Nordic walking: sticks, wellness and a positive attitude

Walking is one of the most natural activities we do every day. However, most of the time, we do it in an uncoordinated and hasty way, thinking of something else, at the mercy of the frenetic rhythms and the thousand commitments of our daily lives. The body on one side and the mind on the other.

Moving consciously, activating the whole body, is the basis of Nordic walking, the sport that in recent years has been taking the world by storm. As of today, there are more than 16 million followers, and counting. Everywhere Nordic walking is having a real boom, so much so that it is quite common to see people practicing even in city parks.

A few words about Nordic Walking

Practiced since the 1930s in Scandinavian countries by cross-country skiers who wanted to work out in the summer season, this particular form of walking uses special sticks that serve to stimulate the upper body.

A very simple activity, within everyone's reach, but with very precise rules. Correct movements must accompany each step: you must proceed by giving the push with the sticks and alternating opposite arms and legs (the foot that rests on the ground must be opposite to the hand that pushes the stick).

The foot must perform a rolling movement as it enters into contact with the ground, starting from the heel, continuing with the arch of the foot, which absorbs the load, and ending with the fingers.

The sticks, therefore, are not just accessories, but key components of this sport. How to choose the right ones? In order not to make a mistake, one must pick his sticks according to his height and skill. The right length is the one where, holding them in a vertical position in front of us, the elbow makes an angle of 90 degrees.

For those who walk from time to time, aluminium ones with a steel tip are suitable, while for those who train often, carbon ones with a tungsten tip are better. The cost ranges from 40 to 120 euros.

Where to practice Nordic Walking

Once you have learned the technique and purchased the right equipment, Nordic walking can be practiced anywhere, so much so that city parks, hills and beaches become open-air gyms in all seasons, even in winter. What matters here is that the terrain, unlike in trekking, must not be steep.

You can choose whether to walk alone or in a group, and the great thing is that it is really a low-cost sport with flexible hours. Nowadays, each city has several associations and schools that run basic courses and organise gatherings, festivals and excursions.

The benefits of Nordic walking

The beauty and potential of this discipline can also be seen from the benefits it brings. First of all, unlike most other sports activities, Nordic walking involves 90% of body muscles: chest muscle groups, back muscles, triceps, biceps, shoulders, abdominals, spines and buttocks. The result is an increase in stamina, strength and coordination.

In addition, working out with the whole body results in an increase of up to 46% in energy consumption compared to simple walking.

The list of reasons for choosing Nordic walking is long. Some people practice it to lose weight and get back into shape, perhaps after a period of forced rest, as happens to new mothers. Others for the pleasure of socialising and staying in the open air after too many hours sitting in front of the computer. Finally, others feel the need to prevent or reconnect with physical activity after an illness.

Nordic walking plays an important role in cancer rehabilitation, both physically and psychologically. Those who have had cancer or are treating it, especially women who have been operated on for breast cancer, can practice it - on a case-by-case basis.

The aim is to recover the functions impaired by surgery or therapy. The movement that is done to push the sticks is precisely indicated to restore the mobility of the arm and shoulder, to accelerate the healing of wounds, to correct postural changes and to improve the cardiovascular system.