Self-Taught Nordic Walker? You’re Probably Making This Mistake

Nordic walking looks simple, but one small change in your Nordic walking technique can make a surprisingly big difference.

One of the most common mistakes I see in clients who have tried to teach themselves is swinging their arms mainly from the elbows instead of letting the movement come from the shoulders.

Why is the Nordic walking arm swing so challenging?

You’re not alone if you’ve been confused about the correct technique. When people see poles, they usually immediately think about hiking. But hiking poles and Nordic walking poles have very different purposes and techniques.

Hiking poles are used for balance and stability on uneven terrain. Nordic walking poles, on the other hand, are designed to increase the intensity of your walking workout by engaging your upper body and helping to propel you forward.

It’s also easy to pick up the wrong technique by watching others. Look at photos and videos online and you’ll see plenty of people Nordic walking with bent elbows. If you see it often enough, you might assume that’s how Nordic walking is supposed to look.

Think long arms

When you Nordic walk, imagine your arms as long pendulums swinging from your shoulders. Keep your shoulders relaxed and allow your arms to swing up to a handshake position, then back down low on the side of your thighs in a smooth rhythm. Don’t lock your elbows straight or make the movement rigid.

With this long arm swing, you create a powerful arc. Your poles can then do what they were designed to do: on the downswing, they will propel you forward and add upper-body involvement to your walk.

Try this Nordic walking tip on your next walk

Start with your hands low at the side of your thighs with your arms straight. Your poles should be behind you with the boot tips on the ground. As you begin walking, let your arms swing naturally from the shoulders keeping your elbows straight. Lengthen your stride as your arm swings gradually become bigger. Swing up to the handshake position, then back down to hands low beside your thighs.

If you’ve got it just right, you’ll be surprised by how powerful and challenging your walking immediately feels.

Still struggling? Join one of my Quick-Start Clinics to learn to Nordic walk with confidence.