History of Balance Walking

European Origin

Pole walking originated in Finland, where, in the early 30s cross-country skiers designed an off season sports using modified ski poles on beaches with wrist straps. The Finn athletes learned that not only did the sport simulate their sport it encouraged an upright posture and balance without placing unnecessary stress on the muscles, ligaments and tendons. Participants use their arms to push off from their poles, engaging the entire range of upper-body muscles.

The sport is defined by professionals as a total body fitness exercise with specific training equipment. It is known as Pole Walking, Ski Walking and/or Nordic Pole Walking. It was officially launched in 1997. Today over 800,000 Finnish regularly participate in this sport and the trend has since spread throughout Europe. An estimated 7.0 million people now participate in this sport regularly. However, in the United States, the sport is still relatively new.

Balance Walking History

In 2006, Ray Margiano developed the Balance Walking concept based on his own experience with Nordic Pole Walking and his desire to establish a quick healthy total body work-out that fits into today's demanding time starved pace. In about 15 minutes a day, this unique exercise routine incorporates the four components of a healthy lifestyle: aerobic training, stress relief, strength/muscle mass training and nutrition. Ray launched his own pole walking exercise routine and then began to test the Balance Walking concept with several international elite long distance runners as a recovery exercise. The elite athletes soon discovered that the pole walking activity provided a low impact mild exercise program that helped the body remove excess waste products while rebuilding muscle tissue after running a marathon.

In 2007, Ray introduced Balance Walking Program to a number of coaches and individuals through numerous speaking engagements and demonstrations. Ray has also written two books on Balance Walking. Both Balance Walking - Turn Back the Clock and Pink Pole Balance Walking benefitting the Susan G. Koman Association are available for purchase. Click Here.