Learning the Basic Technique | Nordic Walking

[@rogerroth9536]

Based on my very short experience with Nordic Walking, my suggestion to newbies is to start simple, try to keep your head level, pull torso out of hips and walk erect, and try to engage your shoulders w/o overly bending your elbows, i.e., swing your arms from your shoulders as much as possible. Feel your shoulders working. You will learn as you practice what works and what you should adjust. I mentioned over my first week I shortened my poles from 115cm to 105cm. They work much better for me when shorter. I may lengthen them again as I improve. I think I'm noticing considerable improvement in my posture and in my arms and shoulders. I've always been a dedicated walker, adding poles only a week ago. Good Nordic walking to you!

[@khushikaur1260]

Thanks Roger

[@ruby11]

Well I hate running, like walking and this looks like something to love. Thank you, very informative.

[@purrvananna]

I bought poles last winter to help me not fall down (also wore ice grips on shoes). Now I want to try this Nordic Walking in the summer. I'm 74 with arthritic knees. Hope I don't fall over! I'll try it though...would be good to increase my slow pace (everyone passes me!).

[@JunePhillips-r6g]

Use an elderly gait not this one

[@IngotAU]

Thank you, this is so helpful! 😃👍 Before seeing this, I experimented with trekking poles, but didn't know about releasing grip on the poles on the upswing. Quickly I noticed friction, and that blisters were starting to form. Now I know that I was letting the grips twist in my hands, and I was putting too much pressure on the poles. Can't wait to try out the exercise demonstrated in this video! Super helpful post, thanks!

[@SikanaEnglish]

This comment means so much! Thank you very much and we're glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@rogerroth9536]

Good Luck! I'm 81. Recently took up poles. I don't open my hands at all. Nor do I walk at this guy's pace. I simply don't "oversqueeze" my pole handles. When I'm pushing on one of them when its point is behind me, I have to grip the handle "a little tighter." When I'm done with the power stroke, I simply relax that hand, but I do not open it. I'm not out to win a race of some sort. I just want to engage my upper body, core, arms and shoulders to a reasonable extent. I'm doing pretty well, I think, even though some die hard polers might say I'm doing it all wrong. All I know is, after a mile of nordic pole walking, I'm about done because of how exhausting it is for me. I'm learning to "Pace" myself, to not push so much with my poles, and that has allowed me to go 2+ miles without exhausting myself. Take it easy. You'll benefit.

[@leovirata2655]

thank you Sir. @@rogerroth9536

[@caroldixon3952]

​@@rogerroth9536 So glad to hear it. I'm 77 with osteoarthritis in lots of joints so there's no way I could match this guy's pace. Also I need support when walking like you and will not be able to trail the stick behind me as I need them for balance. Good advice about not letting the handles burn your hands. Thank you.

[@janetbrady6449]

Very clear instructions with walking, hand and pole actions broken down into easy to follow steps. Thank you.

[@galleta_2024]

Perfect video. Talking while demonstrating. To the point and understandable. Thank you.

[@SikanaEnglish]

You're welcome

[@belladonnelly8063]

Just learning about Nordic walking 🚶‍♀️ right now I can’t wait to get my Nordic sticks to start

[@clairetrotter9108]

This is the best Nordic walking video for me - truly inspired and works great for me! Keep it simple!

[@maserati925]

This is the best straightforward video on Nordic walking! I have been doing this for a while since I lived in Switzerland and I’m back in USA and don’t really see people using trekking poles (not sure why as they are delightful🥰) but just wanted to make sure that I was using them correctly, thanks!

[@SikanaEnglish]

Thanks for your comment! We appreciate it very much 😊

[@Goteborgh]

Swedish guy in Miami since 28 years, I have yet to see anyone other than me doing this -and I am out there every day. The best part was that when I added poles I immediately lifted my average heart rate by 15-20% over the same workout: an extra day workout a week!

[@deborahbarker8232]

So glad I found this video. Ordered my first pair of poles (due to arrive tomorrow) and I can't wait to try them.

[@SikanaEnglish]

That's great to hear ! Hope you will enjoy the experience 😃

[@khushikaur1260]

Let me know how your walking experience goes Deborah! 😜

[@Brockthedog315]

Very clear and concise. Good instruction and training. Well done.

[@neenaprahallad6934]

Love Nordic walking.. Well explained with fantastic Demonstration... Thank you ❤❤

[@pjwear]

Very good summary - we did it at the weekend and loved it!

