Canada's expanding group of Nordic walking enthusiasts are promoting the exercise's health benefits, including at a new fundraiser in Ottawa.

The exercise, which involves walking with poles, began in Europe where it's very popular.

"There's a lot of clinical research that Nordic walking is the most effective low-impact exercise we have in the world," said Dr. Klaus Schwanbeck, credited with bringing Nordic walking to Canada.

"By using the poles, you incorporate all your upper body muscles, 50 per cent more muscles come into play," he said. "The more muscles we are using, the more calories we burn."

About half an hour of Nordic walking equals around 50 minutes of regular walking, with research showing it's great for people with knee, hip or back problems.

In Ottawa, a Nordic walk that organizers said they hope can be an annual event raised money for the Maplesoft cancer survivorship centre on Sunday.

"There's all kinds of programs . . . for people who are fighting cancer, a place for them to go," said organizer Lawrence Greenspon.

The event allowed people to try Nordic walking for the first time.

"I'm breathing more heavily than I would on a normal walk," said one.

"Ages nine to 90, you can do Nordic pole walking," Greenspon said. "Next time you see someone walking with poles and it looks like they're missing their skies, you're going to know its Nordic pole walking."

This walk raised $125,000 for the Maplesoft Centre.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Claudia Cautillo