I’m a walker, logging an average of 9000 steps a day several times a week around my neighborhood. On recent trips to Copenhagen and Stockholm, I noticed tall, fit Scandinavians (斯堪法尼亚人) walking along on city streets with poles, as if they were cross-country skiing without any snow.
It was a surprise to learn that the addition of the poles makes it a more vigorous, full-body exercise than simply walking – and, as a 76-year-old looking to stay healthy while enjoying the outdoors, I decided to give it a try.
There’s plenty of help online for the new Nordic (北 欧的 ) walker: stand tall, swing your arms out as if to shake hands, and plant your poles with vigour. Then there’s the little matter of the strap (带子) on the pole. This allows the walker to grip the pole when thrusting forward and then relax that hand as the other hand pushes forward – a skill of coordination that builds stronger muscles.
For a warm-up, I started slow: Nordic walking down the hall that extends from my front door to the deck. Keeping balance wasn’t my only problem. The novel use of my arms and upper body was surprisingly demanding. After half an hour, my heart was pounding and I was sweating, but I still wasn’t much good.
Still, I carried on because there’s no arguing with the exercise’s benefits. Nordic walkers’ upper-body exercise increases their heart rate significantly more than walking without poles. And according to cardiologist Dr Aaron Baggish, with poles “you’re engaging 80 to 90 per cent of your muscles.” It also helps people with Parkinson’s, says Burrill. “We put poles in their hands and it’s amazing because they start walking with real rhythm.”
After a few clumsy days of being convinced I would never succeed, suddenly everything clicked. Not only was I able to coordinate the movements, I was aware that my heart, arms and core were getting a workout. Nordic walking is a form of exercise I expect to enjoy for years to come.
4. What inspired the writer to try Nordic walking?
A.Enjoying the outdoor skiing. | B.Observing Scandinavians walking. |
C.Getting tired of simple walking. | D.Fancying a healthy lifestyle. |
5. What was the main challenge for the author during the initial stages of Nordic walking?
A.Building strong muscle in the arms. |
B.Using arms and upper body harmoniously. |
C.Sweating with heart pounding. |
D.Feeling discouraged for lack of progress. |
6. What does the author want to show by mentioning people with Parkinson’s?
A.The great benefits of Nordic walking. | B.The wide practice of Nordic walking. |
C.The urgency to promote Nordic walking. | D.The promising future of Nordic walking. |
7. What is the author’s intention in writing this passage?
A.To persuade readers to try Nordic walking for fun. |
B.To share the experience of trying a new fitness activity. |
C.To emphasize the great difficulties of Nordic walking. |
D.To compare Nordic walking with simple walking. |