Nordic Walking
Nordic walking sticks – 3 important questions to be answered before buying
Nordic walking sticks, trekking poles and ski poles are similar except for the fact that Nordic walking sticks do not contain basket but have an additional rubber boot tip. This makes walking on pavement or concrete much easier. Also, this kind of walking promotes fitness. The benefits on health which can be seen while performing this exercise consist of less impact on hips and knees, increased calorie expenditure, better stability and balance. Many people today have realized the fitness benefits provided by this activity. This has made it a popular choice among fitness enthusiasts around the world.
There are many kinds of Nordic walking poles available in the market and hence it becomes difficult to decide on the perfect pair. Therefore, in order to assist in getting the perfect poles, some of the following questions should be answered.
Do they have adjustable poles?
The first thing to remember while looking for Nordic walking poles is whether they can be adjusted according to a particular height or not. Most of the times they are called “telescoping” poles. The adjustable poles permit the customization of the length of the pole in order to suit unique walking style and needs. While choosing a telescoping pole, check the locking mechanism strength at the joint. Also, ensure to buy high quality poles which will be able to hold the overall body weight.
Do the Handles contain Straps?
Fascinatingly, today the market is full of Nordic walking sticks which contain wrist straps as well as a handle that has the style of a ski-pole. However, it may turn out to be dangerous if there is an accidental fall. An alternative to this is a unique ergonomic design which has no strap but a comfortable grip and has a flared base. This provides additional stability and also allows it to “let go” easily and quickly if there is ever a fall. Another benefit for this kind of a pole is that it provides resistance of the upper-body while walking. This translates to improved cardiovascular health, increased muscle tone and also increased weight loss.
Do the poles have a warranty?
As there is a variety of these Nordic walking sticks in the market, there is a huge competition among the manufacturers. This is good news for the consumer as the product prices would be reduced but sometimes there is a negative effect; they try to diminish the quality of the product. Therefore, while choosing these walking sticks, there should never be a compromise of stability and balance. So, always confirm whether the Nordic walking sticks have been made of high quality material and have the manufacturer’s warranty before buying them.
Nordic walking sticks are used mostly for health benefits, because they combine accessibility with simplicity and can be used as an option in place of ordinary fitness walking. Other than that, they are utilized even for sports. Many tournaments for Nordic walking have emerged. Such sports are gaining popularity and competitions are being held in many parts of the world. Hence, Nordic walking sticks are very beneficial.