How walking with poles has expanded beyond its original technique to support fitness, rehabilitation and community wellbeing programmes
Introduction
Nordic Walking has grown significantly since it first emerged as an off-season training method for cross-country ski athletes.
Over the past three decades, millions of people around the world have discovered the benefits of walking with poles.
Originally taught as a specific technique inspired by skiing movements, Nordic Walking has gradually evolved into something broader: a versatile activity used in fitness training, rehabilitation programmes and community health initiatives.
As participation has grown, many organisations have expanded the way walking with poles is taught and delivered.
The Original Nordic Walking Technique
Early Nordic Walking instruction focused on replicating the arm and pole movement used in cross-country skiing.
This technique emphasised:
• long arm swings
• coordinated pole planting
• strong upper-body engagement
For many walkers this approach created an enjoyable and effective full-body workout.
The technique remains widely taught today and continues to provide benefits for people seeking a more dynamic walking experience.
A Changing Audience
As Nordic Walking spread internationally, the people interested in learning the activity began to change.
Participants were no longer only fitness enthusiasts.
Increasingly, instructors began working with:
• people returning to activity after injury
• older adults wanting to maintain mobility
• individuals seeking weight management
• community walking groups
• people looking for social outdoor exercise
This wider audience brought new expectations and new opportunities for walking programmes.
Expanding the Use of Walking Poles
Over time, instructors discovered that poles could support far more than a single walking technique.
Walking with poles could also help people:
• improve posture and balance
• reduce pressure on joints
• increase walking confidence
• engage upper body muscles
• extend the duration and enjoyment of walking
This opened the door for new types of sessions and programmes built around walking with poles.
The Development of New Programmes
As a result, many organisations began developing programmes that went beyond traditional Nordic Walking technique.
These programmes incorporated elements such as:
• strength and conditioning exercises
• interval walking workouts
• rehabilitation and stability sessions
• structured community walking programmes
The focus shifted from teaching a single movement pattern to using poles as a tool for improving overall health and wellbeing.
The WALX® Approach
In the United Kingdom, this broader approach led to the development of WALX® and Total Body Walking® programmes.
These programmes build on the foundations of Nordic Walking while expanding the ways poles can be used in walking-based exercise.
For example, WALX programmes may include:
• Total Body Walking® fitness sessions
• balance and stability exercises
• strength and conditioning movements
• rehabilitation and recovery programmes
The aim is to help people of different abilities and backgrounds benefit from walking with poles.
An Activity That Continues to Grow
Today, walking with poles is used in many different environments.
You will find programmes operating in:
• parks and countryside trails
• community health initiatives
• fitness classes
• rehabilitation settings
• walking groups and clubs
As awareness grows, more people are discovering how walking with poles can support both physical health and mental wellbeing.
Looking Ahead
Nordic Walking provided the original foundation for walking with poles as a fitness activity.
Today, that foundation continues to evolve as organisations develop new programmes designed to support a wider range of people.
Whether through traditional Nordic Walking technique or broader walking programmes such as Total Body Walking®, the core idea remains simple:
helping more people stay active, healthy and connected through walking outdoors.
Further Reading
You may also find these Knowledge Hub articles helpful:
• What Is a Nordic Walking Qualification?
