Fit: Sticking Around

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FINNISH FADS have a tough time of it in America. Dining on reindeer, for instance, doesn't seem like it'll ever catch on stateside. But there's one invention from the northern nation that's on the move — literally — around the globe, even here in D.C.: Nordic walking.

As students from the Bethesda-Chevy Chase YMCA set off for a walk, they look a bit like a crew of skiers who somehow misplaced their snow, skis and parkas. And that's basically what it is — Finns looking to stay in shape off-season invented the sport to keep fit for the white stuff. By incorporating poles into a hike, they found they could strengthen their upper bodies, boost the cardiovascular benefits of a trek and reduce the impact on their joints.

For dedicated walkers like 36-year-old Laura Gomez, one in the Bethesda crew, the poles allow her to take her strolls to the next level without aggravating an old knee injury. "It's the best way to make up for not running," she says. Her classmate Heide Blaker, 63, first learned two months ago, and now spends at least an hour a day walking with her poles because of the wonders it's done for her posture. "You're keeping your body upright, and it opens your chest," she says. "From the first day, I was hooked."

Bernd Zimmermann, president and founder of the American Nordic Walking Association, isn't surprised by their passion. He estimates the number of U.S. Nordic walkers in the hundreds of thousands (mostly in California and Florida). That's remarkable, considering the sport didn't take off in Finland until the late 1990s, and he started his organization in 2004.

Zimmermann's expecting baby boomers to discover the joys en masse any minute now. He's concerned, however, that enough instruction isn't yet available, so people mistakenly think they can pick up the technique on their own. "People just buy the poles and walk around with sticks in their hands, but it's not Nordic walking," he complains. His group sells a how-to DVD, and it'll be hosting an instructor training session and introductory classes in the sport in D.C. the last weekend in July (look for more details at anwa.us).

Or, sign up at the B-CCY (9401 Old Georgetown Rd.; 301-530-3725), which offers several classes per week. The next session starts June 23, and it costs $60 for members and $105 for non-members.

Correct form looks simpler than it is, explains B-CCY instructor Mia Eriksson-Knightly (who's Swedish, so she looks very authentic). Instead of the short arm-pumping motion people often develop with their strides, the focus is on long, extended limbs that get the shoulders working more than the elbows.

The idea is to stand tall, with one's core muscles actively engaged, and then push off with alternating arms. The back tip of the forward pole should be aligned with the back of the forward heel, and the palms' grip should be firm but light. "Working the upper body might not come immediately," says Eriksson-Knightly. Students start by letting the poles drag behind them to get accustomed to the sensation.

It may take a few lessons to feel entirely comfortable, but by the end of just one class, students get enough of a hang of it to head off the track and into neighborhoods. Eriksson-Knightly marches her herd onto trails and into Rock Creek Park, encouraging hill work and pushing them to increase their speed. "You feel like you're flying forward," she says. And like up on your Finnish culture, too.

SHOPPING FOR WALKING:
» Any sneaker will probably do, but to optimize your amble, score SpringBoost's B-Walk Nordic ($175, thetannery.com), at left. The Swiss company designed the shoes with a tilted insole that puts your heel slightly below your toes, which forces legs to work harder.

» Poles are ideally about 70 percent of your height — the user's elbow should be at a 90 degree angle when the tip hits the ground (or you could be inviting back problems). Many are adjustable, but those are heavier. Lighter carbon poles are preferable to aluminum. Brands to look for include LEKI (that's the $150 Instructor, right), Exel and Swix.

Photos by Marge Ely for Express, courtesy SpringBoost and courtesy LEKI