Nordic Walking poles an easy sell for those with balance problems
A friend who is in her mid-50s developed a rapidly progressing neuromuscular condition and in shockingly few months went from being an avid hiker and skier to relying at least on a cane and occasionally a walker. When she came over last night, I let her try a pair of Nordic Walking poles and lent them to her to take home. Today she wrote to me, “I just Nordic walked to the bathroom and back. Definitely gives extra stability. Every little bit helps. So big thanks!!”
I suggested that she look into Boomyah poles (she is using mine right now) and also Exerstrider brand poles, perhaps the Activator Medisport with or without bell-shaped rubber balance tips. She works with a physical therapist and also must maneuver in and out of her car, so adjustable poles make tactical sense.
She is my second direct convert to using Nordic Walking poles for balance. The first was a neighbor who just celebrated her 86th birthday. She had fallen a few times in the house and was ordered to walk more. With poles, she feels more confident, and when she can be coaxed off her lounge chair, she now walks with her Boomyahs, which she caught at their introductory sale pricing.
Neither my friend nor my neighbor will evever adopt any version of Nordic Walking tehnique, but both can benefit immensesly. Whenever someone with balance problems tries a pair of poles, s/he is ready to buy a pair. Those without such issues are often harder to persuade, even when they have used demo or rental poles or even bought their own. I have a neighbor who bought a pair yet walks several pole-less miles a day and complains that she has no upper-body strength. When I suggest that she start using her poles, she just shrugs. My experience was just the opposite. When I first tried Nordic Walking poles, I felt the magic, took a couple of classes and now use them regularly. In fact, when I’m hiking in the high country and find a relatively smooth and flat section of a trail, I find myself auto-shifting into Nordic Walking style, even if I am using my hiking/trekking poles.
Yes, poles can really help those with mobility problems. In just day to day observations of people, I notice so many that could be benefiting from poles. I agree that their is hesitation from the general public to use them. Soon, they'll be the 'thing' to have though. Jayah Paley has a great DVD out that helps those with mobility issues. Quite a few testimonials on it as well. http://www.polesformobility.com/
Nordic Walking Poles really do help to radically improve balance and stability. I have been hosting free Nordic Walking Classes at MS and Parkinson’s Support Groups for years.
During all of my Nordic Walking Clinics I always provide REAL Nordic Walking Poles (one-piece design) from http://WWW.SKIWALING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System.
Last week my son Keefer and I hosted free Nordic Walking Classes and donated free Nordic Walking Poles to the Wounded Warriors at Fort Carson in Colorado. Many of these heroic individuals came with canes and walkers, but soon discovered that the correct length Nordic Walking Poles were a huge improvement.
I would NEVER recommend any type of adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles to individuals with balance issues. One-piece poles that are sized correctly prove to be safer, lighter and much more durable.
Everyday we receive calls and emails from individuals that are having problems with the twist-lock and/or flip-lock poles.
After hosting a series of clinics at Fort Carson we did some trout fishing and Nordic Walking in the Pikes Peak Region. Our SWIX and EXEL one-piece Nordic Walking Poles performed fantastically as expected and again debunked the myth that you need to adjust the length of your poles climbing and descending hills.
Many thanks to the Red Cross that set this program up at Fort Carson to help the Wounded Warriors.
Following some simple exercises, one can loose weight. Exercises like: pole walking, in pole walking, one have to walk with pair of sticks, preferably a set of Nordic poles. One can even go for weighted vest into one’s wardrobe, Wii Fit game which includes yoga to aerobics, strength building and balance based exercises.
Pole Walking – Claire didn't say anything that her friends wanted to loose weight. She said that they had balance problems. Did you mean to write your comment to a thread about losing weight?
Poles for Stability, Poles for Mobility — two sides of the same coin. Thanks Rhea, of Nordic Walk this Way, for alerting readers to Jayah's inspiring Poles for Mobility site. I have added a link to it and hope people take advantage of this excellent resource for the mobility-challenged.
Pole Walking – Perhaps you intended to add the comment sbout weight loss to the "Weighty Matter" post at http://nordic-walking-usa.blogspot.com/2009/08/weighty-question.html
I've never heard of the Nordic walking poles, but my father has severe arthritis and it sounds like this could be something very useful for him. He walks with a cane now, but I'd like to see him gaining more movement throughout his days. I work for Chef's Diet, we're a program that specializes in delivering fresh meals made from low carb/high protein meats and vegetables that are delivered to your door. For those that might have mobility problems and can't visit the grocery store and often as they'd like, this could be an extremely useful program. If you'd like to know more, visit us at http://www.mychefsdiet.com.
Bill – Where does your dad live? Perhaps we can connect him with an instructor.