[Harumanbo Harucheonja] "Pole-reliant Nordic Walking... Effects Beyond Just Walking"

Sangshin Park, President of the Nordic Association, "Introduced in Korea for 17 Years... Walk Every Morning"
Derived from Nordic Skiing in Northern Europe... Impressive Image of Walking with Two Poles
"Less Strain on the Body and Longer Walking Benefits"

[Asia Economy Reporter Byun Seon-jin] There is a missionary who has been promoting 'Nordic Walking,' a walking exercise using two ski-pole-like walking poles (sticks), in Korea for 17 years. Park Sang-shin, president of the Korea Nordic Walking Association (54), starts his day by brushing his teeth and heading out for Nordic Walking. He does it 5 to 6 times a week. Depending on his condition, he chooses whether to walk on flat ground or mountainous terrain. The distance is about 8 to 10 km round trip. "Nordic Walking generates tremendous propulsion because you plant the poles behind your body and push forward. You walk comfortably with rhythm, doubling your exercise volume."

Nordic Walking originated from Nordic skiing, a mode of transportation developed in snowy Northern European Scandinavian countries like Finland. Cross-country skiers popularized it by doing Nordic Walking in summer to maintain their fitness. It involves holding two poles and walking so that the left arm and right leg, and right arm and left leg move in pairs. Although still unfamiliar in Korea, it is relatively well-known in Northern and Western Europe and the United States.

Chairman Park Sang-shin is demonstrating Nordic walking.

Nordic Walking Enjoyable for Everyone

Nordic Walking is gaining attention as an exercise for all ages and genders. Because it uses upper and lower body muscles through the poles, it serves as a diet exercise for younger generations. It burns 18 to 67% more calories compared to regular walking. The poles help distribute body weight, significantly reducing the burden on the waist, knees, and ankles, making it ideal for the elderly who need to restore weakened muscles and improve blood circulation. Nordic Walking is also used for rehabilitation from conditions like herniated discs and fractures because it engages the whole body's muscles while maintaining proper posture during walking.

Kim Se-jung, secretary-general of the Nordic Walking Association (55), is one such case. She successfully rehabilitated from pain caused by spinal stenosis due to a herniated disc through Nordic Walking. Afterwards, she became the first Korean woman to obtain an internationally certified qualification in Germany and currently works as a Nordic Walking coach. Jo Yeon-mi (55), head of the Chungnam branch of the association, experienced aftereffects from a traffic accident and happened to see a Nordic Walking class held at a beach. She was strongly impressed, thinking, 'This could save my body,' and after overcoming her condition through Nordic Walking rehabilitation, she became a 'Nordic Walking missionary' in the Seosan area of Chungnam.

[Photo by Korea Nordic Walking Association]

Can Walk Longer Than Just Walking

President Park said, "Nordic Walking puts less strain on the body and allows you to walk longer than just walking." The poles support part of the body weight, reducing the load on the waist and knees. This means less fatigue. Park added, "Once you master the basic movements of Nordic Walking, the poles feel like a part of your body, and you don't even realize you're using them," explaining, "That's how comfortable it feels."

Nordic Walking is the naturalness of four limbs. Your gaze naturally holds the poles with both hands, and when the pole tips touch the ground, the angle between the pole and the surface should be 55 to 60 degrees. Beginners often walk with the poles at a 90-degree angle like using a cane, but this can lead to injuries in the wrists and ankles.

Maintaining proper posture is important in Nordic Walking, so it is best to start with an expert. "At first, your posture might not be right. It looks very easy at a glance, but once you start, you realize all your assumptions were wrong. If your posture doesn't come out well, you have no choice but to practice repeatedly with humility. Even if you have excellent motor skills, learning something new requires taking a step forward and accepting the process."

Park said, "Nordic Walking is an exercise you can do anytime, anywhere?on tracks, parks, apartment complexes, forest trails, and walking paths." He recommends starting with a one-hour round trip every other day, and as your stamina and technique improve, gradually increasing the time up to a three-hour round trip. He also noted, "It takes 48 hours for the body to remember the movements," so "it's good to do it about three times a week without fail."

Nordic Walking Was Unknown in Korea 17 Years Ago... "Encouraging That It Is Gradually Becoming Known"

President Park first encountered Nordic Walking during a business trip to Germany in 2006. He was amazed to see the seemingly reserved Germans casually walking the streets with walking poles in both hands. At that time, there was no place to learn Nordic Walking in Korea, so he self-studied with books and videos but soon hit a limit. "Since Nordic Walking is exercise, theory alone was not enough. I decided to go back to Germany to learn it in person and eventually obtained an internationally certified instructor license. Thanks to that, my challenging lifelong journey began," he said.

Seventeen years later, the emergence of local government Nordic Walking programs, experience sessions, and clubs is encouraging for President Park. Although it will take more time for Nordic Walking to become a part of everyday sports, more people are becoming aware of it. Park said, "I will continue to promote Nordic Walking until the whole nation cannot live without walking poles in their hands."