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Health & Fitness

Nordic Walking: Your Arms Get as Much of Workout as Your Legs

Join me as I walk my way around Marin using the full-body technique I learned in Europe.

There was a time when I was young and my main form of exercise was running.  I never was a runner; more of a plodder.  But I would put in about 20 miles a week and pretend to be in shape. 

As time went by, my body began to protest more and more.  I could put up with the occasional ache and pain but when my back started complaining, I had to pay attention.  I did yoga.  I went to a chiropractor.  I even tried acupuncture.  Nothing worked perfectly (although I still do the yoga stuff).  The fact of the matter was that if I wanted to run, I was going to have to put up with lower back pain.

Then my wife introduced me to Nordic walking.

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Many of you have heard of the NordicTrack.  This is a treadmill type device where you sort of simulate the actions of cross country skiing.  It is supposed to be one of the best, full-body workouts that you can get.

Nordic walking is the NordicTrack without the track.

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Better yet, you have to do it outdoors as opposed to your living room.

Here is how it works:  You get your walking sticks and you start walking.  Your arms play a very important role in that they MUST help to propel you forward as you walk.  Additionally, the pace is usually brisk so count on a cardio-workout as well.

I typically go for a Nordic walk about five times a week.  My usual distance is between 3 and 6 miles which I cover in one to two hours.  When I am done, I’m breathing hard and my arms are as tired as my legs.  The best part is that I will have just spent a good deal of time in the beautiful Marin outdoors.

I am looking for people to join me.  I have a website where I have posted a training video where you can see how this actually works.  On this same site, I am posting a time and place for my next “group” walk.  You are invited to join me.  If no one shows up, that’s not a problem.  My dog will be happy to keep my company.  Click on this link to find out more about my next group walk.

Aside from walking...

I also spend time saving the world.

Gotta go.

Up, up and away...

My other blogs:

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