Nordic walking

[Ianc2]

I walk a fair amount and I usually use a single walking pole, if only to point at stroppy dogs, but I used to come back with my left arm feeling a bit dead and with a bit of an ache along the left shoulder joint.

So I took up walking with two poles and I am pleasantly surprised at the difference it has made to my stability and my left arm now feel useful again. My speed has improved slightly going uphill and my body feels like it is getting a more balanced exercise session.

Is it a cure for afib? Probably not - but it will hopefully get the blood flowing in the arteries in the left arm, so hopefully it will be a good thing, costs very little, and every little helps.

[BobD Volunteer]

Before my arthritic knees stopped me I use a pair of poles for walking. Apart from being a walks leader for Ramblers group in Essex I also loved fell walking in Lake district and likened the poles to four wheel drive. The only time I ever walked without them was one trip from Rosthwaite to Watendlath when I lent them to my Father who was struggling (he was 80 something) and never got them back. Had to go into Ambleside and buy a new set of carbon poles which I still have.

There are two ways to use them and strictly Nordic walking uses the poles at the trail pushing forward. I use mine for and aft like ski poles especially when going down hill when the terrain is uneven when you can turn around your lead pole like a stem turn in skiing and reduce the gradient.

Which ever method you use it gives you a full body work out, speeds progress and helps just about everything. Do take care if walking in a group mind as it can be all too easy to stab or trip people and quite a shock to the system if somebody stands on one of your poles.

[Ianc2 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob for your cheery reply. You have just evoked a memory from a few years ago. I was beginning my descent from the kander glacier in Switzerland when a young couple came rapidly along. They were using their Poles to swing through and vanished down the mountain path at great speed. To say I was envious would be an understatement.

[Barb1]

My Physio advised to never use one crutch, stick or pole. Always a pair for correct balance. It works and means you walk better on shorter distances without them.

[secondtry]

Yes they are great, I do 2 miles with them every day on a ideal hard surface Nature Trail where you can really get some purchase. You can also run with them - I do 300m each day to get the system flowing! The last time I did Langlauf in Austria weirdly I had a lot of bruising down the lower inside arm - no clue why, maybe I burst a vein??

[momist]

I too have only ever used one pole. I suppose that I was too embarrassed to take two, as that would mark me out as a 'serious' walker, which I don't see myself as. 3000 feet and about 12 miles is the most I ever attempted in a day, and mostly only half that. However, I would never walk off road without a pole, even for an evening stroll. To me, the advantage is that "third point of reference" that gives your brain such a boost in your sense of balance and confidence.