Nordic walking poles

[TwiggyOnce]

I have recently diagnosed osteoporosis with a number of spinal fracture. I was previously quite active walking and gardening. I had been wondering for a while about getting walking poles to exercise my upper body and now am even more keen in the hope that they will help with my posture. Does anyone have any experience please?

[Fruitandnutcase]

Hello TwiggyOnce. I have used Nordic poles for about seven years or so. I started when my husband was needing a hip replacement and his walking was awful but he still couldn’t see a problem. So I signed us up for a six week taster course. Everything we needed was provided for us.

Our teacher showed us how to fit the poles to our height and how to use them. I didn’t join a regular walking group afterwards - I wouldn’t say I was a loner but we’re not ones for group events so we walk a lot but we walk alone.

I found the poles to be very good. I fractured my sacrum in 2021 and they were a blessing then. I could lean on them when I stopped walking and it took the pressure off my back. They also take the weight off your knees and hips, I have recommended them to friends who have had knee problems or been waiting to have knee replacements and they have all sworn by them. It is quite surprising how you can ‘power up’ hills using them.

You can learn by yourself but I think if you can find someone to teach you the correct technique that is by far the best way. It’s definitely money well spent. If you Google ‘nordic walking’ you ought to be able to find a group and a teacher.

We also bought our own poles from our teacher at the end of the session.

The poles we bought are by LEKI and have detachable hand grips which come in really handy because you can leave the ‘glove’ part on your wrist but carry the poles if you are going into a shop or cafe. Our poles can telescope down in length but we always leave them as they are and just shove them into the car boot.

Actually I googled for you 😉 nordicwalking.co.uk

[TwiggyOnce in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you

[Coolcookingteacher]

yes! I joined a local WALX group a few years ago and go out a couple of times a week with my poles, do look them up, they offer different levels and types of walks, thoroughly recommend.

Walx.co.uk

[Siamang]

I also have been using Nordic walking poles for about 4 years now. Takes some pressure off the knees and I seem to get more of a cardio workout as can walk faster! Mine are Leki. I also take traveling as they fold up small.

[MacrobioticFollower]

if you’re going to get walking poles, I highly recommend Pacer Poles. The handles are ergonomically designed and super comfy. I’ve just been walking on The Cotswold Way with them. You can only get them online. Designed and sold by a physio in the Lake District. Good luck.

[Aquadulce]

I love Nordic walking - but have no experience with spinal fracture. If you can do it My main advice would be to get proper training on how to do it.. It’s not just walking with poles.

[Teriparatide2024]

i’ve been using Nordic walking poles for about four years. They are made of carbon, so extremely lightweight. I have severe osteoarthritis of the ankles, but need to keep walking. The poles have saved my life. They also help me keep the upper part of my body fit, and my posture is better than before.

[walk21]

I started with Nordic walking poles about 14 years ago. I can walk more upright with them and they give me confidence to walk where the ground is not so smooth. I went for a short training and took advice about which poles are right for me, and I think that is important. It's a different technique to just any walking poles. I have had multiple fractures and my Nordic poles have got me going again each time

[TwiggyOnce in reply to walk21]

Thank you for the reassurance. I think I now just need to find the right place to go and talk to someone and try some poles out.

[walk21 in reply to TwiggyOnce]

Good luck. Hope it works out well for you

[Southerngirl2787]

I use them when I'm out walking, they are great! You have good arm balance, improve strength, keep yourself upright, and I walk much faster with them. Got mine on Amazon $25, going on 4 years ago, I use Gorilla tape on the bottoms, as the rubber tips go pretty fast, but the tape sticks and has a good grip on the road.