It’s spread to Alaska. You see them everywhere. People walking around with walking sticks in each hand. What is going on? Well, a friend of mine recently introduced me to Nordic Walking, and I love it. Let me tell you about it!
Nordic walking has been around for years, but mainly in Europe. Now it is becoming wildly popular in the United States, and for good reason. When you walk with these ski style poles, you are using your upper body as well as your lower body, so it is much more of a workout than walking alone. You increase your body’s circulation, help build upper body strength, increase your heart and lung capacity when done aerobically, you burn up to 40% more fat, have a 20% higher metabolic rate over simple walking, and you put 30% less stress on your knee joints. The poles also help support and balance you, especially if you are on rocky, slippery or any rough terrain.
There are many different kinds of ski walking poles, from the inexpensive $10 collapsable poles to the brands that charge $200. I was told not to get the type that break down into smaller sections. These are easy for storing and transporting, but they are not as safe. A friend has been using poles made by Swix Sport, which can be purchased online for $70.00. She let me borrow her poles, and it only took two walks and I was convinced.
When you place your order, you will give them your height in inches, and they will send you poles that are the proper height for you. I am 5′ 2″ tall and I use poles that are 110 cm. They have a nice non-slip grip around the handle, as well as a padded strap that your hand slips into easily. There are boot shaped rubber tips included, which are removeable, but I like to keep them on, it gives me more stability.
The Swix Sport ski walking poles also come with a DVD explaining how to use them, and how to get the most out of your walk. These poles are made of lightweight aluminum alloy materials, and the one piece construction means they won’t collapse on me. This brand is actually made in Lillehammer Norway. You can buy the cheaper poles that have the twist lock feature that gives them adjustable, telescoping, or collapsable abilities, but you often get what you pay for.
Nordic walking is great exercise, and it’s great for people of all ages and fitness levels. I am 52 and have about 20 pounds to lose, but exercise is difficult because I injured my knee two years ago. I was skeptical of the nordic walking, but it really does what it says, I can walk two miles with these poles without my knee hurting, they really do help take some of the stress and strain off of my bad knee.
We all know that walking is good exercise, but these allow for a good low impact exercise that actually burns more fat and calories and it works both the lower and upper body at the same time. I love my Swix Sport ski walking poles, and now I understand why other people are so enthused about this new form of exercise. I also feel safer walking when I have the two poles in my hands. I am always worried about a stray dog, or in Alaska even moose. At least the poles give me some form of protection, better than having nothing with me. In a word, I love these poles. After just a couple days of using these, I can feel the muscle soreness in my hips and buttocks, muscles that aren’t really used much with normal every day walking. If you haven’t tried them, don’t knock them!
