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Nordic Walking
Just like walking, it is an activity that is suitable for all. In fact, because the use of poles reduces the load on the knees and other joints, it can actually be a preferable option for some. The basic technique is not complicated. As you stride with your left foot, you bring your right arm and pole forward and vice versa, meaning that your torso is constantly swinging from one side to the other. If you encounter difficulties getting used to the arm movements, start by walking uphill, when you will find it easier to master the technique. Part of the sport's popularity is due to the health benefits involved, which are considerably greater than those of normal walking. Not only does it improve your endurance, strengthen and tone the muscles in the upper body, arms and legs (including the pectorals and glutei), and release muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, but it also provides an excellent cardiovascular workout, getting your heart beating an average 5-17 times more per minute than normal walking. Many of these benefits are directly attributable to the use of poles, which improve your posture and, by propelling your body forward and thus increasing the length of your stride, help you walk faster. Furthermore, simply using poles means you consume about 20% more calories than normal walking, and if you combine this with the effects of walking faster, you actually burn up to 46% more energy than when you walk normally, according to some research. For maximum benefit, you should walk for at least thirty minutes at a time.
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Though
it has yet to make much of an impression in Britain, the latest sport to catch northern Europe's
imagination is Nordic walking, and it is surely just a matter of time
before it becomes just as popular here. It is perhaps best described as
cross-country skiing without the skis (or the snow!), an analogy that
is actually very relevant given that Nordic walking was developed as a
summer training method for cross-country skiers. From Scandinavia, it
has spread to Germany and is now beginning to catch on in the Alps, with
many Swiss and Austrian hotels now offering guided Nordic walks.
Because it is suitable for most types of terrain and you need no equipment
other than a pair of poles, you can practise Nordic walking anywhere.
However, a good place to start is the Bernese Oberland and our most popular
Swiss hotel, the Victoria in the village of