Okay let's go! Chernogolovsky Nordic Walking Club. Nordic walking with poles - reviews, contraindications and choice of equipment How to walk with Nordic walking poles

Aerobics outdoors is much more effective than in the gym. You can practice anything. For me, these are: Nordic walking, Cross running and Mountain biking, which are ideal for interval bursts. A little about Nordic walking:

Nordic walking. Surprise from Scandinavia

Nordic pole walking is a form of exercise that involves walking outdoors with a modified pair of ski poles. In the late 1990s it became popular all over the world. There are also names like “Nordic walking” and “Finnish walking”.

No one knows where skiing was born. However, who would argue that the most avid skiers in the world are Scandinavians? At first we walked on skis and only then began to glide using poles. The custom of traveling on skis is so deeply ingrained in Scandinavian everyday life that even in the summer Scandinavians began to walk using ski poles. And this is much more convenient when it comes to long passages with large elevation differences. Thanks to the poles, the upper body is involved in walking, and this optimizes and facilitates movement, especially uphill. These days, fitness gurus have declared Nordic walking a fundamentally new type of aerobics. Mastering this kind of aerobics is as easy as shelling pears: stick sticks into the ground in winter style, that’s all. They say that walking poles must be special. But this is clearly an overexposure. Regular ski boots will do. Nordic walking is indeed an interesting form of sports leisure. All you need, besides the poles, is a pair of sturdy boots and a water bottle. American bodybuilders immediately fell in love with the new sport and widely use it instead of boring traditional aerobics, especially since climbing a mountain becomes a real athletic test. Everyone knows that during aerobics fat “burns” in contact with inhaled oxygen. So Nordic walking, like aerobics, is an order of magnitude more effective than that in the gym. After all, there is certainly more oxygen in the open air, forest or mountain.

The main thing to remember is that when practicing Nordic walking, the load on the body is greater than during normal walking. Therefore, in order not to harm the body through excessive stress, it is necessary to monitor your well-being during and after Nordic walking. Especially for people with various health problems.

Monitoring your well-being is the same as when doing other types of aerobic exercises associated with aerobic exercise, since there are contraindications for Nordic walking. Advice for those who have health problems: count your pulse and measure your blood pressure before and after training. For better control, keep a diary of your achievements and blood pressure readings. The best advisor for you will be your internal well-being. If Nordic walking brings you joy, it means you have taken a thorough approach to walking. A good release of joy hormones, which are produced during Nordic walking, tone you up not only at the moment of work, but also charge you with energy for the next day or two. Your well-being, like a litmus test, will help you stay in the right mode and make timely adjustments in Nordic walking classes.

Nordic walking is recommended as one of the types of rehabilitation for people suffering from high blood pressure, if there are no contraindications. Therefore, as we have found out, the load during Nordic walking is always higher, which means it must be increased extremely carefully, slowly, recording your achievements in a self-control diary.

The benefits of Nordic walking.

Nordic walking simultaneously maintains muscle tone in the upper and lower body.
- Trains about 90% of all muscles in your body.
- Burns up to 46% more calories than regular walking.
- Reduces pressure on the knees and spine when walking.
- Improves the functioning of the heart and lungs, increases heart rate by 10-15 beats per minute compared to normal walking.
- Ideal for correcting posture and solving neck and shoulder problems.
- Helps you climb uphill.
- Improves sense of balance and coordination.
- An effective exercise for athletes who need constant training of the cardiovascular system and endurance.
- Returns people with musculoskeletal problems to a full life.
- It does not require special training - anyone can practice Nordic walking.
- During aerobic exercise of Nordic walking, almost all muscle groups work - legs, thighs, arms and shoulder girdle, abdomen. Additionally, the muscles of the neck, chest and back develop, which is especially important for those who sit at a desk in an office all day.
- This is an excellent prevention of osteoporosis! In addition, during Nordic walking with ski poles, the musculoskeletal and vestibular system, the cardiovascular system are strengthened, the body is hardened, and immunity is increased. Walking with poles helps to cope with neurasthenia and insomnia, relieves nervous tension, improves sleep and well-being, and increases performance. Therefore, psychiatrists recommend Nordic walking with poles to patients with depression.
- More calories are burned than during normal walking - due to working arms.
- Sticks reduce the load on the joints, which is important for people with problem knees.
- For fans of Nordic walking, blood viscosity decreases, therefore, the risk of thrombosis and heart attacks decreases.
- Fans of Nordic walking activate their metabolism, accelerate fat metabolism, and the level of endorphins in the blood increases 5 times!

