Join me to kick of this year's 100 Alabama Miles Challenge on 3/2!

Look for me on March 2 at 9 AM at Birmingham's Railroad Park to kick off this year's 100 Alabama Miles Challenge!

There will be a 1 mile walk, and I'll Nordic walk it. I'll bring extra poles for anyone who wants to join me. Look for the guy wearing a Nordic walking shirt.

Join me in walking, running, hiking, biking, swimming, paddling, riding, or rolling 100 miles this year. I plan to Nordic walk those 100 miles!
Nordic Walking Guy wants you in a Nordic walking group!


So 60 is becoming the new 40, eh?

I came across an interesting article about how more and more active agers are taking up more strenuous exercise.

Main point: "...physical decline is not just a result of getting older – it’s a result of being less active as we age."

Why is this happening?

  • "One factor is the rise of age-group sport."
  • "...the trend for consumers to focus more of their spending on experiences instead of material items"

What are some impacts?

  • "Books...offer athletes advice for those in their later years."
  • "...increasing numbers of gyms are targeting 60-somethings."

Why the optimism?

  • "...the decline that many people see is related to their slow drift away from physical activity"
  • "As for muscle mass, that’s something you can hang on well into your later years by training correctly. Ditto bone density."
  • "Cardiovascular fitness, which can feel like the first thing to go, can be maintained with training."
Nordic walking is a way to latch on to this trend. Some thoughts:
  • You can Nordic walk as your primary exercise because it involves your whole body.
  • If you haven't exercised in a while, Nordic walking's low impact full-body regime provides a good transition to more intense activity.
  • If you feel like you want to do more, you can integrate more strenuous exercises into your routine. For example:
    • Nordic walk before weightlifting to get a good warmup.
    • Do body weight exercises during your walk (parks with exercise stations are good venues for this).

Because it works and is good for you


A look at trends and walking (and biking)

I came across an interesting article about promoting walking and a related physical activity, biking.

Key point: "...everyone should feel safe walking and biking around their neighborhood, to work, to school, and where they need to go."

Several organizations are collaborating to promote multiple modes for getting around in communities.

  • In the past, walking and biking have been seen as nice-to-have activities in a community.
  • Now, walking and biking are seen as bringing essential benefits to communities.

Some goals include:

  • Seek connection between different modes of travel.
  • Improve access.
  • Ensure safe routes.
  • Include urban, suburban, and rural walking and biking models.

Part of the bigger goal is to increase physical activity to counter the health effects of inactivity.




Nordic walking meetup in Jefferson County (McCallum Park) on 3/23

Join us on Saturday to find out what Nordic walking is all about! No charge; poles provided. Look for the white Nordic walking sign.

We'll also connect people together to form walking groups so you can walk on your own with old and new friends.

Did you know 3/23 is National Puppy Day? I'll show you a way to Nordic walk with your 4-legged child.

Instructor: Leroy Hurt, ANWA-certified Advanced Nordic Walking instructor

Why Nordic walking?
  • Full body, low impact
  • Increase weight loss
  • Improve cholesterol
  • Improve blood pressure
  • Facilitate rehabilitation
  • Maintain stability and balance
  • Maintain posture
  • Facilitate stress relief
  • Support muscle toning
  • Improve cardiovascular function
  • Improve lung capacity
  • Support immune system
  • Socialize with walking companions
  • You determine the intensity of your workout


Learn more about Nordic walking at my Nordic Walking Guy blog and Nordic Walking Guy Facebook page.


Nordic walking meetup in Tuscaloosa County (McAbee Center) on 3/9

Join us on Saturday to find out what Nordic walking is all about! No charge; poles provided. Look for the white Nordic walking sign.
  • When: 9:00 AM, March 9
  • Where: McAbee Center. 3801 Loop Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404

We'll also connect people together to form walking groups so you can walk on your own with old and new friends.

Instructor: Leroy Hurt, ANWA-certified Advanced Nordic Walking instructor

Why Nordic walking?
  • Full body, low impact
  • Increase weight loss
  • Improve cholesterol
  • Improve blood pressure
  • Facilitate rehabilitation
  • Maintain stability and balance
  • Maintain posture
  • Facilitate stress relief
  • Support muscle toning
  • Improve cardiovascular function
  • Improve lung capacity
  • Support immune system
  • Socialize with walking companions
  • You determine the intensity of your workout


Learn more about Nordic walking at my Nordic Walking Guy blog and Nordic Walking Guy Facebook page.


Maintaining and fixing the snap (external) locks of your adjustable Nordic walking poles

The video refers to trekking poles. The shafts and locks of adjustable trekking/hiking/walking poles are the same as the shafts and locks of adjustable Nordic walking poles

The video covers:
  • Fixing the lock when it doesn't tighten
  • Cleaning inside the poles

Why put gloves on Nordic walking poles?

A couple of experts weigh in on why it's important to use Nordic walking poles instead of regular hiking poles. It's all about the right tools for the job.

I have tried to replicate the benefits of Nordic walking with traditional hiking poles and a different design called Pacerpoles.
  • I plan to stay with the gloved Nordic walking poles because they let me move with a more natural walking motion while involving my upper body.
  • When I teach Nordic walking, I encourage people who bring their own hiking poles to try the Nordic walking poles and then compare the experiences. If they still prefer the hiking poles (some aren't willing to buy a new set just yet), I show them some ways to approximate the Nordic walking style.

Some information from my walking experience: Nordic walking gloves has allowed me to move with a natural stride and arm swing.
  • Without the gloves, i.e., walking with trekking poles, I felt a little more strain because of wrist movement. It made me think of typing at my computer keyboard in a way that led to carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • I alleviated that feeling somewhat by keeping my arms bent and swinging them in as if running or power walking.

I also experimented with Pacerpoles. These don't have gloves like Nordic walking poles but have hand grips that are angled forward to get the walker closer to a natural arm swing. One person who tested poles said he experienced a more natural motion and less strain from the motion. I still felt a little strain in my forearms when pushing off with the poles for Nordic walking instead of using them for stability in hiking. Pacerpoles are a bit pricey, the least expensive pair costing £79, which converts to $101.42. However, if you're an avid hiker, they may be the right poles for you.

Nordic walking at Aldridge Gardens

A wonderful Sunday afternoon with motivated Nordic walkers.



Maintaining and fixing the spin (internal) locks of your adjustable Nordic walking poles

The video refers to trekking poles. The shafts and locks of adjustable trekking/hiking/walking poles are the same as the shafts and locks of adjustable Nordic walking poles

The video covers:
  • Fixing the lock when it doesn't tighten
  • Cleaning inside the poles

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)