A recent study found people with coronary artery disease get word improved wellness outcomes after pull to the workout for 12 weeks .

It’s widely known that walking is great for you. Research showsthat walkingcan cut your risk of heart disease,reduce joint painand naturallyrelieve stress.

Nordic walking involves using poles similar to ski poles as you move. Unlike a regular walk, this kind of walkingincorporates your upper body musclesin addition to your lower body muscles. According to theInternational Nordic Walking Federation, Nordic walking began as an off-season workout for skiers and has been around since the mid-1900s.

After the workout program, participants were observed for 14 weeks, and their functional capacity ― or their ability to exercise or perform daily activities that require physical effort ― was tested by measuring how far they walked in six minutes.

Nordic walking yielded the best results.

In other words, those who committed to the 12-week Nordic walking program were most able to show increased exercise capacity during the six-minute walk test. And one’s functional capacity is “an important predictor of future cardiovascular events in patients with [coronary artery disease],” the study stated.

This is important for everyone, but especially for those with coronary artery disease.

Here’s how to reap the benefits yourself.

To get started with Nordic walking, you’ll need a set of trekking poles and a good walking route. Nordic walking can be done in quiet, paved neighborhoods or on rocky, hilly terrain ― it’s not just for hikers on trails.

When walking, maintainproper postureby pushing your shoulders back, and keep your head straight so your ribcage stays upright and open. Use the poles to strike the ground on either side of your feet as you walk, ensuring that they hit in the middle of your stride. The poles should be kept at an angle and you should grip the pole as it hits the ground so you have better leverage to push off. This will help you to engage your upper body. Repeat as you walk.

This article to begin with appeared onHuffPost .

A person in athletic attire is walking with hiking poles in an outdoor setting with trees and a cloudy sky in the background

A close-up of a person's legs and feet walking outdoors on a rocky path, using hiking poles for support. The person wears athletic shoes

A person with hiking gear walks along a dirt path in a mountainous countryside with green fields and a few scattered buildings in the background

A person walking on a paved path in an outdoor setting, wearing athletic shoes and leggings. The path is surrounded by trees and greenery

A man walks briskly in a park using walking poles, enjoying a sunny day outdoors for fitness

Person hiking with poles on a grassy hill in front of mountain landscape on a bright day

A group of hikers, including an unidentified woman in a jacket leading, walk with hiking poles through a grassy field at sunset, followed by a dog

A woman wearing an athletic outfit holds trekking poles while smiling and posing outdoors against a clear sky

A woman wearing sunglasses, a padded vest, and athletic shoes walks briskly with trekking poles on a sunny path in a park