Compared to regular walking, Nordic Walking involves applying force to the poles with each stride. Nordic walkers can use more of their body (with greater intensity) and receive stimulation not as present in normal walking for the chest, lats, triceps, biceps, shoulders, abdominals and other core muscles. This extra muscle involvement leads to significant enhancements over ordinary walking or jogging at equal paces, such as:

Increased overall strength & endurance in the arms, Greater ease in climbing hills, Burning more Calories than in plain walking or running, Improved balance and stability when using poles, Less stress on the shins, knees, hips and back which can be beneficial for those with injuries or muscles not strong enough to bear the person's (modified or unmodified) weight in normal walking for desired speeds, periods and terrains.