Forward to the heights of mastery. Walking equipment:

I advise you to choose special poles (Nordic poles), clothes, and shoes that are comfortable and appropriate for the season. Nordics can only be purchased at a specialized sports store.

There are two types of poles: fixed length and telescopic. Nordics can be distinguished by the materials from which they are made: aluminum, aluminum with carbon, 100% carbon poles, carbon fiber with carbon. For convenience, they all have hand straps.

According to the recommendations of experts, the height of the poles depends on your height. Sticks are selected using a simple formula: multiply height by a factor of 0.68 (±5 cm).
Example:
Height 180 cm
The length of the sticks is (180 * 0.68), which is 122 cm (±5 cm).
It must be borne in mind that the higher the length of the poles, the greater the load on certain muscles of the body. Using poles of the wrong length can put undue stress on your knees, ankles and back.

Nordic walking technique:

When walking, we stand on the heel and then on the toe;
one arm is extended forward and slightly bent at the elbow, while the stick is held at an angle;
the other hand is at the level of the pelvis and reaches back;
repeat.

How to breathe correctly when Nordic walking with poles?

Breathing is one of the most important physiological processes during power loads. Proper breathing is one of the most important conditions when performing physical exercises. BUT there are no such serious restrictions for Nordic walking. That is why it has become so widespread among the masses.

Everything will happen naturally, as during normal walking. We breathe through our nose. As the pace of movement increases, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Throughout the entire lesson, we try to keep our breathing calm and even. We remember our school years and physical education teachers. The rules he droned on in class. Inhalation and exhalation should be 1:1.5-2, that is, inhale in two steps, exhale in three to four steps. We use army methods of training - talking with an interlocutor, singing a song, etc. From the outside it’s funny, but in reality it improves ventilation of the lungs, greater saturation of the blood, better burning of subcutaneous fat, increased endurance.

How to use Nordic walking?

Find a 250 meter long uphill climb. Climb to the top at a moderate pace. Go down without stopping. Rest a little and start climbing again, but at a faster pace. While accelerating, alternate between uphills and downhills for 20 minutes. Then arrange a “cool down” in the form of a 5-10 minute walk on a flat surface.

If you hate diets, and the thought of counting calories makes you bored, if you don’t like long hours of training in the gym and don’t have the energy to exercise in the morning, then it’s time to take a closer look at a new method of sports training - Nordic walking.

It was patented in 1997 by the Finnish Mark Kantanom, and since then its popularity has been growing year by year. This is not surprising: walking allows you to keep yourself in shape, get rid of extra pounds, and serves as a prevention of cardiovascular diseases. What else are the benefits of this sport, reviews of walking with poles, and contraindications, you will learn about all this from our article.

What it is?

The idea for a new sport arose from Finnish skiers who were preparing for winter competitions in the summer. Mentors noticed that training with ski poles allowed athletes to perform better than their competitors. From Finland, the new discipline spread to other Scandinavian countries and Europe, and special tracks were even created for its adherents.

The main difference between Nordic walking and other sports disciplines is that it puts stress on 90% of the muscles of the human body.

An hour of training allows you to burn one and a half times more calories than 60 minutes or classical walking.

