As an increasingly popular form of working out, Nordic Walking has grown in popularity far outside of just Scandinavia. Today, this form of exercise has become a very engaging form of full-body walking exercise. By holding a pole in both hands, you use a variety of upper and body muscles to move around the chosen destination. Before you get started, though, consider the following potential issues.
The speed is not important
Most walking exercises are built around the idea of pace and endurance, yet that is not really the case with Nordic Walking. It is actually more about getting the technique right. It is the as any exercise, though; it is better to do it right than to do it fast. This exercise, though, does not matter if it takes you hours to finish – it is about making sure you walk properly and engage muscle groups.
This burns a lot of calories
Compared to a normal walk, Nordic Walking can burn close to 50% more calories. This makes it a great exercise to do, but if you are someone who is living on a calorie deficit this could have a negative impact on you in time. This is more demanding than going for a standard walk, and with that in mind, we highly recommend you make sure you have enough energy to complete the walk accordingly.
There is no age or skill gap
Whether you are young or old or you are a skilled walker or not, you can benefit from this exercise regime. Do not worry that you need to build up some kind of skill level beforehand. You will make mistakes and you have to learn the form you are supposed to take. Once you get that particular aspect down, though, it is much easier to keep on walking as you would have desired.
Take a longer walk over a shorter trip
Given time is not the aim here, you should look to take yourself on a long walk. It is better to walk for a couple of hours than a quick 10-20 minute walking session. So, try and find a walk that you can go on that feels comfortable and that you know the path so you can make your way back. The longer the walk, though, the better; you will get more benefits from the walk, and you will spend a more enjoyable time outdoors.