In recent years, Scandinavian style has dominated the US market. The worlds of fashion and interior design frequently feature its core tenets: soothing neutrals, sleek silhouettes, and understated ensembles that still feel chic. While it may seem as though loose trousers, cable-knit sweaters, and long wool coats are now decidedly American wardrobe staples, each of these fashion trends have roots in Nordic countries. Now, it appears that Scandinavian fitness may be poised to have a similar influence.
This October, Nrthrn Strong, a Danish fitness brand, opened its first permanent US location in New York City. The workout class draws on the movements of cross-country skiing, a sport the region is well-known for. However, that’s not the only way Americans are embracing Scandinavian fitness culture. Beyond the doors of this new studio, more people are turning to other key Scandinavian wellness principles, including Nordic walking, visiting modern bathhouses, and running in the cold.
In a way, the shift makes perfect sense given the region’s reputation for being home to some of the world’s healthiest—and happiest—countries. “I would say that some of the best athletes in the world are Nordic skiers,” Alyssa Amos Clark, CPT, a certified personal trainer, coach, and professional athlete, tells SELF. “They have to be strong in the upper body. They have to be strong in the legs, the core, and then they have to cardiovascularly be able to push and climb and descend.” Clark adds that cross-country skiing provides the ideal balance of strength and endurance training, making it an increasingly popular choice for American fitness enthusiasts.
But it’s not the only Nordic sport currently trending in the US. Open up TikTok or Instagram, and you may notice people taking an unexpected accessory with them on their daily hot girl walks: poles. While this concept may feel relatively new stateside, the practice of Nordic walking, which involves trekking while tightly gripping ski-like poles, is a well-known activity in Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden. “It’s really great because it engages your core and your arms,” Karolina Rhenman, CPT, a Swedish certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor who’s currently based in New York City, tells SELF. While she notes that Nordic walking is often more popular among older generations due to its status as a low-impact exercise, she’s recently noticed the practice picking up speed among New Yorkers out and about in Central Park. Another underrated benefit of the exercise? It forces you to take a break from texting or emailing for the duration of the workout. Because, well, when you’re wielding two poles, it’s incredibly challenging to hold your phone, let alone send a message.
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Beyond these sports, simply being active in your everyday routine is a key component of Scandinavian culture, Rhenman says. Whether that’s riding your bike to work, going on a walk with friends, or stepping out in nature, basic movement is a way of life in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo. Karin Lundström, CPT, a Stockholm-based certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and creative director at Bond Health Group, a wellness company, echoes this idea. “Growing up in [Scandinavia], you get a lot of holistic health, and I think that’s something that comes really naturally for us,” she tells SELF. Heading to the lake to do a cold plunge followed by a sauna session is one of the most popular ways to spend time outdoors. “Doing sauna is really part of our culture,” Lundström adds. She says that a number of Scandinavian fitness trends are rooted in the region’s public health and societal norms. In 2001, Sweden went so far as to implement a program that enables primary care physicians to prescribe movement to their patients, called Physical Activity on Prescription.
This cultural commitment to fitness and wellness effectively forces every gym and studio to be of the highest quality, Lundström says. Beyond the programming and instruction, she notes that the aesthetics of these spaces are sophisticated and minimalistic, reflecting quintessential Scandinavian design. For many avid fitness enthusiasts, myself included, this standard is a welcome change from the bright overhead lights, neon signs, and dated equipment many American gyms are known for. Instead of wanting to exit the studio immediately after your workout, a Nordic-inspired design makes you want to linger a bit longer, evoking a calming—rather than an overstimulating—feeling. Nrthrn Strong’s dark classroom features soft lighting and sleek machines. Othership, a modern bathhouse with locations in Toronto and New York, has ambient light and wood panel seating.
Yet while many of these studios seek to bring such activities inside, Scandinavians embrace of the outdoors extends well into the colder months—even as the weather becomes more hostile. “In Sweden, even if it’s winter, even if it’s snowing, people are still out in the park running,” Rhenman says. She adds that as running continues to grow in the US, she has noticed more people embracing a similar mindset. In Sweden, she says they have a term for how to approach workouts in less-than-ideal conditions: Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder, which translates to “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”
It’s a sentiment I’ve come to embrace in my own life. Just a few days ago, after a lazy morning spent working from the couch, I glanced down at my step count and was horrified to see a three-digit number staring back at me. Looking out my window, the weather conditions seemed less than ideal; people passed by my New York City apartment wrapped in puffer jackets and scarfs. And while it would have been much easier to skip my daily walk and continue to rot away on my sofa, I took a cue from the Scandinavians and slipped on my wool coat. Yes, it was freezing. However, after just 30 minutes of wandering around my neighborhood and listening to a podcast, I felt a little bit happier and lighter. Just like fashion and design, when it comes to fitness and wellness, these Scandinavian principles may be here to stay.
Related:
- The Rise of the ‘Run-cation’
- Why Every Anxious 20-Something Is Running a Marathon Right Now
- The Norwegian 4x4 Workout Could Help Boost Your Endurance
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