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Get fit for cross country ski-ing with nordic walking
If you want to make the most of your nordic ski holiday and minimise aching muscles, spending time building your fitness and stamina will pay dividends. Nordic walking originated as a summer training method for cross country skiers in Finland and can help you get more out of your holiday.
Nordic walking is the only exercise, apart from roller ski-ing, that works on:
- toning your arms and shoulder muscles [this is really important for women who tend to be weaker in this area than men]
- co-ordinating your arms and legs
- using poles to propel you forwards efficiently
Working on these three key elements will make a difference to your cross country ski-ing and you'll progress more easily when you get on snow.
Try one of our introductory workshops and then join a regular class – you'll get tips and information about cross country ski-ing from Mary Wray, is both an INWA nordic walking teacher and a Snowsport England qualified nordic ski and roller ski instructor. Find out more and read our article on the choice between nordic walking and roller ski-ing.
We also have a rather useful book available, Stride and Glide, written by two experts from the nordic sports world which is full of helpful information about the two sports.