Nordic Walking

Nordic Walking is an ideal group sport. The theme is: Walk and Talk! The achievement aspect is, compared to the other sports, not the main focus as such a Nordic Walking Competition does not exist.

Nordic Walking does not emphasize what the human accomplishes in terms of sport, but how sport profits humans. In addition, Nordic Walking offers vitality, relaxation, natural adventure, and happiness through activity and fitness up to old age.

What are the origins of this sport?

Nordic Walking was already used in the 30’s as a training method for cross country skiers during the summer. From these experiences, sport scientists and sport doctors developed this new trendy sport.

What are the positive effects of Nordic Walking?

The arm-stick movements require the work of the entire muscle apparatus, increase pulse-rate, as well as increase metabolism. Nordic Walking increases the calorie consumption and strengthens the shoulder-, back-, and chest-muscles. This type of sport is a spring of youth for body and soul.

Target Group

Nordic Walking is a type of sport for especially those individuals who do not want to or cannot run, but would like to promote their health and fitness. Nordic Walking allows people of all ages to start a less strenuous condition-training. Furthermore, individuals who have not been working out a lot in the past can begin this type of sport without any big problems, because neither muscles or joints, nor the heart-circulation system is being overwhelmed.

Equipment

The Nordic Walking Stick

• Is made out of a carbon-glass fiber material
• Intelligent hand- backstrap-system
• Cork-grip
• Correct stick-length: 70% of the body height
• Removable pads
• Buffering rubber peak (while walking on hard ground with pads; while walking on soft ground, without pads)

Clothes

The clothes should not only protect the individual from wind and bad weather, but should also absorb the sweat from the body and release it to the fresh air. This means that not only should the sport underwear be functioning, but also the exterior layer of clothes should consist of a porous, but water proof material. The layer in the middle should allow for sweat to be released to the outer air. The training jacket and pans should allow for enough room to move.

Shoes

For Nordic Walking light trekking shoes or running shoes should be adequate. The shoes should be lined during the winter and should stabilize and absorb shock.

The healthy aspect

• 85% of muscles are exercised: through the use of the stick the upper body is exercised- this is how an optimal balance of endurance-and power training is created
• The heart- circulation system is being improved
• Muscle tensions in the shoulders and neck are resolved
• The movement-apparatus gets strengthened through the use of the stick- it also gets distributed which is especially good for individuals with knee- and back problems
• Through the increased use of muscles of respiration, the entire body is enriched with oxygen

The fat burner

• The good news for those who exercise for weight loss is that Nordic Walking is especially effective for increasing metabolism (also for overweight individuals!)
• Through the use of sticks, the calorie consumption is increased by 20% compared to walking without stick
• Through the possibility to train and exercise longer versus running, one remains longer within the fat-metabolism domain
• The Nordic Walker stays for about 95% of the training time within the basis-developmental domain, which is ideal for fat burning
• Nordic Walking is offered by the Hiking Hotel Abinea Dolomiti as a weekly tour offer or as a one-time try-out beginners’ day