Hiking with Poles and Nordic Walking

I went hiking this weekend and used my poles for the climb up and then back down the mountain.

They were very helpful and provide an added measure of balance and “oomph” as we climbed the ~2 mile grade from the Blue Ridge Parkway http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/  at the Slacks Overlook up to Bald mountain and the jeep road there. They provided even more assistance on the return downhill trip as they helped reduce the impact and stress on my knees as I came down the steep grade.

I also enjoyed an additional endorphin buzz in my chest, shoulder and back muscles after using the poles . Hiking with poles is also a great Total Body exercise.  It is known as Nordic Walking ( Nordic or Cross Country Skiing) and is quite popular in other parts of the world and can be done in town as well as the country.

Several manufacturers make and distribute fancy poles (look like ski poles) for this purpose. Many are used for hikers and backpackers but can be used around town on daily walks.

 I have heavy carved and polished wooden poles that work for me but may be too heavy for others. I have experimented with the lighter poles and am getting used to the lightweight but have had trouble with the strength/stability of the poles. I have broken 3 sets of poles so far.  I am not a good test case since I am a little bigger and stronger then many folks.

BENEFITS NORDIC WALKING- It has been estimated that up to 48% additional energy is used while walking with and using the trekking poles.  Compared to regular walking, Nordic walkers use more of their entire body (with greater intensity) and receive fitness building stimulation not as present in normal walking for the chest, lats, triceps, biceps, shoulder, abdominals, spinal and other core muscles. This extra muscle involvement leads to enhancements over ordinary walking at equal paces such as:

• increased overall strength and endurance
• significant increases in heart rate at a given pace
• greater ease in climbing hills
• burning more calories than in plain walking
• improved balance and stability with use of the poles
• significant reduction of stress on hips, knees and ankles and feet