Fitness and Exercise are a must for a healthy body and mind. Nordic Walking Poles can make getting fit a little easier. Let's Review these walking aids and see how they could fit into your life.
Nordic Walking poles look something like ski poles, but they are made for walking on all kinds of terrain. They are adjustable in height and have different tips on the bottoms of the poles to help you when walking on dirt roads, sidewalks and snow as well. There is NO AGE LIMIT on who can use these walking poles. What I have found with them as I use them, is that it just adds a little bit of stability to every step I take. Because of that added security, I tend to walk farther and faster too! Walking is the number one way to keep fit, enjoy nature and the outdoors, and feel wonderful, without being exhausted at the end of the exercise time. These are all bonuses to me. Here's a great YouTube Video instruction for you to understand the differences between walking and Nordic Walking!
What makes using the Nordic Walking Poles so good is that used properly, you have turned a simple walk into a cardio exercise. How is that possible? Walking poles should be at a height that makes your arms rest at a 90 degree angle to your body. When you walk, you use alternating hands and feet to take the steps. With arms swinging and your step lengthened, you are now working your heart as well as your legs and body. It is almost like using an "Elliptical" machine in the gym, but your choice of where you walk can be much nicer than staring at a wall in a gym.
The added bonus is that you don't need to pay for a gym membership and the walking poles are very inexpensive. You choose what time of day, where and how long you want to walk. Take them with you on a Sunday afternoon stroll through your favorite park or "green space". They are portable, lightweight and so easy to use.
From all the reading I have done, I know that Nordic Walking is a great exercise that can be done by just about everyone and it does not tire you out so much that you want to go home and drop into a chair never to move again. It is an easy exercise that done 3 to 4 times a week, for at least 10 to 20 minutes, will keep you healthier and your body happier than just sitting around doing nothing! Give it a try! My thoughts are that once you start, you won't stop, and that is a good thing for sure. Just two more things that you might want to bring along for your walk and they are a good hat to keep the sun off your head and a water bottle to help you keep hydrated. With these three items, you are good to go and I bet you will enjoy your walks so much more than before.
That's my "other half" checking out his fancy blue Nordic Walking Poles. Mine are red!
P.S. as with any walking I am assuming that you will wear good walking shoes. (that's a given, right?)
I've actually looked at these a few times as a way to increase my cardio effectiveness of my walks, although when I mentioned it to my husband he just looked at me and said, 'exactly how are you going to use them, you have your camera in one hand and the dog lead in the other!'. He has a point, but I still like the idea of them!
ReplyDeleteLouanne, you need a few more items to get you organized like an octapus.....Camera around the neck, dog lead around the waist, Nordic poles strapped to your wrists and you are good to go! Sounds really easy, but I'm sure it would not really be that easy to do. I guess it depends on the dog! lol
ReplyDeleteAnything that helps increase your mobility as the years creep up is good. Thanks for reviewing these Nordic walking poles, Olivia
ReplyDeleteI agree Miss Elf, with arthritis and joint issues, these Nordic Walking Poles are the answer to many problems that I personally have. Hopefully someone else will find it inspiring as well and get them moving to better health and fitness.
DeleteWhen I first started reading, I was thinking cane, but these walking poles are actually totally different! How very cool. I do think the guy in the video had more energy than I do though. Still, I can see that the poles would certainly have a benefit, especially for someone who is walking for the exercise.
ReplyDeleteThe good part is that you don't need to walk for hours to get the benefits of using the walking poles. For beginners it is suggested that 10 minutes a day for 3 or 4 days a week, will start the process. I think once you have the proper "walk" for the poles it will be much easier and you'd last longer. They are amazing and I really like mine.
DeleteI have thought about getting walking poles for my hiking on the trails. But I had never imagined using them for walking/exercise. What a great idea! Thank you for sharing the information.
ReplyDeleteOut at the shack these poles would be so useful. I bet you'd love the experience and that you are doing your body good at the same time. Get a set for yourself, they are affordable and will last a long time. All season usage too!
DeleteExcellent review! I've seen people walking with these but until I read your review I really didn't get why they were used. Of course stability! That should have jumped out at me first. I used to walk for hours, sometimes I'd be gone for 2 or 3 hours when the kids were young. Pushing a stroller all around Oakville for hours at a time on certain days. Now that I'm older and have a pretty major health issue walking is no longer an option. It really does make me sad, because as I said, I used to walk for hours and I'm a trained figure skater for over a decade as well. I used to jump and spin like the wind on ice, and now walking is an issue. I've found the bike though. The bike is one exercise I can do without pain. I was quite shocked that it didn't hurt to bike.
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