Nordic walking/ Urban poling is one of the fastest growing recreational fitness activities in the world. The estimated population of nordic walkers at the end of the year 2007 was over 7 million.

The origin of nordic walking in north america dates back to 1985 when an american by the name of Tom Rutlin, a cross-country skier and certified ski coach, experimented by adding rubber tips to the end of  his ski poles. He was trying to find ways of improving the fitness levels of his athletes in their 'off season'. The idea was to use a cross-country ski polling action to engage the muscles of their upper body, while fitness walking or running on asphalt.

Today the concept of fitness walking with specially designed poles is developing and growing into a popular sport. Some marathons across the US and Canada have specific divisions just for nordic walkers.

Nordic walking is very popular in most parts of Europe ie Germany, France, Sweden, Finland etc.