There is nothing new about walking for fitness. It comes naturally. We used to do a lot of it when we were young. We used to walk everywhere. My experience in the army tells me now that Route Marching was meant to get and keep me fit for battle. I thought it was organized torture and that the officers and NCOs were just enjoying themselves watching troops fall by the wayside one after the other while denying even a sip from the water bottle. Now I see sections, platoons and yes; even companies (not that we would dare use such terms in their presence) of civilians out on the hiking trails just high-bootin it up Giants Head Road and the Trans Canada Trail (and they are even in step). The more things change the more they stay the same.

There is nothing special or difficult about walking as a physical activity. The question was: How could we make walking a better overall workout without feeling like one is using more of their limited energy reserves? Well across Europe and more recently in North America millions of people have taken up Nordic Walking to provide a better overall workout and to exercise more than just the legs and Gluteus Maximus (butt).

The innovative addition of poles to the simple sport of walking involves the greater majority of the body's total muscle mass in the upper body, and using pole-walking techniques puts all these muscles to use with every step you take. You can gain more fitness value by simultaneously exercising all the body's major muscles! Just as in Nordic Skiing (Cross Country Skiing) Nordic Walking (Pole Walking) uses two specially designed poles to work the upper body while striding out. Just like Cross Country Skiing, poles are used to synchronize the arms to match each stride a person takes.

For a more efficient but easier cardio workout, Pole Walking increases the heart rate without increasing the perceived rate of exertion. You get a better workout without feeling like you are working any harder. The upper body workout while Pole Walking exercises the arms, shoulders, upper chest and back muscles through a full range of motion, stretching and lengthening those muscles which otherwise don't get much use.

Of particular benefit to seniors the poles provide more stability on any surface for walkers who have balance, hip, knee, or leg problems. The poles promote proper posture. For nature trails, the poles provide stability for walkers much like a hiking stick. Just conduct this simple test right where you are reading this article. Extend yours hands and arms out over the surface of the table in front of you. Close your hands into fists with the thumbs up. Sit upright and alternately press first one fist then the other into the desk repeatedly. If you are doing it properly and with exertion you should be feeling your abdominal muscles, back, arm, shoulder, chest and core muscles contract each time you push! You'll do 1,800 - 2,000 similar muscle contractions per kilometre as you apply energy to the walking poles.

You should feel like you're working less while accomplishing much more because the work is shared by so many major muscles but with less risk of injury. Exercise smarter - not harder! Have more fun while conditioning more muscle as you walk and talk! Take any walking activity and add the poles - volkssport walking, geo-caching, cross-country hiking and voila! What a step (hic) out of the box!

Jerry Flaman    This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it