Nordic Poles/Walking Sticks Affirmation
Are you hestitate to try the Nordic Poles/Walking Sticks? I had a good question from one of our subscribers asking me if I use my Nordic Poles all year round. The answer is “yes”. When I started walking with the poles, I was the only one in my neighborhood using them. I had a few people stop and ask me about them. I even let them try them out by showing them the walking technique. I smiled last week when I saw three people walking with the poles/sticks. One neighbor even had snowshoes on with this poles and was doing cross country snow skiing on flat ground on ten inches of snow. Nordic walking/stick walking is for men and women. It was great to see.
Why should you use the Nordic poles? It is a personal decision. I use them for balance in walking; giving my upper body quite a work out; helps me speed up; gives my whole body a work out and not just my lower body and it is fun! Some people do associate the poles with snow/winter walking and that is just not true. You can use them all year around – it is an exercise technique no matter what the weather may be outside. I believe it is a “must” for overweight people who may be having trouble being mobile. The poles provide a stable and balanced walk which is needed when a person has a health issue. Whether you live in California or the upper part of the Dakatos, you can Nordic Walk and feel good about the healthy benefits you are providing your whole body. I am happy to report that Nordic Walking Groups are being formed, with certified trainers, right here in the United States. Check it out here
I use the Nordic Poles. I took some training (one hour) from a certified instructor that is also a patient of mine. With them I can do an mile in 8.5 minutes and without them is have to push to power walk one in under 11 minutes. The workout is tremendous!
I am probably doing more than most readers here but I mention this to point out that you get more benefit for your time by using them. I am lazy by nature and am always looking for ways to get more for less. Nordic poles are a way to get all the above and if you want a fairly intense workout in a short period of time. I also use them indoors when I travel. I climb the hotel steps and they help me with speed and balance on the steps (I only walk up – if I do more than one trip I ride the elevator down and go up again. Going down is very hard on the knees and more likely to result in a fall.)