Indoor Walking

Sometimes you may be driven indoors for your exercise due to weather or darkness. The belts on most treadmills are not wide enough for Nordic walking. You may be able to walk at an indoor mall. Some malls open early for mall walking, or you could just go during slow hours. If you work in or otherwise have access to a large building, you may be able to walk the halls. If you have to miss a Nordic walking workout, ride an exercise bike, do some yoga, or do another exercise of your choice so you don't get out of the habit of working out. Get back to Nordic walking as soon as you can. And, don't forget, in winter there's cross-country skiing.

Clubs and Classes

Many people enjoy working out with others. Nordic walking is a fairly new exercise, so you may have trouble finding a club or class. Talk to your local parks and recreation department and see if they can start one. Any exercise leader should be able to learn Nordic walking without any problem. You only need to get a few friends together to start your own club, or you could ask an existing walking club to include Nordic walkers. A store that sells Nordic walking equipment may be glad to help form a club. Or, take your Nordic walking poles when you go with your friends who are doing conventional walking. (You will go at the same speed.) Don't be surprised if they decide they want to try what you're doing! Here's a new online resource you can check out: www.nordicwalkingclubs.com.

Marathon Competition

For the first time, Nordic walking is being included as a separate division in a marathon. The '06 Portland Marathon will allow you to sign up as a Nordic walker. Although walkers participate in most marathons, the Portland Marathon is noted for being especially walker friendly. Individual Nordic walkers or Nordic walking clubs can participate in the walk/run division of other marathons, but they are not timed or awarded prizes separately. The inclusion of Nordic walking at Portland is an indication of the growing popularity of Nordic walking not only as a fitness activity, but as a sport.

Core Training

Nordic walking provides great training for your core muscles. When you use good technique, your core muscles--chiefly abdominals and spinal erectors--automatically contract and release. This improves strength and endurance of the core muscles, and gives a toning and conditioning effect.