Nordic Blading

Nordic blading resembles the motion of cross-country skiing; here inline skates are used with Nordic skating poles. Relatively high speed can be reached compared with skating with roller skis or Nordic cross skates, which is unsuitable for training in proper technique. Accordingly roller skis, equipped with soft rubber wheels, are often preferred. Either of these provide ideal whole body training, developing endurance, and are very gentle on the joints compared with sports such as running.

Nordic blading differs from skating with cross-country skiing in that the heel is fixed onto the skate’s frame. Nordic cross skates also have the fixed heel, but they have a longer frame than inline skates, and they have pneumatic tyres mounted at the front and rear. These have a high tolerance for rough ground, running easily over small stones and sticks, and they make light of firm field paths or fine gravelled roads. Also Nordic cross skates have the advantage of really effective calf brakes.

Nevertheless, Nordic Inline Blading, just like Nordic Cross Skating with Cross skates or roller skis is an ideal training for the whole body. It’s very gentle on the joints, too, compared to other sports, such as running. A very positive development of endurance is another benefit of Nordic blading.

Nordic skating/blading poles are very similar to those for cross-country skiing. They are usually built with aluminum or carbon composites. The most important thing is a hardened, sharp metal tip, which provides a good grip on asphalt. The winter snow plate is not necessary and often disturbing. The materials mainly used in the poles are aluminum and carbon composites. Carbon is very light, and flexible but rigid, while aluminum is somewhat heavier, but not as sensitive and less fragile than carbon. When calculating pole length take into account the different heights of various models of skates or rollerskis; somewhat longer poles are needed than for cross-country skiing.