What is Nordic walking? The fitness trend everyone’s talking about

Written by: Dr Subita Alagh Reviewed by: Dr. Swati Mishra 26 June 2025

What Is Nordic Walking?

[{"selector":"#anim-df03caaa-ee87-44b5-a3d7-99bdbf17d02d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46984967-fcd9-4bf6-a22e-88680a00085e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.57562%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7f06378f-b194-406c-82fb-26a404817491","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c0b8204a-b7a7-41dd-bb5e-54583aba1e85","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 392.86911%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A full-body walking workout using specially designed poles, known for its strength and waist-shrinking benefits. Photo Credit: Freepik

More Than Just Walking

[{"selector":"#anim-0878aff1-2737-403a-8cb6-1d934c7bd0a4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1b8a5cc4-f2e1-4f7a-bf28-2cb9c6e7c929","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.1933%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46902c24-6d8e-41a5-b089-8214534a8148","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-477c8c0d-cfa7-4a95-8d0d-57f8d77f02ad","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 392.86911%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Unlike regular walking, Nordic walking engages both the upper and lower body, turning a simple walk into a full-body workout. Photo Credit: Freepik

Burns More Calories

[{"selector":"#anim-d2f18565-abad-4712-8a97-797b5f9293b3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6f765147-cf0f-4a14-b4fd-8850d7d2f09c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.57562%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d6d42678-2fbd-4ef6-9e87-4a4b9b85e565","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e2be0416-2d20-45ce-9b27-55f0a760e09a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 664.50653%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] It can burn up to 46% more calories than normal walking. Perfect for weight loss & metabolism boost. Photo Credit: Freepik

Built for Endurance

[{"selector":"#anim-93813180-501e-466a-893d-e0025d31822e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6c3b67ed-d38f-4aff-be92-5309d26d3b56","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.1933%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-28981d77-fee5-4e33-8291-1371f770f38f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c969da1-de5d-4fe1-9149-3b042c00efaa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 664.50653%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Originally used by Finnish cross-country skiers for off-season training. Now, a global low-impact fitness trend. Photo Credit: Freepik

Great for Posture

[{"selector":"#anim-07f56b2a-8a8c-4138-a815-6609fe493ad9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5b6c1964-3139-48f3-bf95-3d3bd479a056","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.1933%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-de860186-38a5-4b9f-bfca-76f093c3b745","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2273c899-e2dd-491b-8665-8050b8b0f686","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 664.50653%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Poles encourage a straight spine, open chest, and natural walking rhythm. It makes you walk tall, breathe better. Photo Credit: Freepik

Heart-Friendly

[{"selector":"#anim-144ed576-842e-4309-bece-93059eebe7e1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ebc6af2f-0fd1-4926-b243-0e81edeb6797","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.1933%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6115885c-155f-4a7e-8a05-be4894e504cf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-54df7715-3963-4a5b-8bda-2e2c34437886","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 664.50653%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Nordic walking is a cardiovascular exercise that’s gentle on the joints. Good for heart health and muscle tone. Photo Credit: Freepik

Who Should Try It?

[{"selector":"#anim-e5528ea8-92be-4697-9af3-1becf58256d3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ca6cbd69-a74b-49b3-b2f3-129a01801ccf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 131.12411%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7bfbc150-a263-4803-9a6e-17b1d7c4c617","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-29147247-0428-4b72-8792-fcf9f5cacc61","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 722.83992%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] -Beginners -Older adults -Those recovering from injury - Fitness enthusiasts wanting variety Photo Credit: Freepik

How to Start Nordic Walking

[{"selector":"#anim-d4e2907a-b590-4e41-b47e-614899144199","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1b828f3-25ec-48ff-9b03-8beda56ebb16","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 153.57682%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fdd9971f-e8d5-4dc8-9ace-5d2a8d0cb763","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-74782bb2-c91b-49f6-9587-be4af5820077","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 433.1677%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Grab Nordic poles, wear comfy shoes, and step outdoors. Start slow, focus on technique, and enjoy full-body fitness. Photo Credit: Freepik

What is Nordic walking? The fitness trend everyone’s talking about