If you hate the end of winter when the snow starts to melt and the chair lift stops running, don’t fear, a new walking craze might be what you need to survive summer.
Nordic walking is relatively new to Australia but has been practiced in Finland for nearly 40 years. Using specially designed poles (similar to those used in skiing) the upper body is engaged in the workout, meaning you burn extra calories and also tone more of your body.
Nordic walking will certainly get your heart pumping and can also save wear and tear on your knees and legs. A
US study recently found that Nordic walking resulted in roughly a 20% increase in energy expenditure when compared to regular walking. Nordic walking is also worth consideration if you like to exercise outdoors rather than sweating it out in a gym.
Nordic Walking Australia runs free trial classes in parks around Australia. They also run introductory courses so you can learn the technique and decide if it’s for you. This is a great idea before you purchase poles so they don’t end up on the curb next to the
ab-roller come the next council clean up. The introductory course runs for four weeks.
If you prefer life in the fast lane than the
Nordic Academy Australia might be for you. They run 3 hour intensive introduction courses in most capital cities.
Once you’ve mastered the technique and purchased poles you can take Nordic Walking anywhere. While not a competition sport in Australia as yet, it is in other parts of the world. This could be your chance to don the green and gold and become a famed Australian athlete or become a
world champion!