A useful exercise is based on the following principles:

always start with a warm-up using sticks: bending over, squats, stretching;
you need to maintain correct posture: your back is straight, your body is slightly tilted forward, your legs are slightly bent;
inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth;
steps are taken by rolling from heel to toe;
The workout ends with stretching exercises to calm your breathing.

The frequency of classes is determined individually, taking into account the physical condition and level of training of the person. The pace is chosen so that it does not overtire the athlete, but helps to achieve the intended results.

Watch the video of how Nordic walking helped you lose 55 kg in one year:

What are the benefits of walking with poles?

If you measure body height in the morning and in the evening, you will find that the first indicator will be greater. This is understandable: at night our body is horizontal, which reduces the effect of gravity on it and reduces intervertebral pressure. Our internal organs and joints rest, their pressure on the spine decreases.

Nordic walking involves the use of poles, which become an “extension” of the arms. Their use reduces the load on the knees, feet, and lower parts, which has a positive effect on their condition.

During training, 45% more muscles are used than when running, which leads to more intense calorie burning.

A simple exercise is the best option for those who want to get rid of extra pounds without exhausting workouts in the gym. It is enough to choose the right pace and intensity of training.

scoliosis;
osteochondrosis;
overweight;
vegetative-vascular dystonia;
respiratory tract diseases;
parkinsonism;
insomnia;
constipation and others.

Walking plays the role of an antidepressant.

They stimulate the production of hormones responsible for a positive attitude and good mood. One Londoner saw a psychologist twice a week and took antidepressants for two years. Nordic walking helped her forget about psychological problems and their long-term treatment.

Nordic walking against heart disease

The heart is supplied with blood through arteries, through which oxygen and nutrients enter it. For various reasons, the walls of these vessels may narrow, and fewer useful elements enter the vital organ than required. He is forced to work with the release of breakdown products, which leads to pain, shortness of breath, and the need to take medications or surgery.

Nordic walking helps counter this trend. During long hours of walking, oxygen consumption increases significantly compared to the resting state. To meet increased needs, the cardiovascular system works more intensely, its tone increases. Due to the increased stress on the body, the veins and blood vessels, which previously almost ceased their action due to a sedentary lifestyle, are put back into action.

Benefits for the elderly

reduces the level of “bad” cholesterol and blood pressure;
increases mobility;
normalizes metabolism;
improves oxygen supply to the heart and brain;
increases life expectancy after a heart attack or stroke;
reduces pain in diseases of the spine.

In Europe, walking with poles is popular among retirees. It’s not for nothing that fitness instructors call this sport “walking for the elderly.”

Is there any harm?

It is included in the list of rehabilitation measures after injuries. The number of its contraindications is minimal:

heart failure;
bleeding during pregnancy;
inflammation in the pelvic area;
joint diseases;
any infections;
cold with high fever.

People who suffer from hypertension should consult a doctor before starting exercise to determine the optimal frequency and intensity.

Nordic walking can only be harmful if you do it despite contraindications.

In all other cases, it is useful: it gives a boost of energy, good mood and well-being, and serves as a preventive measure for many diseases.

Who do you think was the first to come up with such an interesting way of walking? Of course, skiers! Finnish. In the summer, skiingYou are not like the forests, but it was necessary to maintain sports shape. Before us, the fashion for Nordic walking, apparently,I also walked, and today Finnish walking is a craze among those who...

Because it turned out:

1. Walking with poles is very useful!
2. Walking with poles is easy! You just need to connect
moving your arms and legs with your breathing.
3. Walking with poles is accessible! No long term required
preparation, no need for expensive equipment.
It is enough to buy special sticks.

What other advantages does Nordic walking have?
1. There are no age restrictions. On the contrary, the older a person is, the more
will be useful. Pregnant women can too.
2. You can walk all year round: in winter and summer, as well as in spring and autumn.
3. There are practically no contraindications.
4.You don’t need a gym to exercise, you can go alone, you can
join a group. Parks, squares, forests, fields and mountains, river or sea banks - everything
will do.
5. Rarely useful things are pleasant. But not in this case. Walking tours with
Canes are both enjoyable and beneficial both for general health and for weight loss purposes.
If you walk regularly, you won’t notice how the volumes go away.

