Walking poles/walking sticks - just a new craze? All you need to know about walking poles

Is walking with walking poles or walking sticks just a new craze or is it really good for you? Judy, one of our walking guests, introduced me to pole walking or Nordic walking. We actually bought a pair of walking poles for her to use while walking with us, as she was travelling light and couldn't bring her own and we thought it would be a good idea to offer such service to our walking guests. Judy was a mine of information and she kindly explained to me how to use the walking poles. Many of our successive guests have since used our walking poles but I am surprised to see that not many people actually know how to use them to their full capacity. Please read on to find out more on how walking with walking sticks is good for you, how to choose walking poles, how to set up your walking poles so you can fully benefit from them and if it is better to walk with one or two walking poles.

Walking with walking poles/stick is actually good for you because:

• It helps with your balance (ideal also when crossing rivers or on slippery terrain).


• It supports your body weight and thus reduces stress on your feet, legs, knees, hips and your back (especially when going downhill). So if you have any problems with any of these body parts, the walking sticks will be a great help. And if you haven't got any, they will lessen the normal "wear and tear" associated with walking.


• It helps when going uphill by giving you that extra push.


• It gives you a better posture and enables you to breathe more efficiently.


• It is very good for working out the upper body such as the arms, shoulders, upper chest, neck and the upper back, while helping to loosen any tensions that normally accumulate in the neck and the shoulder area due to stress, working at a desk/computer, etc...


• It increases your heart rate without your feeling it (easier cardio workout).


• You burn a lot more calories.

My 5 top tips for choosing walking poles:

• Despite people saying the one piece poles are more secure and durable, I find telescopic walking poles more comfortable for walking on mixed terrain as is the case here in the Serrania de Ronda. You can then adjust them depending on the terrain (see how to set them up for more info on walking poles adjustment).


• Choose poles with a comfortable handle. I prefer soft textured handles that feel smooth to the touch. Plastic ones can be a bit rough after a while and a bit slippery with sweat on hot days.


• Choose poles with comfortable straps designed to support your wrists.


• An added comfort is the shock absorbing features that some poles have. Some says this feature adds some weight to the poles, but it cushions impacts on your wrists when walking on hard ground or on rocky slopes.


• Light weight poles are indeed a must.

How to set up your walking poles/sticks:

• The height of your pole is very important so as not to strain your back or your elbows: while standing tall and holding your walking pole, the inside angle of your elbow should be at 90 degrees.


• When walking uphill, you will need to shorten your poles to obtain that same comfortable height.


• And when walking downhill, you will need to lengthen your poles to obtain that same comfortable height.


• Use your straps instead of holding firmly your walking sticks: put your hand through the strap and adjust it so that while holding lightly the handle, the heal of your hand rests comfortably onto the strap (that's why it's important to buy walking poles with ergonomically designed straps). While walking, apply pressure onto the straps instead of gripping the handle. This way, your hands and wrist don't get tired.

Walking with one or two walking poles?

Well, the general consensus seems to be that it is much better to walk with 2 walking poles for a good walking rhythm, balance and general workout. However, the main thing is your being comfortable. If it feels weird walking with 2 poles, I would use just the one. You won't get the full aerobic benefits but it will still give you some support to relieve your knees, hips, legs and back.

I would like to thank Judy for sharing with me her knowledge about pole walking and I hope you will have found this information interesting and helpful.