21 Essential Things You Must Know Before Starting Nordic Walking

1. It's not hiking!

2. Nordic walking poles aren’t the same as hiking poles!

3. You can use your Nordic walking poles for hiking (confusing, I know).

4. It's easy to learn, but not that easy. It’s challenging enough to make it interesting, but not so tricky that it’s frustrating.

5. It's not just for women.

6. It's not just for seniors.

7. You'll need a lesson (or two or three) if you want to reap all the benefits.

8. The purpose of the poles is to super-charge standard walking not to provide assistance with balance.

9. It will quickly become obvious if you are right- or left-handed. With a bit of time your non-dominant arm will catch up.

10. You can do it in all seasons.

11. You'll heat up, so don't overdress.

12. You need to constantly keep your arms straight.

13. Your hamstrings and upper body will need a good stretch afterward.

14. Once you get moving and catch the rhythm, it can be hard to stop.

15. There are Nordic walking poles with straps/gloves and also strapless poles (my preference), but it’s all Nordic walking and all good.

16. You'll pick up the technique more quickly if you’re a cross-country skier or have marching-on-parade military experience.

17. It's the perfect activity to continue with as you age.

18. To modify the intensity, simply move faster or move slower.

19. Shouting, "You forgot your skis!" to Nordic walkers isn't very original at all.

20. When travelling by plane, your poles need to go in your checked luggage. Or you can walk through security using them as a walking device.

21. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. Quality Nordic walking poles cost $100+, last for a lifetime, and will do their part to help you reach your health and fitness goals.

Good News About Walking and Dementia

The Guardian reports in its September 2022 article, “Step on it! Walking is good for health but walking faster is even better,” that "how fast you walk could be just as important for your health as how many steps you take." 

A study with 78,500 UK adults found that by walking 10,000 steps a day "you could lower your risk of dementia by about 50 percent, and for cardiovascular disease and cancer, you’d be lowering it between 30 to 40 percent. Walking faster is even better for all outcomes - dementia, heart disease, cancer and death."

They also point out that "The first 5,000 steps does much more good than the next 5,000 steps and so on" - and if the first unit gives you one unit of good, the next unit is another half unit of good."

After you've hit the 10,000 step mark you may get fitter and feel even better but it won't guarantee better outcomes. The sweet spot is 10,000 steps.

Urban Poling on CBC Radio

The interest in Nordic walking continues to be high as more people discover its multiple benefits: full-body workout, low stress to hips and knees, upper body and core conditioning, and more.

CBC journalist Antonia Reed, runner-turned-Nordic-walker, speaks to me and University of Ottawa researchers in this comprehensive interview. You can listen here!

Why Your Doctor Wants You to Nordic Walk

There is good news about Nordic walking everywhere! And one of its biggest supporters is the medical community.

Many doctors and health care providers are no longer just recommending that their patients improve their health by walking—they’re also encouraging them to practise Nordic walking.

Check out this article that I wrote on the subject for Zoomer magazine.

Uh oh...Are You Making These 5 Classic Nordic Walking Mistakes (video)?

Follow these quick tips to polish your Nordic walking technique.

This is Canada's Best Gym!

Late autumn in High Park, Toronto

"You don’t have to go fast. You just have to go."

"Action is the antidote to despair." Joan Baez