Nordic Walking Compared to Regular Walking
Turn Walking From a Good Exercise Into a Great One
Nordic fitness walking (also known as pole walking or ski walking) gives you all the benefits of regular walking plus much more.
With the simple addition of Boomyah™ Tone 'n Trek™ poles you actively engage your upper body to get more fit and tone, in less time, with less strain on your knees and joints.
Please see below to learn more about the benefits of Nordic walking compared to regular walking, as well as how and why the poles make such a big difference.
We also suggest asking your doctor or a fitness expert about Nordic walking. In many areas it's still new so they may not know much about it yet, but they can come up to speed quickly by reviewing the extensive research that's been done on it.
Benefits Compared to Walking
Nordic walking is genuinely better than regular walking in almost all ways. You get a better aerobic exercise while adding light resistance training for your arms and upper body that you don't get with walking.
Due in part to its immense popularity, there has already been much research on "pole walking" by universities, medical professionals, research institutes and others in Europe and the USA. Following are some of the benefits compared to regular walking*:
- Burns up to 40% more calories (some studies show even more)
- Increases heart rate 10-15 beats per minute
- Tones arms, abs and upper body muscles
- Reduces stress on knees, hips and lower back
- Helps build better bone density
- Improves cardiovascular fitness
- Increases oxygen consumption up to 20%
- Improves posture by keeping spine straighter when walking
- Relieves tension in neck and shoulders
- Reduces heel strike force up to 26%
- Provides added balance on uneven surfaces
All these extra benefits, yet it feels like you're working no harder than with regular walking. It feels effortless, and you don't have to walk faster to get better benefits.
There's no huffing and puffing or painful joints so you can still enjoy the scenery, carry on a conversation and socialize while you're Nordic walking. Many find it makes walking more interesting and energizing.
Nordic fitness walking is a unique exercise in that people with very different fitness levels and goals can exercise together, walking at the same speed. Those looking for a more intensive workout can push off with more force and use a more exaggerated arm-swing to get a better workout, while others can take it easier.
How Can Something So Simple Work So Well?
As shown below, the logic behind the enhanced benefits is quite simple and straight-forward.
Using Tone 'n Trek poles you involve your whole body with every step you take, instead of just the lower half. The average person walks 2000 steps per mile (1000 per arm), so the benefits add up fast. Cross-country skiers discovered this secret years ago!
* Comparison to regular walking is based on numerous independent research studies in Europe and the USA, including the highly esteemed Cooper Research Institute (Dallas, TX 2002). Click Here for a partial listing of research studies relevant to nordic fitness walking.
Click here to check out the innovative new Tone 'n Trek poles.