What are the benefits of walking with poles?

1.When walking, almost all muscles are involved. After all, you not only walk with your feet,
but also actively move your arms and shoulders, breathe deeply.
2. The load is distributed evenly across the upper and lower muscles.
3. Regular walking is inferior in terms of energy expenditure.
4. Breathing strengthens, shortness of breath disappears, pulse increases,
blush.
5. The load on the knees and spine is greatly reduced. For this reason, walking
has become widespread among older people, among people with
solid weight, and among those for whom heavy physical activity is prohibited.

But that's not all!

Simple walks with special poles will help improve coordination, form correct posture, increase the body's endurance, and strengthen the muscles of the arms, legs, chest and shoulders. It is very important that walking increases the strength of bone mass,
and this will certainly reduce the risk of fractures.

Fresh air makes activities pleasant and beneficial. Walking strengthens your nerves and improves your psyche.

With the help of a regular walk, it is easy to restore peace of mind.

When walking, which involves the arms, hormones are more actively produced, which have a positive effect on mood. Classes in a group of like-minded people fill you with pleasant emotions.

Since walks take place in nature, the beauty of the landscape has a beneficial effect on the psyche, the mood improves dramatically and performance increases.

In general, if your skis are worn out, then you are on trend! Being healthy is
fashionable!

Nordic walking (Nordic Walking, Finnish, Nordic walking) is a popular type of physical activity based on a specific walking technique using special poles that look like ski poles. The technique has gained worldwide popularity since the late 90s. The principle of movement is based on the summer exercises of skiers.

The history of Nordic walking

Walking with poles appeared a long time ago. Pilgrims also used similar supports when overcoming rough terrain. In physical therapy methods, sticks have been used for a long time to improve health and rehabilitation after illness.

Close to the modern version of Nordic Walking, this type of walking first appeared in 1940 in Finland and was used by professional skiers to stay in shape outside of training.

The primacy of the method of walking with poles as an independent, amateur sport is disputed by Mauri Rapo (his method is described in the article “Hiihdon lajiosa” in 1979) and Mark Kantan (a similar article “Sauvakävely” in 1997). However, the name was patented by Mark Cantan - it was he who wrote and published the first manual on Nordic Walking.

In the late 90s, walking technique was transformed into an independent sport and became popularized throughout the world.

This unusual sport came to Russia relatively recently, but has already become an effective alternative to running. The fact is that the movements involve almost all muscle groups (up to 90%, whereas during normal walking no more than 70%), which leads to strengthening of the body as a whole, the spine and joints in particular. Moreover, the muscles of the back and upper shoulder girdle actively work, which does not happen during normal walks. Reliance on equipment allows you to reduce the load on the hip and knee joints, as well as on the foot.

The benefits of Nordic walking have been proven and undeniable, however, the technique has its limitations associated with the dosage and intensity of exercise for various diseases, and therefore requires consultation with a doctor before starting classes.

Indications

There are many indications for this type of amateur sport. For example, in Germany, Nordic walking is a mandatory element of all rehabilitation programs after surgical interventions on the musculoskeletal system. Patients in German clinics who have undergone hip arthroplasty return to their normal pace of life just a month after the operation thanks to walking with poles.

The greatest effectiveness is observed in the following conditions:

excess body weight;
mild pathologies of the respiratory system;
disorders of the musculoskeletal system: osteochondrosis, scoliosis in adults and children, and is also used as a prevention of osteoporosis;
diseases of blood vessels and heart, as well as the prevention of hypertension, atherosclerosis;
depression, neuroses;
Parkinson's disease;
sleep disorders;
vegetative-vascular dystonia;
recovery period after surgery.