[@absentedubureau]

Very helpful and easy to follow video, kept brief and efficient. Thank you 👣👣

[@secondjulia]

Oh thank you so much for this! The other videos I saw didn't show enough of the movement from the side and I didn't understand that the angle of the poles was supposed to be like that. I thought maybe you were supposed to reach out more, like making the poles go vertical or in a forward angle when your hand swings forward and I couldn't get the rhythm right. This makes it so much clearer!

[@dimidd6724]

Great Video for a Starter! Thank you!

[@rosemaryclarke2969]

This would have been more useful if it included instructions on how to adjust the poles for your height. They look pretty long compared to what a cane might be, for example.

[@d.m.christina]

This is about basic nordic walking technic, not about adapting poles. Poles in one piece are better. You can take your lenght and multiply it with 0,68. This will give you the lenght of the poles you should buy for yourself. One can normally not adapt the lenght of nordic walking poles. You need to buy the poles that are suitable for your lenght.

[@erindorn3745]

Adjust your poles to slightly below 90-degree angle and work from there. They will be much longer than for a cane because the purpose is incredibly different. I hope this helps!

[@ponyrang]

My best friend, Enjoyed watching this video my friend Really awesome views Thank you Stay connected

[@tadeuszpawlik8094]

Verry helpfull instruction for beginers. Thank you,

[@mrfish1096]

She has a lovely voice

[@alona270]

Thank you for the great explanation!😮

[@ferrerolounge1910]

This is an enriching workout. I love it. I am 30!

[@SikanaEnglish]

So happy you enjoyed it !

[@howardstein-wz9pl]

@@SikanaEnglish what brand of walking shoes was the man wearing in the video. Where can I purchase them? Thank you.

[@sandras2479]

Great video! Thank you.

[@SikanaEnglish]

You are welcome :-)

[@Tompsf1]

A good clear video. Thank you!

[@EasilyEternallyMissed]

Thank you! I love walking but I don't enjoy running as such or Jogging. I find it difficult how my feet should be placed (I tend to run on my tiptoes - apparently that is not the correct way to Jog/Run). I can't wait to try Nordic Walking ☺☺

[@rogerroth9536]

The walker is moving along at a very fast clip. I don't think this is necessary, especially for old timers like me. Also, I don't completely release poles at the back of the swing. I just never grip them tightly, esp. at the beginning of the power stroke. At first, my hands went numb. I "cradle" the pole handle in my fingers and use the strap for power, careful not to injure my wrists. You have to be careful not to overdo, esp. if you're older. Also, I found that if I try to stroke from the shoulder, keeping my elbows "firm" but not tight, I still get upper body involvement even though my power stroke is not as long as a younger walker's. I'm 81. I do what is reasonable. I'm not out to break records. Nordic walking, for me at it for only a week, has proven to be enjoyable, physically demanding but not overly so, and I think quite beneficial, especially for my upper body and posture. (You've got to nordic walk upright.). One more thing: I started out with poles at 115cm and now they're set at 105cm and I find them far easier to use. I'm 5'9" but have short legs, arms and a long torso. I try very hard to engage my shoulders with a good arm swing.

[@khushikaur1260]

I wish you health, happiness, and prosperity Roger

[@Sharrazan1]

Hi Roger, good post. I had knee replacement surgery 2 years ago, which left me with a walking problem. I get back pain walking with a stick which actually puts me off walking any distance ! I am 74 and a friend in her 80's, also with walking difficulties has changed her life for the better changing to poles! Got to be worth a try 😊

[@rogerroth9536]

@@Sharrazan1 Good luck, Sharrazan! Stay well!

[@judyfrosini3431]

Are you doing a course? Does it include gymnastics before and after the walk? Mine does & is perfect for elderlies like us

[@intensiveblack4076]

This is a great explanation! Thank you so much,

[@mariacardenas4775]

Good video and clear explanation thanks

[@JeffreyGSmith]

Very helpful. I love using my LL Bean trekking poles!

[@charlievickers8116]

This looks so easy but it's actually not to do this correctly.. but i will still try :D

[@stoneglad]

Looks like fun!

[@SikanaEnglish]

Thank you so much for your support and comment! We are really happy to help. If you liked our video, we invite you to put a like and to watch our other videos about Nordic Walking!

[@StardustLegacyFighter]

I definitely got to get into this.

[@deborahgrantham7387]

Why do people think a soothing British voice makes everything more authentic ?

[@diptifrankel2504]

Because they are British?? People DO speak like that in the UK you know!

