Nordic Walking Poles
Product Review
Nordic walking poles are one of the latest fitness crazes, but the good news is that they are probably here to stay. People who live in Finland as well as other Nordic lands have been using these walking poles for decades. They are perfect for hiking up hills or taking a walk at your local park.
After my surgery, I was unable to walk in my favorite places which included walking on my property in the hills. I was always off balance and afraid of twisting my ankle again. Walking with a cane is fine on level ground, but using one to walk on uneven ground can be treacherous.
Recently I discovered the Nordic walking poles and wanted to share the idea of them with others who have Lupus and other connective tissue disease. These are the reasons I feel they can be beneficial:
1. They are very lightweight and comfortable to walk with
2. They can increase the number of calories that you burn when walking
3. Because they can "assist" you walking, you may find that you can walk further than you could before
4. They can be used on a variety of surfaces because they come with several different tips- a rubber tip and a rubber "paw" tip. When hiking, remove the rubber tips for greater stability.
5. They make it easy for you to maintain your stability when walking. It is like having two lightweight canes that help you keep your balance.
6. They are relatively inexpensive. A nice new pair can be found for $50 or less. More expensive models can be found for over $150, but less expensive sets serve their purpose just as well.
How do you start? Using Nordic walking poles can be a fun experience. You can either buy them and start using them right away or you can hire a trainer who lists using them as a specialty. A great place to begin using them is at your local park on a well worn trail. After you get familiar using them, you can try to be more adventuresome and hike a little.
If you are beginning an exercise program, always check with your physician or specialist before beginning something new. You may need extra support such as a knee brace or special leg braces on certain joints, depending on your condition. Your physician can help you determine what your needs are before you begin using Nordic walking poles.
