During the 1930's, a group of cross country skiers in Finland, unable to train in their sport during the off-season, developed the idea of using their ski poles to enhance the benefits of fitness walking.  The simple addition of poles to their usual walking program measurably increased their cardiovascular and muscular well being and improved the effects of their training.  Not only were the positive results validated by their own observation, but by subsequent medical studies that showed a clear correlation between walking with poles and fitness levels.

It wasn't until the 1990's, however, that the sport was formally defined and described when Finnish pole walking pioneer Marko Kantaneva wrote a pole walking training program and Exel Oyj, a Finnish sports equipment manufacturer, developed the equipment.   The sport caught on quickly in Europe.  The European-based International Nordic Walking Association boasted a membership of approximately 7 million people in the spring of 2007.

Nordic Pole Walking came to the United States through the efforts of Dr. Klaus Schwanbeck - an early pioneer of the activity.  In 2005, Dr. Schwanbeck and his wife, Sabine, moved from Berlin, Germany to Naples, Florida.  Dr. Schwanbeck, who holds doctoral degrees in Sports Sciences and Sports Management from the University of Bayreuth and Berlin Technical University, was the National Coach for the German Track and Field Federation and Director of the Berlin Sports Academy from 1980 to 1990.   Retired from his professional commitments in Germany, Schwanbeck maintained his life long interest in health and fitness after he settled in Florida.  When he was approached by a steady stream of interested people every time he would Nordic Pole Walk on the beach near his home, he put retirement back on hold and became the president of Nordic Pole Walking USA, LLC.

In January of 2007 Dave and Jacqueline Lapic learned about Nordic Pole Walking through their franchise retail store and underwent training in Nordic Pole Walking techniques.  They were attracted to it for completely different reasons.  Dave always felt that, "if God intended for me to walk He wouldn't have gotten me a car."  But as a Type II diabetic and a self described "...57 year old four-eyed fat boy..." Dave needs to walk.  Nordic Pole Walking made it fun and efficient.  Jacqueline, who enjoys walking but has arthritic knees, found that Nordic Pole Walking reduced the discomfort in her knees and hips by reducing the ground force impact, allowing her to continue to enjoy fitness walking.  Both found it was something they could enjoy together as a couple to manage the stresses of everyday life.  After training around 150 people in the techniques of Nordic Pole Walking through his retail store, Dave decided to make Nordic Pole Walking his full time vocation.  He was given the opportunity to obtain advanced instructor training in Nordic Pole Walking from Dr. Schwanbeck.

Starting in March 2008, Dave also started Nordic Pole Walking at least 5,000 steps a day, for at least 6 days a week. As of early May 2008 Dave had lost 12 lbs. (224 lbs to 212 lbs), lost two inches from around his belly, and brought his fasting blood glucose level from the 220s to the 110s - enabling him to discontinue insulin injections.

The significant results realized from Nordic Pole Walking have raised the interest of fitness enthusiasts on all levels and disciplines.  For example, as compared to normal fitness walking; Nordic Pole Walking burns 46% more calories, increases cardiovascular efficiency by 22%, and incorporates more than 90% of all body muscles.  The nature of the sport reduces impact on hip and knee joints and increases upright body posture.  Stress management professionals recommend Nordic Pole Walking as a means of releasing positive hormones and to create new opportunities for social experiences.  

As for the future, many experts agree that, Nordic Pole Walking will continue to be the fastest growing recreational fitness activity both in the world and in the United States, particularly with the benefits it offers to such a wide range of people at various stages of health and fitness.  Dave and Jacqueline intend to make sure that the people of Connecticut have the opportunity to find out why for themselves.