Nordic walking offers numerous benefits for both body and mind. While this outdoor activity is accessible to all, it is important to be well informed — including about the downsides — before you start. This will help you take up the activity with greater confidence. Here is what you need to know about the drawbacks of Nordic walking.
Key takeaways:
- Coordination of movements is essential to practise Nordic walking without getting injured.
- This activity may be contraindicated for people suffering from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or lower back pain.
- People with balance disorders should avoid Nordic walking due to the risk of falls.
- Nordic walking equipment and lessons can be costly, but are necessary to get started with the activity.
Walking technique
Before taking up this discipline, it is essential to fully understand what Nordic walking is. After that, you may legitimately ask yourself: is Nordic walking difficult? The answer actually depends on your initial fitness level and your ability to learn the walking technique.
To practise Nordic walking, you need to coordinate your movements. It's not simply a matter of walking while planting your poles. If you are a Nordic walking beginner, you may for example forget to lean your torso slightly forward, or bend your elbows too much when pushing with the poles. Poor posture can then increase tension on the joints and cause pain.
To improve your walking technique, the best approach is to start by taking lessons with a qualified instructor. By practising regularly, you should be able to master the correct movements, the right posture, and find a comfortable rhythm.
Health issues
The health benefits of Nordic walking are numerous. While the activity is, for example, beneficial for the heart, it does also have drawbacks. There is a contraindication to Nordic walking for people suffering from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Gripping the walking poles and practising the activity can in particular cause pain and inflammation.
Is Nordic walking good for your back? The answer is yes. Practising this activity can help prevent back pain and tone the postural chain. It can therefore help maintain better posture and a healthy back. However, if you suffer from a condition such as lower back pain, this sport may not be recommended for you. In any case, we recommend consulting a doctor and doing a trial run before taking up this activity.
The risk of falls
Another drawback of Nordic walking is the risk of falls. People with a significant balance disorder should not practise this activity, in order to avoid falls and related injuries. This is also the case for pregnant women, whose centre of gravity shifts and can affect balance during pregnancy.
To avoid falls, it is therefore important to maintain a degree of stability and work on your walking technique. Remember not to focus solely on your poles, but also on finding safe footing for your feet.
The cost of Nordic walking
As a genuinely outdoor activity, Nordic walking aims to be accessible to as many people as possible. However, it does come at a cost — particularly for those who wish to take lessons with a qualified instructor. Club membership fees are relatively affordable, though, and provide access to plenty of useful advice.
The same applies to equipment. In addition to quality footwear and Nordic walking clothing, walking poles can be quite costly. They must be chosen carefully to avoid injury. Carbon poles are recommended — they will be more expensive than aluminium ones, but have the advantage of absorbing vibrations better. That said, it is always possible to find more affordable, good-quality equipment when starting out.
The constraints of walking poles
Walking poles can be a drawback of Nordic walking. While they are essential for the activity, they must be attached to the hands with a strap.
This constraint prevents you from multitasking — walking your dog, taking photos of the scenery, or sending a message. On the other hand, it forces you to focus on the present moment and enjoy the peace of nature.
Solitude in the great outdoors
Nordic walking is an individual sport practised in the great outdoors. The likelihood of finding yourself alone while doing it is therefore high. Depending on the person, the solitude that comes with the activity can be seen as either an advantage or a drawback.
If you feel lonely and feel the need for company, we recommend joining a group. It will help you feel more at ease, build new connections, and make the time fly.
Environment-related drawbacks
Finally, Nordic walking is subject to environmental constraints. Like all outdoor activities, you may face unfavourable weather — wind, rain, or freezing temperatures. For those living in cities, practising this sport is also made more difficult by the lack of green spaces and urban hustle.
To counter these drawbacks, we recommend first investing in equipment suitable for all seasons. You can also look for natural routes close to home that may even be accessible by public transport.
Nordic walking does have a few drawbacks, though they are outweighed by its many benefits. There are no real contraindications to the activity, but rather adaptations for beginners. They need to learn the right techniques, kit themselves out properly, and build a good support network to thrive in this sport.
