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Walking with Poles
updated: Jun 21, 2011, 1:37 PM

I just received, as a present, some Nordic Hiking/Walking poles and am looking for someone who has experience with this type of "walking" and who might be interested in giving some lessons to get me started. I know that there is definitely a correct way of doing this, and would love to get started the "right" way.

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YMCA

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 185092	2011-06-21 01:49 PM
YouTube will teach you how to walk:)
COMMENT 185095	2011-06-21 02:04 PM
If you look like a complete dork you are doing it right!
LIZTISH340	2011-06-21 02:52 PM
You will enjoy the walking poles. Don't listen to people who make fun of them. They are a great aid for anyone who has difficulty walking. You'll be surprised how much you'll enjoy them.--I do think there is a video on the web, but they're not difficult to use. Good luck and happy hiking!
COMMENT 185128	2011-06-21 03:09 PM
I believe that the Y in SB has Nordic Walking classes Tues and Thurs 8-9 am.
COMMENT 185134	2011-06-21 03:15 PM
Put one foot in front of the other...
COMMENT 185135	2011-06-21 03:15 PM
no classes needed, just go for a lenght that is comfortable. longer for downhill, shorter for uphill. it will feel right or not
COMMENT 185145	2011-06-21 03:23 PM
....then repeat
COMMENT 185195	2011-06-21 04:25 PM
It all depends on the movement of your feet in coordination with the swing of your arms. Left arm = Left leg and Right arm + Right leg. It's kinda like walking and chewing gum at the same time only you throw in rough terrain ascending or descending the trail while watching for Snakes, Bobcats, Mountain Lions, Bicycles, Horses, Poison Oak, Bees, many other stinging, biting bugs and low flying aircraft. All in all, it's pretty fun being out there on the trail
ARTEMISIA	2011-06-21 08:48 PM
195: No, no, no, it's right arm + left leg, left arm + right leg, just as if you're swinging your arms while walking. I used to think trekking poles were dorky, but then I saw a lot of really fit people using them in the Himalayas. Not just for folks with balance problems. They do give you stability and confidence on irregular terrain, but also better upper body workout than just walking. I love them!
COMMENT 185371	2011-06-22 07:15 AM
I think there is a big difference between hiking with trekking poles and doing the Nordic walking thing. From what little I know of Nordic walking, you put your hand goes through the loop of the strap from the top so that you can put weight on the strap, not on the pole. Then you walk fast with a lot of arm movement and use the poles on the push-off part of the step to help push yourself.
KATYDID	2011-06-22 10:02 AM
Any suggestions as to where to use these around town? Like where there may be others using them, too? I want to get the exercise benefit (they really do provide a great upper body workout) but just feel too goofy using them around my neighborhood on my own. As to the correct way to use them... link
COMMENT 185646P	2011-06-22 01:43 PM
katydid---I find either grass (if you have the baskets above the tips near the pole end) or very smooth (think parking lot, not streets) asphalt the best surfaces.. Hiking or trekking tips are rounded, and are for rougher trail type ground. Nordic tips are 'boot shaped' (and turned to face backwards) to get the best traction on the smoother surfaces and so they don't have a tendency to bounce. OP: There are several good short how-to's on the web at Leki and Nordic websites. Watch half a dozen. I like the tip to first just keep arms at your side with a regular stride, just letting the poles drag. Then, gradually start swinging your arms as you would naturally, planting the tip about mid-stride (mid-distance between front and rear feet). If you get off kilter, just drag your poles and pick it up again. Main thing is keep strides shorter and quicker that a ramble. It's fun, your posture will improve and it really excercises your chest and arms. You can get our heart rate going! if you're working too hard at it, you're thinking to hard about it.
COMMENT 186017P	2011-06-23 09:56 AM
OP: if you find someone to show you the ropes, why not start your own group, and post about it here? This walking technique is HUGE in Europe and Canada, just now catching on here. Beware most sporting good stores don't know the difference between hiking/trekking wildland poles and Nordic poles for smooth surfaces, and may sell you the wrong poles, as happened in my case.