In research of Nordic walking, I came across a lot of different names and variations for walking with two poles. Some have a slightly different technique and teaching methodology. Depending on style the outcome is more or less effective and the technique more or less thorough.

I found:
- Ski walking
- Nordic Ski Walking
- Pole Walking
- Fitness Walking
- Keenfit walking, and
- Urban Poling

I am partial to Nordic Walking, because of its thorough technique and effectiveness. But where did it originate?

First of all, the activity is defined as fitness walking with specially designed poles. It started in Finland in the early 20th century as a summer training method for cross-country skiers. Nordic skiing athletes noticed success in their dry land skiing work out with poles. It often was referred to as ski walking and hill bounding. The real break through of Nordic Walking, as a practiced exercise, came in the late 1980’s when fitness walking pole pioneer Tom Ruthlin designed a special grip and wrist stop along with rubber tips. Exelstrider first introduced these walking sticks in the United States. The Finish ski pole manufacture Exel worked with Marko Kantaneva to create the Nordic Walker® in 1997. Their invention, improved by athletes and sports medicine experts, invented the wrist stop system that made the present Nordic Walking technique possible.

Europeans have adopted Nordic Walking as a favorite fitness activity. It is natural, inexpensive, very effective and fun for every one. After only ten to twelve years of its introduction in Europe over 10 million people around the world have taken up fitness walking with those specially designed poles, and three different Nordic Walking magazines are being published in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Now it has become the latest trend in fitness and recreation for every one in the family.