Hit your STRIDE

Nordic walking transforms a casual stroll into a full-body workout

- Amy Hadley

This low-impact exercise originated as a summer activity for cross-country skiers in Finland in the 1930s. Nordic walking slowly grew in popularity and is now loved for its full-body benefits – it uses more muscles than regular walking, hiking, running or cycling!

WHAT’S THE TECHNIQUE?

“When you Nordic walk, instead of just leaving your arms swinging into thin air, you use the poles,” explains Hans Wrang, founder and director of Nordic Walking Australia and vice president of the International Nordic Walking Federation. “The action of pushing against the pole strap in a backward and downward direction has the equal and opposite effect of propelling your upper body forward and slightly upward.”