Because of the benefits of walking poles, people are now beginning to buy one for themselves. If you are planning to go on a walking holiday with long and hilly walks, then using a walking pole is very much recommended.
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If you use walking poles, your feet, legs, knees, and back will not feel so much stress. This is true because there is an even sharing of load with the walking pole across the whole body. If you are carrying a heavy backpack, then a walking pole will help to share the load.
There are a lot more benefits to using a walking pole. Included in the benefits are the protection of your knees when walking down steep hills, aids balance on uneven trails, improvement of power and endurance when walking uphill, increases your speed going downhill, improves your posture and helps your breathe, burns more calories because of upper body and leg workout, provides extra stability, reduces fatigue and improves endurance, strengthens muscles that support the spine, and builds muscles in arms, neck, and shoulders.
If you are going to buy a walking pole, there are guidelines offered by manufacturers as to the right length for your height. You should be able to adjust your poles according to the terrain. You need longer poles for descending and shorter poles for ascending.
The long handles on some poles is to help walkers move their hands up and down the handle according to the terrain.
To determine the right length for a pole, you hand should be able to lightly grip the handle while your arm is at a right angle to the ground. You will have your forearm parallel to the ground with bent elbows in this position.
You should add straps to your walking pole. You can loosen your grips and walk more relaxed with the use of straps.
You can make the best use of the straps by placing your hand up through the strap and form a large O-shape with your thumb and forefinger. You then need to slide it down around the pole handle.
The downward pressure applied to propel yourself forward is transferred from the tension applied between the wrist and strap and not from your tight grip on the pole handle.
So, your poles become an extension of the flow of your wrist, arm, and whole body movement as you stride along.
When traveling, make sure that your poles are shortened or folded up. It is easier to travel if your poles can fit in a travel bag or attached to the outside of your backpack. If your walking poles are shortened, then traveling with them will be easier.
So, if you are planning your next walking holiday, remember to bring along a walking pole with you to enjoy all the benefits.