In terms of load, walking is classified as cardio training, i.e., first of all, it strengthens the heart muscle, which means it requires approval from a doctor in case of diseases of the lungs and cardiovascular system. The technique has no age indications and is especially popular among people of retirement age.

Features of choosing equipment and equipment for classes

In order for the effectiveness of training to be maximum, you need:

comfortable sportswear according to the weather;
shoes for walking or special for running;
sticks.

For winter activities, clothing that is used for skiing is suitable, for example, thin thermal underwear that will keep you warm in severe frost, and winter ski overalls. In summer you can wear a tracksuit, comfortable T-shirts and shorts. As for shoes, sneakers should provide good and firm support to the foot area and have a dense but flexible sole. You should also wear two pairs of cotton socks to avoid blisters.

Selection of poles

The first special poles were released by Exel Oyj in 1997. The length of the poles is selected individually by multiplying the person’s height by a special coefficient of 0.7. All monolithic Nordic walking poles have standard sizes with a difference of 5 cm. If the resulting number is intermediate, the result should be rounded depending on the person’s physical fitness:

a shorter length is preferable for beginners, as well as people with contraindications to significant stress on the spine;
Longer poles place additional stress on the back and arms, so they are suitable for trained athletes.

There are also special telescopic poles on sale, which allows them to be used by all family members, and especially by children - the equipment will grow with them. The best material is carbon. Products made from aluminum alloys will be somewhat cheaper.

The equipment is expensive - a set of poles costs from 3,000 rubles, so you should buy them in accordance with your height and physical capabilities, and treat them with care and not transfer them to third parties.

The benefits of Nordic walking

Doctors have long proven the fact that walking is much healthier and safer for the body than running and vigorous physical activity. Moving at the same, calm pace has a positive effect on both health and emotional state.

What walking gives you:

enrichment of blood and internal organs with oxygen;
strengthening blood vessels and heart muscle;
acceleration of metabolic processes;
improved digestion;
activation of the elimination of toxic substances;
lowering cholesterol levels;
strengthening immunity;
improvement of muscle tone;
burning fat deposits;
improved balance and coordination;
healing of joints and spine;
great mood and positive.

The most important thing is the regularity of classes, skipping which is permissible only for health reasons.

Technique

Like any sport, before starting a lesson you should do a warm-up - swinging your arms and legs, flexing and extending your body, rising on your tiptoes for 2-3 seconds, neat jumping from foot to foot and on both legs. You can use special exercises with sticks: bending to the right and left with raised arms holding the stick, bending forward with emphasis on the sticks, etc.

So, how to Nordic walking:

The main element of the training is the step.
The main rule: left hand with a stick - right leg (heel), and vice versa: right hand - left leg, i.e. there should be a counter move.
The stick is located on the side near the leg, slightly at an angle.
When the stick touches the ground, you should take a step: the foot is placed on the heel, then rolled onto the toe. But you should not place your feet on the entire surface of the foot at once.
Your legs should be slightly bent at the knees while walking.
During the movement, the arms bend slightly at the elbows and move them up and down when pushing off the surface. The arm is raised at an angle of 45 0 in the upper position, and the “lower” arm is moved back to the level of the pelvis.
You cannot lean on sticks with significant effort! This creates additional stress on the musculoskeletal system.

How to hold sticks

In fact, they hold themselves on their hands thanks to special, very strong and reliable loops. The loops are similar in appearance to the bells of gloves and, with the help of wide stripes, cover the bases of the thumbs, which prevents incorrect movements of the hand. You need to hold the equipment freely, without straining your hands, parallel to each other. When overcoming a hard surface, rubber tips are put on the poles for convenience; it is more convenient to pass through soft areas simply by pushing off with a spike.

So, before class, you need to put your hand through the loop, adjust the diameter using the clasp and secure the loop so that the wrist area is not pinched. This way the sticks won't fall out of your hands.

