»
Home
Videos
Webcams
Weather Forecast
Events
Newsletter
Hotel Quotations

Nordic Walking in Riccione

 »
Weather Forecast Riccione
Servizio meteo offerto da TITANKA! Spa in collaborazione con Meteowebcam. Per visualizzare il meteo č necessario il plugin di flash player
« Display detailed weather forecast
We interviewed Ezio Bianchi, the first ANWI certificated Nordic Walking trainer in the province of Rimini, in order to understand proper techniques and discover local sports institutions.

Q: Ezio, what is Nordic Walking?
Answer: Designed in Finland as a summer training for cross-country skiers, Nordic Walking is a natural, healthy, efficient and complete physical activity.
It is a scientifically tested activity which combines simplicity and accessibility of walking through the use of specially designed poles with simultaneous core and upper body conditioning similar to cross-country skiing.
The result is a full-body walking workout that can burn more calories due to the incorporation of many large core and other upper-body muscles.
It evolved from an off-season ski-training activity to become a way of exercising year-round.
It can be done in any climate and anywhere a person of any age or ability might otherwise walk without poles according to three different levels: wellbeing, fitness and sport. Compared to regular walking, Nordic Walking involves applying force to the poles with each stride. Nordic Walkers use more of their entire body and receive fitness building stimulation not as present in normal walking for the chest, lats, triceps, biceps, shoulders, abdominals, spinal and other core muscles. This extra muscle involvement leads to enhancements over ordinary walking at equal paces.

Q: What are the main benefits of doing regular Nordic Walking exercise?
A: Among the recognized benefits of doing regular Nordic Walking exercise are:
  • improving normal walking
  • incorporating of many large core and other upper-body muscles which comprise more than 90% of the body's total muscle mass
  • a full-body walking workout
  • effective aerobic exercise which contributes to improving the ability of muscles to use fats during exercise
  • improving circulation efficiency and increasing speed at which aerobic metabolism is activated
  • enhancing the speed at which muscles recover from high intensity exercise
  • improving balance and stability
  • effective weight bearing exercise 
  • a way of exercising year-round
  • a regular form of exercise which can be done anywhere a pseron of any age or ability might otherwide walk without poles
  • a non-competitive sport
Q: What about health's benefits?
A: Nordic Walking is a natural, healthy and effective way to strengthen and enlarge the heart muscle, to improve its pumping efficiency  and reduce the resting heart rate.
It tones muscles throughout the body, due to the incorporation of many large core and other upper-body muscles which comprise more than 90% of the body's total muscle mass.
It improves the ability of muscles to use fats during exercise, thus helping people losing weight (I personally lost 13 kilos after four months of regular exercise) and reducing cholesterol, glycemia, triglyceride and transaminase.
The extra muscle involvement leads to enhancements over ordinary walking, such as increased overall strength and endurance in the core muscles and the entire upper body, improved balance and stability, significant un-weighting of hip, knee and ankle joints and effective weight bearing exercise.

Q: Where is it possible to practice it?
A: Anywhere: on the road, along mountain paths, on the beach and in the water

Q: Even in the water?
A: Together with my trainers Tiina Arrankoski and Tuomo Kettunen (the only two coach instructors in Italy who are authorised to teach NW), I have recently experienced Nordic Walking in both low (5/10 cm) and medium-low (20/40 cm) water.
We added NW a new branch and are ready to launch it in collaboration with Riccione's Tourist Office (headed by Paola Pierrelli), the Hotel-keeper Association (coordinated by Luca Cevoli) and Fausto Ravaglia (the owner of bathing establishment no. 135) who is ready to welcome both nordic walkers and beach walkers.
ARKEION, the non-profit association I personally founded, is always available to give guests information and suggestions: Riccione, Fiorina Hotel, v.le Monti, 57 - tel. 0541.646392

Q: ARKEION?
A: It is the Greek name of a plant which grows amidst the sandy dunes which flank the sea, its common name being Leppa.
Some historians think Riccione's origins are linked to this plant, and not to the Roman name "Arcione".
I like it since it is as ancient as walking is and as current as Nordic Walking and its benefits are.

Q: What benefits, for whom?
A: According to numerous scientific research, Nordic Walking improves general healt conditions and wellbeing.

Q: Why should people rely on ANWI instructors?
A: Although it is commonly known as "walking with sticks", Nordic Walking's technique is much more complicated and needs to be performed properly in order to improve general health conditions. It is very important that both principles and techniques are described in a detailed way and spread all over the world.
INWA (International Nordic Walking Association) believes this message plays a fundamental role, since other organizations have recently introduced their own "techniques" which do not comply with the original criteria of Nordic Walking and should not be promoted and spread under this denomination.
Both local and governamental authorities in many countries strive to promote the development of Nordic Walking.
This is the main reason why Nordic Walking should be promoted and taught by licensed associations, professionals and trainers only, that underwent proper training on the right Nordic Walking's technique

Q: Don't you feel a bit "fanatic"?
A: Not at all! We are very open-minded instead. We willingly welcome new developments, as exemplified by our current research concerning Nordic Walking "on the beach".

Q: Doesn't the term "discipline" sound a bit Tibetan?
A: Some principles of Nordic Walking are definitely "sacred", since they are closely related to the natural and healthy activities we perform every day.
Our trainers help people move better and become aware of the importance of their body. In the meantime, they teach them an excellent method to improve their physical condition. Nordic Walking has recently stood out as a valid method to improve public health!

Q: What do you expect from this interview?
A: I aim at promoting the principles and characteristics of Nordic Walking in the best possible way, and at explaining both single individuals and governamental authorities the importance of following the right Nordic Walking's technique.
Many features can undergo slight changes, such as the length of the poles, which must suit different individual's requirements, movements and personal style.

Q: How can people properly learn Nordic Walking?
A: Through proper an hour and a half-long courses held by licensed instructors.
The basic course is aimed at teaching the right technique, while technique 1 and technique 2 offer participants deep insights into Nordic Walking.

Q: How can those interested contact you?
A: ARKEION Association, Fiorina Hotel, viale Monti, 57
tel. 0541.646392 www.hotelfiorina.it/nordicwalking.htm e-mail info@hotelfiorina.it
Ezio Bianchi 3389484017
Fausto Ravaglia - Bathing Establishment no. 135 Riccione tel. 0541.643946 e-mail fravaglia@hi-net.it
ANWI www.anwi.it anwi@anwi.it

Q: Thank you and see you on the beach!
A: Looking forward to meet you there!
« Back
 »
Hotels
 »
Advanced hotel search
 »
Vacation Homes
 »
Residences
 »
Restaurants
 »
Campsites
 »
Clubs
 »
Theme Parks
 »
Beaches
 »
Sport
 »
Spas
 »
Congresses
 »
Itineraries
 »
Shopping
 »
Last Minute Offers Riccione
« Display all
 »
Suggested Hotels in Riccione