What is 'Nordic Walking'? The Harvard-backed fitness trend that can shrink waistline and build strength
Nordic Walking, once a Finnish training method for skiers, is now a globally recommended low-impact exercise. Doctors endorse it for its ability to reduce waist circumference, improve posture, and aid rehabilitation. (Image: iStock)
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While its therapeutic advantages are notable, Nordic Walking's reputation as a fat-burning powerhouse is what's truly grabbing headlines. (Image: iStock)
Backed by Science, Endorsed by Experts
So, What's the Catch?
It may look like skiing without snow, but Nordic Walking is carving its own trail in the world of fitness—and doctors are all for it. Once a training technique for cross-country skiers in Finland, this deceptively simple sport is now earning accolades for being one of the most efficient, joint-friendly, and waistline-reducing forms of full-body exercise.According to a recent report in SurreyLive, Nordic Walking is quickly gaining popularity across all age groups for its versatility and health benefits. Whether you're strolling along a beach, through a forest, or even navigating city streets, this form of walking uses specially designed poles to transform a casual walk into a low-impact, high-reward cardio workout.First developed in the 1930s as off-season training for athletes, Nordic Walking has evolved into a global movement suitable for both amateurs and elite sportspersons. What makes it particularly appealing in medical circles is its ability to serve as a low-impact rehabilitative exercise for patients with joint, muscle, or neurological conditions. By redistributing body weight through pole usage, it minimizes pressure on lower limbs, making it ideal for individuals recovering from injury or dealing with chronic pain.Studies have confirmed its efficacy across diverse demographics. From elderly people managing diabetes and cardiovascular issues to breast cancer survivors and those living with Parkinson's disease, Nordic Walking is finding takers among the medically vulnerable. According to The Mirror, even postmenopausal women have experienced health improvements from consistent practice.While its therapeutic advantages are notable, Nordic Walking's reputation as a fat-burning powerhouse is what's truly grabbing headlines. A study by the University of Verona tracked 38 individuals over six months and found significant reductions in both body fat and waist circumference. Unlike regular walking, Nordic Walking activates 90% of the body's major muscle groups, leading to higher calorie burn and metabolic activity.As WALX, a national walking club promoting the activity, puts it: 'Working more muscles means using more energy.' In fact, you can torch between 20% and 40% more calories than walking without poles—provided you use the correct technique. This includes long natural strides, proper pole placement, and forward-leaning motion starting from the ankles.According to a 2022 article titled, ' Fitness trend : Nordic walking', Harvard Medical School has also endorsed the exercise for its calorie-burning superiority over traditional walking. Research studies published in recent years show that Nordic Walking outperforms both resistance-band training and conventional walking in terms of improving cardiovascular health and reducing BMI. One particular study even concluded that Nordic Walking participants were the only group to experience both a drop in body fat and a measurable increase in aerobic capacity.The secret lies in its full-body engagement. Unlike normal walking, which is largely leg-driven, Nordic Walking recruits muscles from the arms, shoulders, chest, core, and back—providing a workout that rivals much more strenuous routines.There really isn't one—except technique. Experts like instructor Michael Stone from Warner's Littlecote House Hotel emphasize the importance of mastering pole placement, step length, and body posture. Proper form not only ensures safety but amplifies the benefits, making every step count more than it would in a standard walking routine.In a fitness world obsessed with high-intensity workouts and gym memberships, Nordic Walking offers a refreshing, science-backed alternative—simple, effective, and accessible to nearly everyone.So next time you think of walking as just a way to get from point A to B, grab a pair of poles and discover why doctors and researchers are now calling Nordic Walking the ultimate prescription for health and longevity.
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