Nordic walking?

[Lise]

I just read about Nordic Walking. Looks similar to c/c skiing, but without the skis. Special shoes, special poles. It looks like something fun to do in Chicago over the winter. I have c/c skis, but we often don't have deep enough snow to go skiing when I want to. You have to take advantage of a big snowfall, and if the time isn't right, you're back to patches of ice and slush and mud.

Anybody here ever done Nordic Walking? How'd you like it?

Lise

[Duck on Wheels]

I just read about Nordic Walking. Looks similar to c/c skiing, but without the skis. Special shoes, special poles. It looks like something fun to do in Chicago over the winter. I have c/c skis, but we often don't have deep enough snow to go skiing when I want to. You have to take advantage of a big snowfall, and if the time isn't right, you're back to patches of ice and slush and mud.

Anybody here ever done Nordic Walking? How'd you like it?

Lise

My husband does it. I have a set of poles and have tried it. The temptation is to walk slowly and upright. This is what the elderly do with these poles, and of course if that means they get a walk they would otherwise not have dared to take for fear of falling, then that's good too. But I'm assuming you're looking for something more challenging. You have to remember to lean forward and scoot along pretty briskly, then it becomes a good all-round workout. Almost as aerobic as x-country skiing, even in lack of snow.

[Lise]

Hey Cycling Duck! You're going to have to change your handle, now that you're no longer bikeless! Wahoo!

Thanks for the info. That is what I'm looking for, a cardio workout that's less likely to result in me falling down (as biking and running in the winter in Chicago can do). As I say, I have the skis, but often lack enough of an expanse of snow to make it worthwhile. I'm going to go by "Play It Again Sports" tomorrow and see if they have any used poles. Other than that, it's special shoes, but it looks like a pretty inexpensive new sport to pick up.

L.

[LauraPaura]

Hi Lise!

Just noticed this thread..

Have you been doing the nordic walking? I do it myself every now and then, in the summer and in winter. I think it's very efficient if you do it right!

[Lise]

Hi Lise!

Just noticed this thread..

Have you been doing the nordic walking? I do it myself every now and then, in the summer and in winter. I think it's very efficient if you do it right!

Hi, Laura,

I just noticed there was a new reply in this thread! I got the poles and shoes for Christmas. I've gone out with the poles a couple of times. It's been kind of mucky here lately, a fact of late winter/early spring that I kind of forgot about. I like using the poles on grass more than on pavement (I skid with the poles on pavement, because I'm not very good at it yet), but the ground is too wet right now. It really does work out the upper body, and you're inspiring me to get back out there with them and practice.

The shoes are great for running when the ground is slippery, or when it's really cold out. I feel much more secure on icy or snowy pavement with them, and they are really light and comfortable.

Am I remembering correctly that you're in ... Finland? Did Nordic walking originate there? How far do you go when you take the poles? I don't know what a good starting distance/time would be, although I'm sure it would be wise to build up.

Take care, Lise

[LauraPaura]

Hi Lise!

I like using the poles on grass more than on pavement (I skid with the poles on pavement, because I'm not very good at it yet), but the ground is too wet right now.

I was just wondering if you have those rubber thingies at the end of your poles? Those give a really good grip on asphalt and other firm surfaces. And when you take them off you have the spikes and they give good grip on other , softer surfaces. It's hard to have good grip on ice though.

Am I remembering correctly that you're in ... Finland? Did Nordic walking originate there? How far do you go when you take the poles? I don't know what a good starting distance/time would be, although I'm sure it would be wise to build up.

Yep, I'm from Finland and I believe that it started here I usually try to walk for about one hour but in the beginning you should focus on your form. Remember to lean forward a bit and push with the poles. It's amazing the difference between normal walking and nordic walking, I think I can go twice as fast with the poles and get a great exercise for my upper body as well. This was actually the exercise what I started with when I started to lose weight (after I gained some because I quit smoking ) and I measured with my friends tha calories burnt in one hour and it was about 280 or so (so quite a lot!!). I also noticed that it helped me to build up some stamina so that I wasn't as dead in spinning lessons as I was before.

I hope you keep on doing this, because it is an excellent workout. I hope the weather will turn to the summer side soon (here as well..).

Take care, Laura

[Lise]

Hi, Laura,

Yes, I have the rubber "paws" for the ends of the poles. I need to get back out there with them, now that the ice is melted. Thanks for the tips on form. It will be a nice change from running, and burns a lot more calories. I'm so glad to have found someone with N.W. experience! Thanks! Lise