By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Everybody knows that walking is good for the health ― it strengthens the muscles, improves lung and heart functioning, is recommended for diabetics and other disease sufferers, not to mention burning up calories without putting too much stress on the body.
In Japan and some European countries, the trend is moving to a more sophisticated method of walking. Inspired by cross-country skiers in Scandinavia, Nordic Walking is experiencing a boom.
Using two walking poles shaped after ski poles, this Finish walking technique makes one consume 46 percent more energy than usual by using 90 percent of the muscles, Hong Ki-il, spokesman of the Korea Health & Nordic Walking Association, said.
``It is also effective for losing weight. The walking burns off 400 kilocalories an hour, much more than the 280 kilocalories lost through ordinary walking. Also, by using the poles, one's posture can be corrected, which can also effect the spine, neck and knees,'' Hong said.
Also, one can perform various stretching exercises using the poles, which can loosen or tighten muscles, he added.
Unlike ordinary pole walking that originated in the United States that places the poles ahead of the body to help reduce the pain of moving, Nordic walking requires one to push the poles backward, as if walking on a ski slope. It requires much more use of the arms and tummy and helps straighten the spine.
``Just doing it for 15-20 minutes, you will feel some pain in the arm muscles that you were never aware of before. But with regular exercise, you will be able to train your body wholly. Also you can adapt the moves when hiking or even inline skating,'' Hong said.
Walking is already popular in Finland, where more than 16 percent of the population are regular walkers, as well as 40 other countries around the world.
In Korea, the exercise was introduced relatively recently, but there are various clubs and classes that teach the basic posture. Poles are sold at several online stores. For more information about the walking technique, visit knwa.or.kr.