‘Nordic walking’ turns your body into a ‘calorie-burning machine’ — and can be done into your 80s By . Diana Bruk. Published June 16, 2025, 3:20 p.m. ET.

Nordic walking, originating in Finland, uses poles to enhance walking. Studies reveal it burns more calories than regular walking. Participants in a Verona University study saw BMI and waist ...

Since Nordic walking requires poles during your walk, it engages your upper body muscles, including the arms, shoulders and back, and can help reduce lower back pain.

“The basic concept is you add upper body activity in the context of using Nordic poles, or walking poles, to assist with moving forward when you’re walking,” Dr. Aaron Baggish, director of ...