The ultimate outdoor sport, Nordic walking is not just about putting one foot in front of the other! Using special poles (which resemble those used in cross-country skiing), the walker progresses rapidly by swinging his arms and mobilizing all the muscles in his body. Not yet tempted? We give you 3 good reasons to get started …
- It’s great for the line. 400: this is, on average, the number of calories you burn in one hour of Nordic walking. Compared to “traditional” walking, calorie expenditure is increased by around 40%. And as this discipline calls on all the muscular chains of the body (arms, thighs, buttocks, abdominal belt), we refine quickly … and everywhere!
- It is excellent for your health. Nordic walking is an endurance sport: prolonged effort increases respiratory capacity, preserves the cardiovascular system and maintains joint mobility. In addition, muscle strengthening particularly fights back and neck pain. Ideal for staying healthy … without straining too much.
- It’s good for morale. Necessarily practiced outdoors (and ideally outside the city), Nordic walking allows stress and tension to be evacuated, while taking advantage of healthy oxygenation. And since it is also possible to practice in a group, it is also an opportunity to expand your social circle …
Where to practice it?
In athletics clubs (there are 700 in France that offer this activity).
Each Nordic walking session takes place more or less in the same way: first, a muscle and joint warm-up phase (about 15 minutes), then a course with a slight drop in height (on dirt paths, generally) and finally, some stretches (15 minutes), intended to avoid stiffness.
To find out more, visit the official website of the French Athletics Federation.
