Nordic Walking is one of the fastest growing recreational fitness sports in the world and has its roots already in the early 1930 in Finland as an off season training method of the competitive crosscountry skiers. Development of Nordic Walking to its present form as a recreational physical activity for all started in early 1980 in Finland and in 1997 the first official Nordic Walker poles were introduced to the public by one of the world's largest pole manufacturer, Exel plc. Estimated population of Nordic Walkers at the end of the year 2007 was over 7 million.

Nordic Walking is fitness walking with specially designed Nordic Walker poles to engage also the upper body during walking. It offers a very efficient, aerobic and easy way to improve your physical condition irrespective of age, sex or physical condition. Nordic Walking can be up to 46% more efficient than regular walking (Cooper Institute Research 2000) depending on the intensity of the exercise.