How It Works

Skiwalking means walking with poles. Many elements of ordinary walking become more effective with poles and the walking technique becomes more balanced. The poles make the body posture erect and forward leaning. The upper body should lean forward a little which stimulates the back muscles and increases support of the back. The poles increase the efficiency of the twisting motion of the upper body and chest around the spine. This stimulates movement in the shoulders and shoulder blades. The balancing effect of the poles often improves the posture of the hip and the extension of the hip joint during the toe push phase and intensifies the use of the pelvic area.

The poles help to make the body's center of gravity optimal for walking which may help prevent and even rehabilitate leg problems. The poles soften the way in which the heel hits the ground and makes the knees elastic. For instance, after a knee injury, Skiwalking is a smoother form of rehabilitation than ordinary walking.

The poles heighten the small turning movement in the upper body which is good for the back and induces a pumping motion to the shoulder area. As the blood circulation increases, mobility improves and causes a more relaxed feeling.

The Nordic walking exercise should be started by hanging the poles loosely down with extended arms and searching for the walking rhythm. When the rhythm is found, combine the step with pushing the pole backward with the opposite arm. Leaning on the straps of the poles, the fingers should loosen from the handles and the upper body joins the arm extension with a twist to the opposite direction. The ring is never thrown forward. While the front arm is slightly bent and the ring is at the same level as the opposite leg, the pole hits the ground diagonally at an angle of 60 degrees so that the pole is on the ground behind the heel of the front leg.

Shoulders down
Twist of the upper body and the pelvis
Feet forward
Poles near the body
The hand loosens at the end of the push
Toe push and the use of the pelvis
The pole hits the ground behind the heel of the opposite leg
The poles are directed diagonally backwards throughout the performance

Load Instructions in PDF format