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Main Instructor:

Click to View: Nordic Walking New Forest Instructor Page

Hosted By:

Suzanne Madden

Walk Description:

Importance of good technique in Nordic Walking

Compared to regular walking, Nordic walking activates more muscles overall and targets pretty much all the main muscles. Regular walking mostly only activates the lower body while your upper body is kind of just there for the ride. When walking with walking poles you apply force with the poles to the ground with every stride, incorporating most of your upper body to the activity as well activating in total, up to 90% of all muscles.You will basically get an additional upper body workout at no extra cost since Nordic walking doesn’t really affect the perceived stress of walking compared to walking without walking poles.

Nordic walking really affects many of the muscles promoting good posture. It is also easier to maintain good posture while walking when you do it with the poles since you keep rechecking your form because you are more engaged in the activity.Nordic Walking helps you battle back and shoulder pain by helping with thoracic spine movement and improving the muscle fitness of all the muscles that are often the cause of back, neck, and shoulder tension. Maximizing the range of motion will help stretch those muscles which are tightened and lengthen them even more.

No matter what intensity Nordic Walking is performed, from a leisurely walk to Nordic Running even there are countless benefits to be realised.Activating all these extra muscles will also elevate the heart rate thus providing cardio vascular exercise.It seems clear that incorporating walking poles has many benefits including all of the above. Not only will it tone your back, shoulder, and arm muscles it will help with other upper body movements such as spine rotation and stiffness of the thoracic spine. You get better exercise with no added feeling of difficulty.

Proper technique

When you invest time in your physical health you should be getting the most out of it. Keeping the upper body moving keeps everything loose and relaxed. For me, it is a vital part of making my everyday life the best it can be. Proper walking technique is important. You will only reap all the best benefits if you do it right. Only when done right, will walking poles maximize your range of motion, stretch and tone muscles, rotate the spine the right way and loosen up the right muscles.  A poor technique might even end up doing more harm than good, by bringing more tension to your upper body muscles.You have all learned the right technique from the start.  But, as many things in life, we sometimes need some coaching to keep this going.

Location Notes:

On the road that links the Burley Road to the B3055, between Longslade View and Horseshoe Bottom. See map on right. FE membership required or pay as you go.