Contraindications and disadvantages of the technique

The disadvantages of this sport are that it is somewhat dependent on weather conditions. Walking can be practiced throughout the year, but in reality, heavy rain, blizzards or snowfall make movement much more difficult and can adversely affect your health. Walking in the gym is difficult, and skipping classes is not recommended.

How to walk correctly for maximum effect

It is recommended to find a companion or go with the whole family - this motivates, improves efficiency and mood in general. There are entire schools and clubs of Nordic walking fans who take common walks every day.

You should eat an hour and a half before class.
You need to walk at a fast pace, but do not start running. The walk should be comfortable, not accompanied by abdominal pain, shortness of breath or rapid breathing.
Increase the load only gradually.
While walking, you should not lower your head down, your shoulders should be relaxed and freely lowered, and your posture should be straight. You need to try to think about good things and smile.
Walks are best organized in environmentally friendly places, where there is a lot of vegetation and no transport. The best option is hilly paths of parks and squares.
The duration of one lesson is at least 40 minutes. How long is the maximum time to walk? It depends on your fitness level, but you definitely shouldn’t exceed 60-90 minutes.
While walking, you can drink clean water in small sips.
After your walk, you should do a couple of leisurely stretches or just a few deep breaths.

Nordic Walking and weight loss - how it works

Proper Nordic walking, carried out regularly, leads to a gradual loss of extra pounds. When walking at an average or fast pace, about 10 calories are burned in 1 minute. Almost all muscles are also pumped. While walking, you can “work” on problem areas. So, if you walk and keep your abdominal muscles moderately retracted, you can get rid of fat deposits in this area. Overcoming rough terrain with upward climbs perfectly pumps up the leg muscles. If you tighten your buttocks and try to mentally hold a coin between them, they will acquire a beautiful shape.

Common mistakes

Nordic walking with poles is not easy for everyone, and some do not see any positive changes in their health. This may be due to some errors:

Using homemade sticks or equipment from other sports;
Incorrect holding of sticks (crossing them behind your back);
Rotate the body while raising the arm to make a pushing movement;
Using the force of the hand rather than the elbow during push-off;
Using uncomfortable shoes.

Nordic Walking is an enjoyable sport that is accessible to everyone and has a positive effect on health, mood and appearance!

Every year Finnish walking is gaining more and more popularity not only among the population of Europe, but is also actively gaining ground in Russia. The popularity is based not only on the health benefits, but also on the minimum investment. After all, for training you will only need special sticks. In the article we will answer the question of what walking with poles is called, we will talk about the history of its occurrence, methodology, effectiveness and selection rules.

What it is

Nordic walking is a simple, affordable, healthy and non-traumatic way to keep fit. It is also included in the list of the country's top 100 innovations.

According to statistics, almost a million residents practice this sport once a week. There are no age restrictions, you only need desire.

Even 5 years ago, many tourists coming to the country were surprised to see motley companies with ski poles on the streets, moving quickly and actively waving them.

Today, this has become a common sight not only in Finland, but also in Russia.

Methodology of classes

To an inexperienced person, it may seem that there are no special rules and you can walk the way you want.

In fact, there are rules. They are not difficult and by the end of the first training a person does everything correctly.

After a few lessons, the movements become automatic, and then you can concentrate all your attention on the splendor of the surrounding nature.

Let's look at what Nordic walking is and how to walk correctly.

