Nordic walking provides a number of significant health benefits, that can help you increase your overall fitness.

Using proper technique, Nordic walking

• builds core and upper body strength by using up to 90% of the body's muscle mass, compared to approximately 70% used during brisk walking
• helps increase heart rate by 10-15%, providing cardiovascular benefit without increasing your perceived exertion
• combats obesity by burning approximately 400 calories per hour, compared to 280 calories per hour for normal walking
• reduces the load and impact on knees and other joints, and can be helpful in rehabilitation
• builds bone density through resistance 
• reduces neck and shoulder pain
• improves balance, coordination and body alignment
• promotes deeper breathing by lifting the ribcage and increasing oxygen consumption

In addition, regular aerobic exercise such as walking also helps improve mental health and regulate mood, and may be helpful in reducing chronic pain and fibromyalgia symptoms.