EVOLUTION OF NORDIC WALKING
The use of the walking poles is as old as Methuselah. Why people started to use them is unknown. Was it because as human beings aged they developed rounded shoulders and sunken chest and became afraid of falling over, so needed an extra support when walking?
Fact is, that in prehistoric times, sheppards and pilgrims used one or two sticks to make it easier to walk on uneven surfaces. Unloading the joints and extra stability were some of the early benefits of walking with sticks. On long treks, walks in the mountains or hills, the walking pole found its rightful place in walking.
Another forerunner of Nordic Walking was the use of the poles in the training methods of the cross country skiers in summer time. This application of training is written in literature as 'pole training' and has been used since the beginning of the 20th century. After the fall of the iron curtain in Germany, trainers from the west compared their training methods to those of the Eastern bloc and it revealed that the Eastern bloc trainers had also been using this training method for several years. Their training with poles in summer was important in order not to lose coordination and muscle power of the arms and trunk over the summer.
1980´s
First public trials of walking with ski poles take place in Finland. Sport colleges offer walking with poles as an new form of exercising. Development of walking with poles (later known as Nordic Walking) starts as a fitness sport suitable for all.
1990’s
Scientific research of Power Walking and Exerstriding in the USA is published. First scientific tests about the health benefits of Nordic Walking are carried out in Finland.
1996
Nordic Walking, in its present form, was established when Suomen Latu (The Central Association for Recreational Sports and Outdoor Activities), Vierumäki the Finnish Sports Institute and a Finnish composite sporting goods manufacturer Exel joined together to develop walking with poles.
In Finnish language the sport was called “sauvakävely”, pole walking.
First articles and brochures about Nordic Walking were produced. Test and studies about Nordic Walking and development of a concept started.
1997
Exel invents the name “Nordic Walking” for international use and introduces the first composite Nordic Walker® pole in Finland as a result of co-operation with Suomen Latu and the Finnish Sports Institute and starts developing the marketing concept for the sport.
First instructional materials for Nordic Walking and first Nordic Walking Instructor courses by Suomen Latu
International launch and boom of Nordic Walking begins
1998
Suomen Latu gets the main prize “The health act of the year” for their work on Nordic Walking in Finland. Introduction of Nordic Walking to the president of Finland
Nordic Walking launched by Exel and Suomen Latu to Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
First Nordic Walking video in Finnish
Pope “Nordic Walks” in a photo in Sunday Times
1999
Nordic Walking is introduced first in Switzerland, then in Germany and Austria.
2000
International Nordic Walking Association is established in Finland to promote and teach Nordic Walking worldwide.
First draft of International education system and materials is developed
Exel gets Innovation Finland 2000 main prize for the development of Nordic Walking internationally
Research project with Cooper Institute starts
2001
Exel is the finalist of Brand New Brand competition with Nordic Walking concept, ISPO Winter 2001
First official INWA-member countries are Germany and Austria
First international Nordic Walking video is produced in co-operation between INWA and Exel
2002
The "Nordic Fitness Sports" concept is introduced and the first basics of the "Nordic Fitness Sports Park" concept is developed.
First INWA Convention was held in Vierumäki Sports Institute in Finland
2003
The number of the participants Nordic Walking worldwide doubled from one to over two million
2004
Nordic Walking and Nordic Fitness Sports is the main theme in the International Sporting Goods Exhibition ISPO.
Shoe and clothing brands like Adidas, Meindl, Odlo etc. start selling shoes and clothing specially designed for Nordic Walking.
The "Nordic Fitness Sports Park" concept goes public.
Nordic Walking starts spreading outside of Europe
INWA has 13 member organizations
2005
German Fit for Fun Magazine named Nordic Fitness Sports as the megatrend of Europe.
2006
Ongoing worldwide development of Nordic Walking. Number of INWA member associations increased to 18.
2007
INWA is approved on the 30th of September in Buenos Aires as a member of TAFISA, the worldwide Sport for All organization
2009
Approximately 8 - 10 Million people do Nordic Walking on a weekly basis.