Movements of the arms and legs must be synchronous and crossed. The left hand moves simultaneously with the right leg, and the right hand with the left leg.
Along with the step, you need to push off the ground with a stick. After the movement, it is released, allowing it to hang on the wrist; special belts are designed for this. This is necessary to eliminate the possibility of muscle overstrain.
The foot rests on the ground by rolling. The heel is the first to move, followed by a smooth roll from the foot to the toes. When the foot is completely on the surface of the ground, the same movement is carried out with the other foot.
It is important to maintain your posture. The back should be straight, without arching. This is achieved with the help of the right accessory. If it is adjusted to your height, correct posture will be achieved without effort.
Simultaneously with the movement of the arms and legs, it is necessary to turn the torso and shoulder area to the right and left.
Breathing must be controlled. Moving at a normal pace, you need to inhale through your nose, the duration of the inhalation corresponds to two steps. Exhale through the mouth, slowly and smoothly. It should take 4 steps in time.
The width of the step and the overall dynamics of the workout are controlled using the amplitude of the arms. The wider the range, the greater the energy consumption.

It is necessary to master this technique in order to feel the full benefits of Finnish walking with poles.

Beginners often make mistakes by walking too wide, pressing their elbows tightly to their body and not opening their palms.

A common mistake is also the lack of foot roll and incorrectly selected equipment.

Efficiency

Let's discuss what Nordic walking is and what it gives.

Due to simple movements, loads have a positive effect on joints and muscles. Partial transfer of body weight to the equipment relaxes the spine. The pressure on the legs is also reduced. Thanks to these factors, people of any age can practice.

This type of training will be a good choice for overweight people. Simple aerobic movements, with body weight transfer, will help even those who find it difficult to move around the house.

The correct position of the back is maintained, the muscles that support the spinal corset are strengthened.

Answering the question about how Nordic walking with poles is useful, we can say that it trains endurance. Almost all the muscles of the body are involved, more energy is expended to overcome the route.

Indications and contraindications

There are quite a lot of indications for classes.

Recovery from spinal and ankle injuries.
Arthrosis and arthritis. Also osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernias.
Diseases of the lungs and bronchial system, including asthma.
Therapeutic loads for people who have suffered a myocardial infarction. Recommended for patients with coronary and hypertensive heart disease.
Metabolic disorder. Obesity of any degree.
It is safe to exercise during pregnancy.
Sleep problems, depression.

As you can read, there is quite a lot of evidence. Despite all the benefits, there are contraindications for conducting classes.

Moments of exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Impaired conduction of heart rhythm.
Pain syndrome in any manifestation.
Infectious diseases with increased body temperature.
The recovery period after abdominal operations and other surgical interventions.

To exclude possible side effects, you should consult your doctor before starting training.

Story

The origin story is quite funny. In 1988, winter in Finland turned out to be snowless. On January 5, a group of skiers from Helsinki decided to follow the planned route. Despite the lack of snow cover, the activists were not at a loss, took off their skis and, leaving their poles, defiantly walked forward. Subsequently, skiers practiced such activities in the off-season so as not to lose shape.

In 1997, there was literally a boom in this type of activity. On weekends, one could often find people and entire families moving at a brisk pace in the recreation areas.

Where can I buy

You can buy Nordic walking poles at any sports store. The choice is varied. Starting from materials to color. There is something for everyone.

How to choose the right one

An individual selection for each person is required. There are constant-length and telescopic accessories. Thanks to the straps located on them, there is a repulsion from the ground during a step.

Depending on the selected terrain and coverage, it is necessary to purchase special attachments. For winter training and walks in the forest, a studded tip is suitable. For asphalt pavement, a rubber one is provided.

We hope that after reading the article there will be no questions left about what Nordic walking is and how to walk correctly. Let's give some more tips.

People suffering from increased excitability of the nervous system and prone to depression should choose to exercise in the morning. By setting aside an hour a day for exercise, their well-being will improve.

For those who have sleep disorders and insomnia, it is better to choose the evening time. Such a sports walk will help you relax and fall asleep. It is worth remembering that people without physical training who are not accustomed to stress can exercise.

Clothing for hiking should be comfortable. No special suits are required. A tracksuit, loose pants or shorts will be sufficient. It is important that clothing does not restrict movement.

At the initial stages, it is better to choose pedestrian areas near your home or in a park. There is no need to immediately go to difficult trails or forest areas.