My partner G is a walking pole user while I am not. He likes the sticks because he has a weak ankle that becomes painful when walking long distances. He finds the poles keep some of the weight off his ankle. He also tells me that the walking poles aid his balance and offer extra power when walking uphill. When he walks downhill with the poles, he is usually far faster and more efficient than me, who trails behind without the poles.
I have tried walking with poles but I find they get in the way. It could be that I have not practiced enough or that I am simply uncoordinated! But I should probably persevere because I am sure they would stop my knees from becoming painful when walking downhill and aid my balance on steep uphills. G also tells me of something he read about expedition leaders who regularly used walking poles being able to work for many years longer than non-walking pole peers.
The use of the poles reduced the wear and tear of walking and as the leaders became older hey could still carry on walking. Most walking pole manufacturers offer guidelines as to the right length for your height. Some walkers say that poles should be adjusted according to the terrain. So poles are set longer for descending and shorter for ascending. Some poles boast long handles so walkers can move their hands up and down the handle according to the terrain. As a general rule, the pole should be set to a length that allows your hand to lightly grip the handle while your arm is at a right angle to the ground.
That is, your forearm is parallel to the ground and bent at the elbow. The straps make a useful addition to the poles, which allow you to walk with a looser grip and a more relaxed style. To make best use of the straps place your hand up through the strap and form a large O-shape with your thumb and forefinger. Then slide it down around the handle of the pole. This means that when you apply downward pressure to propel yourself forwards, it is transferred not from your tight grip on the pole handle but from the tension applied between the wrist and strap.
So as you stride along your poles become an extension to the flow of your wrist, arms and whole body movement.
The price range of poles will suit all budgets. But the most important aspects are comfort especially the handle and durability. If you plan to walk abroad or need to use public transport to get to a walk make sure the poles can be shortened or folded up while travelling.
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Learn more. Here are our top 10 reasons why trekking poles should be a standard part of your hiking kit: Trekking poles incorporate your arms and shoulders into the hiking motion, allowing you to use more muscle to propel yourself uphill and to control your descent. The net result is an increase in speed, without an increase in leg soreness. Poles reduce the impact on your legs, knees, ankles, and feet, especially when going downhill.
A study reported in The Journal of Sports Medicine described how trekking poles can reduce compressive force on knees by as much as 25 percent. By allowing the shoulder muscles to absorb some of the force that would otherwise travel through the knees, trekking poles can extend your lifespan as an active, pain-free hiker. Trekking poles can deflect backcountry nuisances, pushing away thorny blackberries and spider webs — which can make your travel more comfortable.
You must be logged in to post a comment. Last weekend we had the opportunity to help organize and co-host a Fall Adventure event for families in the Rockwood […]. November 10, Alana Community. It was dinner time, and frustration was high. Cooped up inside all day, I was anxious to get my two […]. Toggle navigation. And, if you ever tandem carry, or hike on icy winter trails, trekking poles are a must! Engage and activate those muscles! Using trekking poles on any kind of surface or terrain can help you better engage the muscles of your arms, core, and yes, even your leg muscles.
Joint protection: Adding two additional points of contact is better for our bodies, especially on those downhills, however long or steep they may or may not be. So save your knees, ankles and hips. And yes, save your back too! Think safety! Erin Pennings.
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