The Benefits of Walking Poles
Walking is one of the best ways to get in shape and stay in shape.
Walking is good exercise for all ages and requires little investment.
A good pair of walking shoes is all you need to get started.
Once the walking bug has bitten you and you look forward to your daily walks, you might consider investing in walking poles.
Chiropractors recommend using walking poles if you want to enhance your walking workout.
The activity, often called Nordic walking, offers many added benefits beyond regular walking.
Walking poles boost your level of activity creating a full body workout by adding an upper body workout to your lower body workout.
During Nordic walking you will use your arms, chest, and back muscles in addition to the calf, leg, hip and buttock muscles already used during regular walking.
The increased level of activity not only helps to strengthen your core and upper body but will also help increase your cardiovascular workout as your body will be working harder.
Benefits of using walking poles may include but are not limited to:
Walking poles come in pairs.
You will need one for each hand.
The most basic poles provide an easy handle for gripping, a wrist strap to hold them in place, and a rubber tip at the bottom to help provide placement on the ground.
The poles should fit your height or be adjustable so you can change the setting to your appropriate height.
When walking with your poles you should be able to easily strike the ground with each pole while maintaining good walking posture.
If the poles cause you to lose proper alignment, readjust them or purchase a different pair.
If you have questions about Nordic walking or if you have questions about the proper fit of the poles with your body, contact your local chiropractor for a consult.
A chiropractor can check the height of your poles and your walking posture to be sure that you are getting the most out of your workout.
Walking is good exercise for all ages and requires little investment.
A good pair of walking shoes is all you need to get started.
Once the walking bug has bitten you and you look forward to your daily walks, you might consider investing in walking poles.
Chiropractors recommend using walking poles if you want to enhance your walking workout.
The activity, often called Nordic walking, offers many added benefits beyond regular walking.
Walking poles boost your level of activity creating a full body workout by adding an upper body workout to your lower body workout.
During Nordic walking you will use your arms, chest, and back muscles in addition to the calf, leg, hip and buttock muscles already used during regular walking.
The increased level of activity not only helps to strengthen your core and upper body but will also help increase your cardiovascular workout as your body will be working harder.
Benefits of using walking poles may include but are not limited to:
- Improves your balance and stability on your walks
- Strengthens upper back muscles, shoulder muscles, arm and chest muscles
- Increases your cardiovascular activity
- Burns more calories
- Helps you maintain proper posture (be sure your poles fit your height)
- Takes stress off your lower back, hips, knees, and ankles (if you have conditions such as arthritis or tendonitis, this can be particularly helpful)
Walking poles come in pairs.
You will need one for each hand.
The most basic poles provide an easy handle for gripping, a wrist strap to hold them in place, and a rubber tip at the bottom to help provide placement on the ground.
The poles should fit your height or be adjustable so you can change the setting to your appropriate height.
When walking with your poles you should be able to easily strike the ground with each pole while maintaining good walking posture.
If the poles cause you to lose proper alignment, readjust them or purchase a different pair.
If you have questions about Nordic walking or if you have questions about the proper fit of the poles with your body, contact your local chiropractor for a consult.
A chiropractor can check the height of your poles and your walking posture to be sure that you are getting the most out of your workout.
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