[@pauleenfurio8607]

Read and Learned about this in Awake Magazine 😍

[@letgo1064]

Excellent thank you 😊

[@EastonWest1211]

Yay I can walk now

[@A-Gut-of-the-Past]

Sorry if this has been asked already but does anyone know the make of the poles he's using in the video? Thanks in advance.

[@rasacornillie9322]

Very good video and thanks the community for sharing their experiences 👍 Quick question- is it ok to use one pole at times?Would it still bring any benefits?

[@Special-Delivery57]

Thank you

[@martinbrandom2654]

It's incredible how walking has been franchised into a thing.

[@MrSmokinDragon]

a) it originated in Finland in the middle of last century, so just about as far removed from "franchising" as you can get in the western world, and b) it activates and uses many more large muscle-groups than regular walking. Are you also complaining that moving your legs in a circle has been "franchised" into cycling?

[@JustLearning]

I saw another video that advocated not gripping the poles but instead pushing off on them from the strap.

[@tracylf5409]

Can you only use them on a soft path like dirt? Or, can they be used on sidewalks/roads? Would that ruin the tips?

[@marcopolo9146]

The tips on my poles are a hard rubber that eventually will wear down on roads or sidewalks but only after considerable use. Having said that replacement tips are very reasonably priced and available online or at an outdoors shop. They are easy to replace.

[@BigWillieP100]

Great, but how do you manage walking a dog?

[@seanthiar]

I think one basic is missing - how to find the right length of pole.

[@joaquinrico123]

Seems like a lot of heel striking is going on here?? I love hiking poles, but reaching this far forward with the lead leg looks like ouch for the hip and knee joint.

[@shmeagol]

Would 30 minutes of this burn about as much calories as one hour of regular brisk walking?

[@jkadude2010]

This look very interesting. I have a bone spur in my right hip which causes pain when walking long distances. Will this help if I can push through the pain? Also is there a program that goes from beginner to advanced to help someone learn correctly and progress efficiently and appropriately? Thank you

[@redavis6581]

I've been Nordic walking my entire life and never knew it

[@tracylf5409]

Now, where can I buy these in Australia?

[@illuviium]

Can someone please help me understand? I’m an American and I learned about this “walk” today and I don’t understand it. Ho is it different from walking?

[@yct12]

His left hand and right hand does the holding part opposite ways though.

[@ferrerolounge1910]

When I do it, the stick is dragging from behind to the front. But when he does it, it is lifting off the ground and landing correctly in the front. How is that possible?

[@amanda5764]

Is it possible you need to adjust the length of the pole?

[@tmdad]

Adjust length and/or arm swing speed.

[@andeegreen]

I’m using this as a tool to walk straight. I’ve stopped using crutches but my gait is wonky as I have one leg longer since surgery.

[@IngotAU]

Sounds like a great plan, wishing you all the best! 😃👍

[@joaniecastelli4428]

I’m 5’2” what height should the poles be

[@MYTU1900]

I noticed that his foot always landed on the heel - I thought that the foot should always land on the front part of the foot which is more flexible - and landing on the heel will cause knee prob;lems ? Maybe thats just true for running ?

[@carolcox7556]

You are surpost to roll through your foot. Landing on ypur heel and push off from the toes.. as if squashing a lemon underfoot. This should.. make you you walk with a much better posture. 🤗

[@Jade-pd3wm]

All walking and running should start with the heel and roll through to the ball of the foot. in the direction Heel to toe. I have at times walked on tip toes or toe to heel myself in the house as it is quieter.

[@tonylegge7261]

@@Jade-pd3wm I think you are wrong - Injury studies show that you should land on midfoot or toes when running as there is far less shock to the body...

[@atbaritone]

@@tonylegge7261 correct. No heal for best running form and injury prevention.

[@tonylegge7261]

@hulladaemon Yes but I was replying to Jade, who talked about running!

[@fhsa7239]

What's a Polish has to do with Norwegian walk?

[@rareview24]

Very cool

[@maxlinder5262]

Just like skiing ......

[@haikaljohari5550]

I will just use bamboo, i have lot of bamboo at the backyard

[@alaoguz]

What if doing it without poles?

[@Krabadaque]

Well, that's of course, something else!

[@laurenbendik2006]

i think that's just called walking

[@alaoguz]

@@laurenbendik2006 hahahaha:))))

[@RandyResnick]

@@laurenbendik2006 Especially if you can do it in a Nordic country!

[@ryemurless-chapman829]

Please tell me where I can purchase the poles?

[@dakotalake9084]

Depending on where you live, do a search for nordic poles

[@vasilisomalakas4791]

Sto kolo s

[@smokie33]

Is Nordic walking good for chronic knee pain?

