OH! Magazine - Australian Version October 2018 | Page 5

( FITNESS & MOTIVATION )
MICHELLE
BRIDGES
NORDIC WALK
YOUR WAY TO OPTIMUM HEALTH
Michelle Bridges explains the wonders of Nordic Walking.

W
hen is walking not just walking?
When it’s Nordic Walking!
As the name suggests, Nordic Walking
hails from the Nordic region, and it’s a
fantastic way to add variety to your
walking and exercise regime.
Nordic Walking is easier to do than regular
walking; it’s great for boosting endurance-
based fitness, and it can be done purely
for fun, to improve your fitness, or to help
with rehabilitation.
The simple addition of the poles, coupled
with correct technique, results in greater
stability and control. They also make it
less physically demanding than regular
walking. This creates a simple but
profound way to enable people who might
otherwise be physically limited – such as
those with MS, Parkinson’s, arthritis, or
anyone else who struggles with regular
walking – to participate in regular physical
activity, and maintain their independence
and quality of life.
So how do you do it?
All you need is a pair of Nordic Walking
poles, some instruction around technique
(yes, there is a technique to Nordic
Walking), and you’ll be ready to rock and
roll! The poles make it easier to propel
yourself uphill, to control yourself when
going downhill and if you’re walking in
rugged terrain, they’ll help you to keep
your balance better too.
First up, think of Nordic Walking as an an
enhancement of your regular walking
style. So:
•
Keep your shoulders relaxed, holding
your poles in a loose grip and keeping
the
tips
pointing
diagonally
backward.
• Lean slightly forwards, and let your
arms swing naturally as you take
longer than normal strides.
• Plant your front pole tip down
between the front and back foot. As
your right foot is in front, the left
pole is planted down (a natural
walking gait is opposite arm swinging
forward to the front-stepping leg).
Like all new activities, when you first
begin it’s a good idea to get some
instruction from a qualified Nordic
Walking instructor. This way you know
you’ll be moving correctly, so you can
then go forth and conquer!
To learn more online, check out Nordic
Walking Australia or the Nordic Walking
Academy.
CONNECT WITH MICHELLE VIA:
Web: michellebridges.com.au
Facebook: Mishy.Bridges
Twitter: @mishbridges
Instagram: @mishbridges
OH! MAGAZINE ( OCTOBER 2018 )
5