History of Nordic walking: from Finnish skiers to a global phenomenon
Nordic walking is a relatively new sport whose roots lie in the Finnish forests of the mid-20th century. From cross-country skiers’ summer training to an activity enjoyed by tens of millions of people worldwide, its history is both simple and remarkable.
The origins: cross-country skiers’ training
In the 1930s and 1940s, Finnish cross-country skiers were looking for a way to maintain their fitness during the snow-free months. The idea was simple: walking with ski poles whilst mimicking the ‘gliding’ motion to maintain upper body strength and arm-leg coordination. This practice remained informal and was restricted to athletes.
Formalisation in the 1980s
In the 1980s, Finnish cross-country ski coaches began to codify this practice and study it scientifically. Field tests confirmed what athletes had felt for decades: walking with poles significantly increases energy expenditure and engages the upper body in a unique way.
1997: the official birth of ‘Nordic Walking’
The ‘Nordic Walking’ trademark was registered in 1997 by the Finnish company Exel, which marketed the first poles specifically designed for this activity. These poles differed from traditional hiking poles in their lightness, rigidity and ergonomic hand grip, which allowed the hand to open during the push phase. By the year 2000, Finland already had more Nordic walkers than joggers.
A meteoric rise across Europe
Nordic walking first spread to Germany, Austria and Switzerland before taking the rest of Europe by storm. In France, the sport grew significantly between 2005 and 2010, particularly through athletics and hiking clubs which incorporated the discipline into their range of activities. Today, the number of participants worldwide is estimated at tens of millions, mainly in Northern and Central Europe.
Continuous innovation
Since 1997, pole technology has continued to evolve. Composite materials (carbon, fibreglass), removable grip systems, interchangeable tips and, more recently, curved geometries such as those developed by MØNARC® have enhanced the sport and met the needs of increasingly demanding practitioners.
Key points: Originating from the summer training of Finnish skiers, Nordic walking was formalised and commercialised from 1997 onwards. Today, it has tens of millions of practitioners worldwide.