Trekking and Walking Poles
Walking with trekking poles provides stability and can give you a better all over workout.
A single pole will be very useful when crossing loose terrain or fording moving water but using two trekking poles reduces strain on knees and ankles while increasing walking efficiency by using upper body strength to increase the forward thrust of your walking technique.
Nordic Walking
Nordic Walking is the ultimate example of this involving vigorously
pushing your self along using your poles at
an angle behind you, the thrust of energy from each arm corresponding
with the “push off” from the opposite foot. This technique helps channel
more of the energy in the foot push off into forward momentum rather
than a less efficient up/down motion.
Pole length. This varies according to individual preference
but generally have your arm flexed at around forty five degrees and
keep your poles shorter when going uphill and longer when descending
hills. Going uphill with two
long poles will reduce the input from your arms and coming down
with short poles will
strain your back. Adjust your poles as your walk progresses and if
you need both hands to scramble put them away on your sac.
Storage of walking
poles. Most people need a pole that can be telescoped or
dismantled and packed inside a sac at some stage. The standard three
piece trekking poles are ideal for this.
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