscles.   For people who have tension in shoulder and neck region and/ or rounded shoulder Ø      Proper arm motion can relieve neck and shoulder tension while toning upper body muscles Ø      Rotating your torso while walking improves your posture, poles keep chest more open while keeping shoulders in correct position.   For people who suffer from back pain or/and bad posture Ø      Nordic Walking is associated with increased rotation of the spine more than normal walking. Motion on the back feeds your spine because it increases blood circulation. Ø      Nordic Walking can reduce back pain and improve spinal mobility as well as improve your posture.   For people with joint problems (ankle, knee, hip) or joint disease, degeneration and people who are recovering from orthopedic surgery Ø      Nordic Walking poles provide additional stability and balance for your joint. It helps reduce stress in knees and other joints. Ø      Nordic Walking assists in bearing your body weight   For people who want to lose weight Ø      Nordic Walking is safe and effective way to lose weight. Ø      Nordic Walking saves your joints by bearing your weight, it does not aggravate knees like running do. Ø      Nordic Walking burns more calories than walking without feeling that you are exercising any harder. Ø      Nordic Walking exertion is in the fat-burning zone.       Summa Summarum... Nordic walking is suitable for people of all ages, shapes and sizes. It’s something for everybody and you can decide how hard you want to work with the walking poles.