Anybody here use Nordic Walking poles - or even "ordinary" hiking poles??

[Bazza1234]

I have a pair of el cheapo hiking poles and have fitted Nordic feet to them. They have inner springs inside them and tend to be noisy ( very annoying) . While in Germany recently I saw people using nice looking single piece Nordic walking poles which I admired greatly - but they a seem to be quite expensive.

[runswithdogs]

I've used hiking poles for hiking, but not urban walking. I enjoy the stability they provide, but I do find they take a little getting used to. Can you oil the springs to reduce the sound? Or do you have any upcoming outdoor gear swaps that may have inexpensive, gently used ones?

[Bazza1234 in reply to runswithdogs]

Just for a bit of fun, you should try using your hiking poles in the Nordic walking fashion during an urban walk. In essence the pole ends drag along the ground behind you but as you go to step forward on a leg, your opposite hand (as it swings back) seizes hold of the pole grip firmly and applies forward force from a point behind you. . It gives you a sensation of somebody behind you pushing you forward. It provides a good upper body workout as you walk and raises your HR above what you get when just walking. On flat ground, I can get good exercise of my leg muscles but cannot get my HR raised very much. youtube.com/watch?v=ZKTufkz...(Not working as expected?)

[Hidden in reply to Bazza1234]

Thanks for the link!

[runswithdogs in reply to Bazza1234]

I'll have to give it a try. I don't think it's so popular in my neck of the woods yet, I've only seen one or two people doing it and I had assumed they were just using hiking poles oddly. I assumed Nordic walking was just a non-North American word for hiking, but now I've learned something new and want to try.

[Realfoodieclub]

I know SMITHYC uses Nordic Walking poles and goes out with a group. I keep saying I am going to get mine out again, but finding extra time for another workout is proving quite hard. Last time I took mine out I did 2km and really felt it in my upper body but it was just a couple of week after my op and I maybe wasn't quite ready for them. I really must get going with them 😀. Let us know how you get on.

[SMITHYC in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Hiya

Nordic poles are great you will find that when you do start using them that you will be able to walk further. Once you have mastered the technique you will reep the rewards

[Janer]

I recently bought some Pacerpoles which work in a similar way to Nordic poles I think. Their website is really informative

pacerpole.com

[Hidden]

Thanks for the link Bazza1234

[Bazza1234]

I have used my poles twice since i originally posted here -2x5Ks . I think I prefer to use them when walking on grass and with the rubber foot of the poles removed. My poles are only cheapie collapsible ones and are quite noisy to use , especially on a hard surface. They do give me a good workout though. Not necessarily a faster walk but I can rarely work up a sweat when walking on the flat but can with the poles. I have decided to incorporate them into my 4 day marathon training plan as a training day instead of an easy run. I recently had some really bad calf muscle problems and am now thinking that I had been overdoing the running.

[SMITHYC]

Hiya

It is easier walking on rough ground. The rubber feet do help on the flat ground. Poles shouldn,'t be noisy even cheap ones. Have you got them set up correctly?Enjoy your walks

[Bazza1234 in reply to SMITHYC]

I have found out why my poles have been "noisy" - found oot on the internet to put some tape around the lower parts of the two adjustable joins before screwing them up tight - this is where the "vibration" was coming from - nice and quiet now. My poles are actually collapsible hiking poles but I managed to find some proper Nordic rubber "feet" when we were in Norway recently. They seem to wear very quickly when using them on concrete and bituminous road surface. Think I might stick to grass and dirt walking using the carbide steel tips.

[SMITHYC in reply to Bazza1234]

Sounds like a good idea.

[S11m]

I used my poles a week ago - and they extended my stride to the extent that they caused a strain injury in my hip (but I had been a powerchair user until recently).

The injury might have been caused by climbing over styles.