That's exactly what they are doing - what the Scandinavian cross-country skiers have been doing since the 1930s to keep fit in the summer season - Nordic Walking.

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Research from Europe and the USA has proven that the health benefits of Nordic Walking are significantly greater than regular walking, jogging, swimming and cycling. Public Health England now recommend Nordic Walking as one of the most effective forms of exercise.

Kristen Pratt of Capital Nordic Walking first discovered Nordic Walking when she was working on disability and rehabilitation for the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland and saw people cross-country skiing on dry land.

As an occupational therapist with a career in health, fitness and rehabilitation, Kristen could immediately see the massive benefits to be gained by Nordic Walking.

Kristen was impressed that she could achieve heart rate levels whilst Nordic Walking that were similar to when running - around 150 beats per minute on flat ground.

She was previously a competitive runner but found Nordic Walking to be a much more effective activity with significantly less wear and tear on joints.

The increased shoulder swing also assisted her recovery from a frozen shoulder and greatly reduced the pain from a lumbar and neck injury.

Kristen sees the life-changing impact of Nordic Walking every day with those she teaches - now over 1000 people in Canberra - many of whom have significant health and mobility challenges such as MS, Parkinson's and joint pain.

Nordic Walking has many benefits over a single walking stick or wheeled walkers. It harnesses the power of upper body muscles to propel us along, strengthening the core, back, arms and shoulders and mobilising all of those joints.

The Nordic Walking poles provide stability for walkers who have balance or leg problems.

Proper use of the poles encourages upright posture and reduces strain on legs and lower back. It's a low-impact, total-body workout.

People who had given up walking find that they can walk faster, further and more comfortably and improve their fitness when using Nordic Walking poles.

Nordic Walking is a specific fitness technique and not simply walking with poles like trekking or hiking. Like golf or tennis, it's important to use the right equipment and learn how to do it correctly so as to get the maximum benefits and avoid injuries.

So, if you are ready to get moving, if you are not so keen on gyms, love being outside, enjoy exercising with others, if you are time poor and need something that you can do anywhere, anytime then why not join those thousand or so "smart early adopters".

They have the courage to try out Nordic Walking, changing their lives in so many ways for the better.

See capitalnordicwalking.com.au for details.