Walking poles - you don’t see someone using them very frequently, but when you do, it gets your attention.  They may not be the norm for most people who walk but it is a perfect low-impact tool helping individuals of all ages achieve maximum benefits for their health, wellness, and fitness.

There are several studies supporting this style of walking for anyone who engages in walking as their form of exercise.  A 2016 study found that both healthy people and those with chronic heart failure were able to increase the intensity of their aerobic training in a safe manner using Nordic walking poles.  Another study showed that using walking poles helps improve postural alignment and restored a person’s gait to a more natural, normal pattern.  A third 2016 study looked at the use of walking poles on muscle and cartilage damage in obese women and found that using the poles helped reduce muscle and cartilage damage after downhill walking. 

Other studies have found walking poles to be beneficial for faster weight loss, better cardiovascular health and better posture.  Even people who are recovering from knee or hip surgery can benefit from using walking poles by getting back to moving again sooner.

Walking without poles primarily uses the muscles in the lower half of the body.  When a person walks with walking poles, this engages the use of upper body muscles – arms, back, shoulders, and neck turning walking into a whole-body workout.  In fact, when comparing the amount of muscles used in various forms of exercise, those who use walking poles use a higher percentage of their muscles:

·         Riding a stationary bike uses about 30-40% of your muscles

·         Walking/jogging uses about 40-50% of your muscles

·         Using walking poles uses 90% of your muscles

Here are other benefits of using walking poles:

·         Increases cardiovascular workout

·         Burns more calories- up to 46% more calorie expenditure

·         Reduced stress on hips and knees through the support of the poles

·         Improves posture and balance

·         It’s perceived as less workout than the actual true physical exertion

·         Improves upper body mobility

·         Reduces upper back, neck, and shoulder pain

·         Is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels