Finnish fitness is poles apart
Above: Chris Gladstone, centre, is shown the ropes by John Milton and Sue Littler
I MUST confess I had no idea what Nordic Walking was, writes Chris Gladstone. Trying to ignore visions of bearded blond Vikings stomping over snow-clad mountains John Cleese-style, the brochure showed me instead athletic men and women striding confidently through leafy glades and along sandy paths – with poles. What was all this about? Always eager to try out new and unusual activities, I eagerly snapped up the invitation.
Meeting my instructors, Sue Littler and John Milton, in the grounds of Hatfield House, I learnt that Nordic Walking is essentially a new technique designed to exercise the whole body and increase fitness. The idea is that walking efficiency is increased by taking the strain off the lower joints and using the upper body more, therefore offering a total body workout. John and Sue also claim it will be the fastest growing recreational exercise in the world and could easily be the next fitness fad.
Keen to explore this bold claim and discover how a Nordic activity has found its way onto British shores, I wanted to know why this wasn’t more well-known. As John, also an international squash coach and consultant, explains, ‘It originated in Finland in the 1930s as a training technique during the summer for their Nordic cross-country skiing athletes and they came up with Nordic Walking.’ Ah, now that explains the poles!
Established as an official pastime only about 30 years ago, it was introduced into the UK as recently as 2004. The main manufacturer of equipment, Exel, is in fact Finnish and the local stockist, Aro Ski in Redbourn, was eager to support Nordic Walking primarily to help clients prepare for winter skiing during the summer months. In Finland today, the sport has snowballed so much that it is the main fitness activity of an astonishing 19 per cent of the population, while in the UK Nordic Walking is just starting to become established, with about 300 instructors so far.
A former Hertfordshire county squash champion and Ironman Triathlete herself, Suee explains, ‘The nice thing about Nordic Walking is the average person can do it as a leisurely exercise to improve fitness. It can also be used as a sports-specific exercise for professional athletes as well as for those people in the middle who may go to the gym and want a little bit more than the average person. It is very adaptable, to all levels of fitness and ages.’
I picked up my poles and prepared to put my best foot forward. I started by learning the basic technique of swinging the arms as in normal walking, then holding the poles as well, and finally planting the poles correctly while moving forward. Apart from a good pair of trainers, the only equipment needed is the set of poles which were surprisingly light and, made of carbon fibre, also flexible and strong. And so there I was, striding down the grass with my poles, using my arms, hips and shoulders to propel myself along, planting my feet correctly. I know it’s second nature to walk with arms swinging the opposite side to the leg but, gripping the poles and trying to focus on stride and using all the body, it’s not as simple as it sounds. But eventually it clicked.
Venturing across parkland expanses, I found we had covered many hundreds of yards apparently effortlessly. The upper half of my body was working well, my hips were starting to swing in more of a swagger and my legs didn’t feel as tired as I imagined they would. John elaborates as we walk. ‘Nordic Walking brings the use of the arms back into walking and burns about 20 per cent more calories. It’s a complete body workout without the effort you need to put into a gym. I know we’re reasonably fit but we’ve never felt tired or stiff the next day.’
Sue adds, ‘Nordic Walking uses about 90 per cent of the skeletal muscle which is why so much more energy is used up. It increases your stride length and the rotation of your body which is great for your stomach muscles.’
John and Sue, both in their 50s, are licensed Nordic Walking instructors and, meeting on a trainers’ course, decided to join forces to start up One Step Ahead. Becoming qualified instructors in April, they are members of Nordic Walking UK affiliated to the International Nordic Walking Association.
I was surprised how natural the walking had been and ended feeling fresh and invigorated, even imagining continuing happily for several more miles. My legs weren’t aching, I could feel that my shoulders and arms had paid their way and, as I wasn’t flat out on the ground in a puffing heap, I classed this as an excellent result!
Even though in its infancy in the UK, it is clear to see Nordic Walking is poised to take off, especially in this age of increased fitness awareness. Advertised as a low-cost social fitness activity where technique is not as important as enjoyment, its simplicity and availability could mean it won’t be long before trails of Nordic Walkers will be seen zigzagging the land, its pioneers no longer hearing the predictable quip, ‘Oi, mate, lost your skis?’
Article taken from October issue of Hertfordshire Life