Does technique make a difference

A study compared different Nordic walking techniques to assess how best to use Nordic walking poles to engage the upper body.

Styles compared:

  • Walking
  • Nordic walking (classical technique on which the vast majority of walkers are trained)
  • Nordic walking with a weak poling action (classical technique but with weaker push-off)
  • Nordic walking with straight-upper limbs moving the shoulders (arms extended, elbows locked)
  • Nordic walking with elbow flexion-extension pattern and shoulders still (push-off only by flexing arms, not engaging shoulders)

I’ve tried these styles, and the intensity I felt corresponded to the research findings. One style not addressed was the power walking style where the elbows stay flexed.

Variations on the classical Nordic walking style created less muscle activation than the classic Nordic walking technique. However, all the Nordic walking techniques achieved greater muscle activation than regular walking, so doing something is better than just walking.

Do both!

I played around with a fitness calculator today. The most significant variables were frequency, duration, and intensity of exercise and waist size and weight/body mass.

The result was your fitness age, which is younger, equal, or greater than your chronological age.

After trying different combinations of factors that could be changed (obviously factors like height and education level can’t be changed):

Body factors →

Intensity of exercise ↓

Weight and waist

(actual; no change)

Weight and waist

(reduced)

Low intensity

Fitness age same as chronological age

Fitness age several years younger than chronological age

Moderate intensity

Fitness age several years younger than chronological age

Fitness age 10 years younger than chronological age

High intensity

Fitness age 10 years younger than chronological age

Fitness age half of chronological age

Nordic walking groups schedule in 2019

Nordic Walking Guy wants you to Nordic walk with your family and friends, old and new! Join us for an occasional walking group excursion to sample what Nordic walking is all about. Then form your own walking groups and work out together.
  • No charge for the sampler; poles provided.
  • Dress for the weather, and bring your water.

How many Nordic walking groups can we start?

Join Nordic Walking Together and share your experiences.

Date
Day
Tuscaloosa County
Jefferson County
10-Feb
Sunday

Aldridge Gardens
3530 Lorna Rd, Hoover, AL 35216
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
9-Mar
Saturday
McAbee Center
3801 Loop Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

23-Mar
Saturday


13-Apr
Saturday

Aldridge Gardens
3530 Lorna Rd, Hoover, AL 35216
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
20-Apr
Saturday
Sokol Park
5901 Watermelon Rd
Northport, AL 35473
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

18-May
Saturday


19-May
Sunday
The Park at Manderson Landing
9 Jack Warner Pkwy, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

23-Jun
Sunday

Aldridge Gardens
3530 Lorna Rd, Hoover, AL 35216
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
29-Jun
Saturday
The Park at Manderson Landing
9 Jack Warner Pkwy, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

20-Jul
Saturday
McAbee Center
3801 Loop Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

10-Aug
Saturday

Aldridge Gardens
3530 Lorna Rd, Hoover, AL 35216
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
14-Sep
Saturday
Sokol Park
5901 Watermelon Rd
Northport, AL 35473
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

6-Oct
Sunday

Aldridge Gardens
3530 Lorna Rd, Hoover, AL 35216
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
16-Nov
Saturday
Van de Graaff Arboretum and Historic Bridge Park
3231 Robert Cardinal Road, Northport, AL
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

8-Dec
Sunday

Aldridge Gardens
3530 Lorna Rd, Hoover, AL 35216
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM