When does Nordic walking feel good for you? Correct! When you master the technique with ease. Because then you walk efficiently, harmoniously, dynamically and without struggling. That’s why many people ask themselves: How to learn Nordic walking?
Here I will show you everything about the right Nordic walking technique and you can learn the basics quickly and safely in 10 easy steps. If you have read the article to the end, you will have the first answers to the question: How to learn Nordic walking? Once you get the hang of it, you walk technically clean and you benefit greatly from the positive effects of the perfect Nordic walking technique.
Before you start watch this:
How to learn Nordic walking? The 10 most important basic elements
Beginners in particular often rack their brains about how to start with Nordic Walking. But the good news is: Learning the individual basic elements of Nordic walking is not difficult with a little practice. The greater challenges for beginners only arise when the individual elements of the basic technique have to be coordinated. Here you will find a brief overview of the complete movement sequence in Nordic walking.
1. Diagonal movement
Nordic walking is based on normal walking, i.e. the opposite movement of arms and legs forwards and backwards. You move your left leg and your right arm or your right leg and your left arm forwards and backwards at the same time. If you master this coordination, then you are on the right path. But you don’t just move your arms and legs – your pelvic girdle actively rotates against your shoulder girdle.
2. Tilted torso
Your upper body is slightly tilted forward at the hips. You should neither lean your upper body too far back nor too far forward. You also raise your sternum to breathe easier and walk more upright. This gives your lungs enough room to breathe.
3. Look straight ahead
What I have noticed is that Nordic walking beginners in particular often look on their feet to better coordinate their feet and legs. But your head should generally be level. You look straight ahead with your eyes.
4. Relaxed shoulders
Let your shoulders and arms hang relaxed on your body. Avoid lifting them spasmodically during the movement. The right shoulder rotates forward and backward simultaneously with the left hip and the left shoulder rotates with the right hip. The movements follow your normal body rhythm.
5. Bent knee
Always keep your front knee slightly bent. It should never be stretched out. By not straightening your knee, you avoid injuries and don’t slow yourself down.
6. Drawn toes
As you swing one leg forward, tuck your toes toward your shin. Your feet should point as straight forward as possible.
7. Flat heel attachment
You place each foot flat on the ground with the heel first. Then you perform the rolling movement over the outer edge, the ball of your foot and the big toe joint. Avoid landing too steeply with the heel or with the ball of the foot or midfoot.
8. Active arms
Your arm movements come from the shoulder joint and not from the elbow joint. With the arm movement you also determine the step length; the further your arms swing forward, the bigger steps you automatically walk. Avoid stretching your arms completely, always keep them slightly bent.
9. Opening and closing hands
It is also important that your hands do not permanently grasp the Nordic walking poles. You open your hands from hip height when swinging backwards and close them again from hip height when swinging forward. It’s a feeling like throwing the poles away behind you. Opening the hands is possible because high-quality Nordic walking poles have hand straps.
10. Poles close to body
Always keep the Nordic walking poles as close to your body as possible. Place them on the ground in the middle between the front and back feet.
After reading this, you already know the ten most important things to consider when it comes to Nordic walking. We will expand the website bit by bit with pictures and videos to make learning Nordic walking even easier for you. Until then, just have a look on YouTube to find out more about how to learn Nordic walking. There you will find great trainers and helpful explanations for your Nordic walking journey. Or you can book a course to learn how to practise Nordic walking. I wish you a lot of joy and success with it. Andrea
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