Nordic walking is an increasingly popular leisure activity. Don’t know how to start training to avoid basic mistakes? Tips can be found below!
Do you want to start your adventure with physical activity, but you are in poor shape, because so far you have shunned movement and preferred passive rest? Or maybe you are worried that your PESEL is not the freshest and too intensive training may endanger your health? If you are looking for a physical activity that will allow you to train at a moderate intensity in beautiful natural surroundings, then opt for Nordic walking! You will move your whole body, improve your condition, strengthen your muscles and feel a few years younger! Read this text to the end and you will find out what mistakes beginners make most often and what to do to avoid them.
The first mistake you may encounter is the wrong equipment. People who encounter this type of physical activity for the first time look for poles on sale in stores. This is not a good decision. Firstly, this type of equipment may be of poor quality. Secondly, the poles should be adjusted to your height. Poles that are too short or too long not only make the workout more difficult and tiring, but also increase the likelihood of injuries. If you want to buy good quality Nordic walking poles, go to a sports store (you can also order equipment from an online store). If you do not know which type of poles to decide on, then seek advice from the sales clerk. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – the store’s trained staff will certainly be happy to dispel all your doubts.
Wrong shoes are another common mistake. As in the case of footwear, as in the case of poles, choosing the wrong model will result not only in lowering the comfort of training, but also in an increased probability of an injury. What kind of footwear is worth choosing? First of all, it should be adjusted to the surface you are training on. If you’re training in the woods, make sure the sole has good grip and the tread profile is correct. It’s also good if your shoes have a waterproof layer, so that you can go for a workout regardless of the weather outside. Your footwear should fit snugly – if it’s too loose or too tight, you’ll soon develop painful abrasions and corns.
If you often train in poor weather conditions and your shoes catch moisture quickly, buy at least two pairs of training shoes. Make sure they dry well before putting one pair back on. If you soak your shoes several times during a workout before they have had a chance to dry, you may have great difficulty getting rid of their characteristic odor.
To people standing on the sidelines and watching Nordic Walking enthusiasts in action, it often seems that “swinging the poles” is child’s play. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone who wants to exercise in a proper way should focus on the technique of both leg and arm work. It is worth remembering to keep the most natural walking style during training. Your arms and legs should alternate (right hand/left leg). If you swing your arms too much, your gait will no longer feel natural and you may get injured.
These are just three mistakes that are extremely common among beginners who are passionate about hiking with poles. Do your best to learn the correct walking technique, consult a specialist in the selection of footwear and poles, and you will quickly see that your training can be much more effective, and above all, safer! Injuries are often the result of downplaying minor shortcomings – don’t forget that!
Featured photo: Freepik
