Judy Myatt, a Certified Nordic Pole Walking Instructor..
will lead our Nordic Pole Walking group on Friday mornings at 10:00. We generally meet at the second entrance to the Shore Road in West Chezzetcook but occasionally explore other areas. The Shore Road walk, from end to end, is 8K return and is considered to be an easy walk as the ground is flat with the exception of a slight grade at one end. The scenery is beautiful and changes with the tides, winds and seasons.
We have 6 sets of poles to lend out. Judy will provide some basic instruction if you haven't tried this form of exercise before, provided you let her know prior to the morning's walk. We do walk in inclement weather, unless it is a blizzard or raining cats and dogs torrential downpour. You can also purchase poles from Judy. Contact her at
Please check our Facebook page for changes in venue or times or for special events and challenges. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ATShore/
What is Nordic Pole Walking?
Nordic Pole Walking (NPW) is an excellent low-impact exercise that offers the highest benefits for health, wellness and fitness in a low impact, highly effective activity. Nordic Walking Poles enable you to incorporate over 90% of all your body muscles.
Walking with poles is not new. Pole waking started in the 1930’s when it became the perfect off season training solution for cross country skiers in Finland. The activity exploded across Europe in the 1990s and has grown to the point where today more than 20 per cent of Finns and about 10-15 million Germans regularly pole walk. And it is now making its way into North America, in large part thanks to Dr. Klaus Schwanbeck, former track-and-field coach for Germany's national team, who is largely responsible for introducing the activity to Canada.
Nordic Pole Walking is a full brain exercise as well an exercise that uses over 90% of our body’s muscles. When we learn new techniques and combine them with ready learnt experiences, we activate both the conscious and subconscious areas of the brain. Both the left and right sides of the brain are stimulated when we use our arms and legs alternately. This activity opens new neural pathways and reinforces others. Nordic Pole Walking is known to slow down the advances of dementia and improve the memory. The fact that you do it in the fresh air, in natural daylight and with others is very beneficial for those suffering from mid-winter blues or seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
The logic of Nordic Pole Walking Nova Scotia is simple. Normal walking utilizes muscles in the lower half of the body while pole walking is a whole-body activity that uses muscles in the back, arms, shoulders and neck. The more muscles you work out, the more calories you burn; the more blood sugar you burn down; the more your metabolism is enhanced by using the poles.
Numerous clinical studies show vast benefits of pole walking. While using polls contributes to faster weight loss, increased heart and cardiovascular health, even better posture, the activity is also of benefit for people recovering from knee or hip surgery.
"Biomechanical studies show the poles take off load from your knee and hip joints," says Dr. Schwanbeck, "You have up to 30 per cent less impact on knee joints and hips when you walk with poles."
Benefits of Nordic Pole Walking
The Health Benefits of Nordic Pole Walking:
Ten Scientific & Clinical Studies
- Burns up to 46% more calories than exercise walking without poles or moderate jogging. 25-30% on average. (Cooper Institute, 2004, Dallas and others).
- Increases heart and cardiovascular training to 25% ( Foley 1994;Jordan 2001, Morss et al. 2001; Pocari et.al.1997 and others).
- Incorporates 90% of all body muscles in one exercise and increases endurance of arm muscles (Triceps) and neck- and shoulder muscles ( Latissimus) to 38% (Karawan et al. 992 and others).
- Diabetes Type 2: Improves diabetes metabolism, reduces insulin resistance and reduces medication drastically within three months. (M.Nischwitz et.al. 2006)
- High Blood Pressure: Reduces High Blood Pressure by 18mmHg within eight weeks. (Ishikawa et.al. 1999; C.Diehm, 2007)
- Eliminates back, shoulder and neck pain (Attila et al., 1999 and other).
- Less impact on hip- knee- and foot joints about 26% (Wilson et al., 2001; Hagen 2006, and others)
- Increases production of “positive” hormones. Decreases “negative” hormones (R.M. Klatz et.al., 1999; Dharma Singh Khalsa, 1997).
- Supports stress management and mental disorders (Stoughton 1992,
Mommert-Jauch, 2003). - Develops upright body posture. (Schloemmer 2005).
