Walk the entire TMB, staying in comfortable accommodation, with bag transfer included. Take on the challenging yet rewarding self-guided, inn to inn Tour of the Matterhorn. Walk the spectacular landscapes of the Highlands on Scotland's most famous long-distance trail. Home Blog The benefits of walking poles. The benefits of walking poles Many walkers swear by them, while others swear they are a nuisance. Why use trekking poles?
Trekking poles can also: Protect knees, especially when walking down steep hills. Improve your power and endurance when walking uphill. Aid balance on uneven trails. Improve posture, making walkers more upright as they walk and in turn this can help breathing. Increase speed, especially going downhill. Provide extra stability. Reduce fatigue and improve endurance. Burn more calories by providing an upper body work out as well as a legs workout.
Strengthen muscles that support the spine. Build muscles in arms, shoulders and neck. Evidence of the benefit of poles My partner G is a walking pole user while I am not. Get the pole length right Most walking pole manufacturers offer guidelines as to the right length for your height. Why the walking pole wrist straps? What to look for when hiking sticks The price range of poles will suit all budgets.
Travelling with your walking poles If you plan to walk abroad or need to use public transport to get to a walk make sure the poles can be shortened or folded up while travelling. Share this:. Walking Via Alpina Zermatt. Get in touch by Email. Trekking poles are standard equipment for many experienced hikers — but do you really need them? The answer is maybe—there are a few conditions that I use hiking poles under and some I do not.
A trekking pole also known as a hiking pole is basically a ski pole with a handle that you use when hiking. Trekking poles are almost always used in pairs. There is also something called a hiking staff also known as a hiking stick that is a single pole.
Most hikers go with two trekking poles over a hiking staff. I think the pair just provides more benefits. I stopped my knee pain completely by simply shifting my weight.
Instead of heel striking, I now focus on stepping on my fore and mid-foot. Increased stability : The occasional stumble is part of any hike. Poles provide two additional points of contact with the ground and enhance stability. Poles also allow hikers to brace themselves on their poles to remain steady and upright, instead of falling after a stumble. These benefits are of interest to all hikers, but are of particular interest to older hikers, among whom knee pain is a common complaint.
But, despite clear enhancements to safety and enjoyment, hiking poles have their drawbacks. Many of them have hardened steel tips, which can scar rocks, increase erosion, and contribute to trail widening. Hikers should weigh these possible impacts against the very real benefits that poles offer in deciding whether or not poles are the right choice for them.
Consider rubber tips, which cover the sharpest part of the steel point and prevent them from scarring rocks, while still maintaining traction. Place poles carefully.
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