[@dakotalake9084]

You'd have to ask a Sports doctor to get a good answer.

[@Krabadaque]

You may try very gently at first - don't move as fast as the guy in the video. If it feels good, it's probably good, if you feel worse stop it!

[@mikec1571]

It is very good for your knees especially going up or down hill. Your arms/ upper body take some of the impact off of your knees hips and back

[@gardensofthegods]

Do you know what the source of your knee pain is ? I was doing the British race walking a lot at one point in September ... at one point i did overdo it and had some pain but that was after i had healed myself from a very bad ripped and punctured meniscus ... I never had the surgery (because i didn't want the anesthesia which can cause memory loss issues ) and I never got the glucose injections (because it had steroids which ironically eat away at joints .) the surgeon's assistant said i'll never get better without one of those two treatments . But when i didn't overdo it and was careful about the knee twisting if i was making turns , there was no problem . Also , contrary to popular opinion , the worst thing for painful knees is to put weight on them . If you are carrying things like heavy groceries , you need to carry it on the side that doesn't have the painful knee and you need to stop lifting heavy things . Also contrary to what a lot of people will tell you , it's not good to workout with weights if it puts pressure on painful knees . In fact my brother used to be a bodybuilder and now in his 60's both of his knees are so bad he can barely walk ... and need to have both knees replaced .

[@gardensofthegods]

Also this is not a good video because the guy has bad posture and if you look at when he's actually do in the Nordic walking his back is not straight and therefore his rib cage is leaning down over the stomach .

[@tgod775]

Who's here from rains tweet?

[@JamesSmith-bw8dw]

If you buy ski poles to walk your that person

[@briancoleman6709]

Does anyone successfully incorporate a dog walk into this? seems unlikely to work

[@multiplebunnies]

See kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zqacapxuot6Ko7M

[@Alteori]

I suppose you can get a leash where you tie the dog to your waist but it would require enough training so that they stay away from the sticks

[@JohnLessnau]

Why do I need poles?

[@amanda5764]

Because Nordic walking requires poles. It engages the upper body for a better workout than simply walking.

[@IngotAU]

Agree with Amanda about increased upper body engagement. Also use of poles increases sensory feedback, which many people find to be beneficial to mood/intellectual engagement

[@DB-cx6cb]

When I’ve listen to the Nordic Walker Channel on U Tube and several other certified Instructor’s All say, you never grip handles tightly in any position but keep a loose grip on handle’s. Somebody must be incorrect.

[@nguyenlinhchi91]

I dont know if striking the road that hard is good for the knees

[@pvtvaladez]

Heel toe for walking yes. Running no. I'd wear zero drop shoes for natural movement

[@electricstrider2665]

this is wrong, heel strike not good, 2 much bouncing up &down movement, this shld b similar 2 xCountry skiing, body s relaxed not stiff

[@deejustdoyou4433]

I guess I Nordic walk naturally

[@JunePhillips-r6g]

Not a gait for elderly with balance issues!

[@RamblingTog]

Put one foot in front of the other and repeat. Make coffee enjoy

[@zacharyyork5474]

Who came here froom Alan Wake? haha

[@kelliott7864]

I tried this in public and was recruited by the ministry of silly walks.

[@yellowboot6629]

I'm just practicing Nordic Walking... because of the high blood pressure ☝️+🥃🤸training 🤣🤣🤣... It's obvious! For Health ☝️

[@chip9832]

Just give me an ebike

[@jpegjake]

this looks like way too much heal for endurance...

[@joeholland9593]

This looks like it guarantees a future of repetitive motion injuries. Gripping and ungripping like that is throwing fuel on the carpal tunnel fire. I have issues just from using a mouse for 30+ years.

[@spar8334]

idk if imma do this

[@us-bw6hg]

Yeah you should probably study English instead.

[@spar8334]

@@us-bw6hg yes right after i nordic walk to your mommas house

[@michaelbrown5267]

I've seen a number of these videos on youtube and I think it's absolutely tragic that these relatively young people who look to be in otherwise excellent health need not one but two walking sticks in order to get around.

[@johnriperti3127]

also known as "Zombie walk"

[@armisis]

The use of unnatural heal toe walking is bad on knees and feet. Walk on the balls of your feet naturally.

[@1honeychild]

😂

[@opieshomeshop]

*_That is so lame. A runner hardly burns 100 calories per mile. Walking of any kind does nothing for cardio and offers no exercise value at all. You will burn less that 15 calories per mile. It's a huge waste of time._*