Nordic walking

[Marcia]

I was just curious if the fad of Nordic walking has reached the U.S.? It is when you walk with ski poles (shorter actually than ski poles) to increase the cardiovascular effort needed. It started in Finland and has really taken off in Sweden. I've started doing it because it is a great way to cross-train on light days and heavy cardio doesn't work for me when I do the PS-series. It is a lot of fun. I normally love to walk but when I became a Cathe step nut, walking wasn't enough. Now it is!!

Marcia

 

[Debra]

Hi Marcia

I don't see it in Southern California, but used to see it around Seattle which is much closer to snow. It seemed to be popular cross-training for Nordic skiers. Some hikers use poles but I think it's more a knee saving effort than an attempt to get a tougher workout.

North Americans separate skiing into 2 categories: Nordic & alpine. What do you call them?

Debra

 

[Susan53]

RE: Hi Marcia

I live in Canada and have seen articles about walking poles in several publications here. They say, like you, that you get a terrific workout using them.....they also said that they can cost about $70 (Can) for a pair of them!

I haven't seen anyone using them yet but apparently they are out there and people are being encouraged to use them for a walking workout with a little more oomph.

 

[honeybunch]

Can you "s'plain" (as Ricky Ricardo would say) it to us? Do you use the poles on a regular walk, or on hikes through trails or what? Anything to make a walk more intense is good news for me.

I must say, though, that I had a good intense walk this morning (6:00 am) through the streets of my town while listening to a Sports Music tape of Latin music! Great tape!

 

[Marcia]

Hi Honeybunch!

Nordic walking is walking with poles that are like ski poles only they have rubber tips on the ends. They are also shorter because to walk with normal ski poles wouldn't work for your shoulders (way too long!). A lot of people use their kid's old ski poles. I prefer to walk on trails because it is more comfortable. The rubber tips make the poles bounce on pavement but it is doable. The thing that makes it so great is you get greater arm movement and the poles allow you to take longer steps. Major heavy breathing! I was out tonight and it started to snow. Ugh. I thought spring had come!

As to the other question about what skiing is called, I haven't got a clue. I'm not a skiier at all.

Funny, for once a fad didn't start in the U.S.!

Marcia