[lovinganimals]

I just bought Nordic skiwalking poles to work my arms while I walk outdoors. Does anyone use them and if so, any advice?

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by lovinganimals

I just bought Nordic skiwalking poles to work my arms while I walk outdoors. Does anyone use them and if so, any advice?

I purchased mine several years ago and the first morning out some idiot told me I was walking the wrong way, North was up there ........... I had a fit of embarrassment and did not use them again until a couple of months ago. I purchased mine from a personal trainer in the Village of Alhambra. He measured me for the correct fit etc. etc., and I am now using them every day. I did find a YouTube site which explained how they should be used and that was extremely helpful. I walk at the crack of dawn, sometimes when it is still dark, I do meet people who do a double take the first time they see me, but I have had people actually stop and ask where I bought them! I find they make me walk taller, hold my head up instead of stooping, they definitely work the upper back muscles and I'm hoping they are helping with the arm wings, but it might be too late for that! When you get to the point where you forget you are using them you will find you are moving much quicker than normal. Anyway, I like them and will continue to use them despite the odd remarks I get.

We were on a River Cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam and at every stop we saw both young and old using them!

[Chazz]

I've seen several people in TV using them, though I don't. Looks like a great way to enhance the workout that a regular walk provides. They are still rare enough to be viewed as unusual, so you might get some remarks from passersby. I wouldn't let that bother me. Get out there and enjoy your workout.

[TheVillageChicken]

Balance Walking Blog

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by lovinganimals

I just bought Nordic skiwalking poles to work my arms while I walk outdoors. Does anyone use them and if so, any advice?

Where did you buy your poles?

[kaydee]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

I purchased mine several years ago and the first morning out some idiot told me I was walking the wrong way, North was up there ........... I had a fit of embarrassment and did not use them again until a couple of months ago. I purchased mine from a personal trainer in the Village of Alhambra. He measured me for the correct fit etc. etc., and I am now using them every day. I did find a YouTube site which explained how they should be used and that was extremely helpful. I walk at the crack of dawn, sometimes when it is still dark, I do meet people who do a double take the first time they see me, but I have had people actually stop and ask where I bought them! I find they make me walk taller, hold my head up instead of stooping, they definitely work the upper back muscles and I'm hoping they are helping with the arm wings, but it might be too late for that! When you get to the point where you forget you are using them you will find you are moving much quicker than normal. Anyway, I like them and will continue to use them despite the odd remarks I get.

We were on a River Cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam and at every stop we saw both young and old using them!

Do you remember the guys name or number who lives in Alhambra?

[Barefoot]

They have a few different types on Amazon.com

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by kaydee

Do you remember the guys name or number who lives in Alhambra?

Yes, it's John Cayer, 205-3095, and he lives in the village of Alhambra. He is a private fitness trainer. Great guy, very quiet and laid back. Really knows his stuff. He will either have them, or can get them for you and will make sure they are the right length for you.

Since I wrote my first reply on this thread I have used them every day and really like them. I watched the videos on you tube and learned how to use them and now I fly along with them. I have since seen more people in TV using them, and unfortunately most people are using poles that are much too long for them. They have to be short enough that you don't stab them into the ground as you walk, it's rather difficult to explain without doing it. Get the correct length for you, watch the you tube videos for direction and get out and use them.

[kaydee]

Thank you so much for the info

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

I watched the videos on you tube and learned how to use them and now I fly along with them. I have since seen more people in TV using them, and unfortunately most people are using poles that are much too long for them. They have to be short enough that you don't stab them into the ground as you walk, it's rather difficult to explain without doing it. Get the correct length for you, watch the you tube videos for direction and get out and use them.

I've seen people using walking poles in The Villages, but I didn't know anything about them.
I just watched three Youtube videos on the use of walking poles.
Two videos explained how to use the poles one way, and the third video said totally the opposite.
Perhaps it's just a matter of what feels right to an individual.

All three videos said that the poles should be adjustable .. that the pole should be shorter going up hill and longer going down hill.
I guess in The Villages there aren't a lot of hills so perhaps it's fine to always have them at one level.
It's not like hiking in the mountains.
The videos also said the poles should be spring loaded so they are easier on the wrists.

The thought of "flying along" when walking appeals to me.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I've seen people using walking poles in The Villages, but I didn't know anything about them.
I just watched three Youtube videos on the use of walking poles.
Two videos explained how to use the poles one way, and the third video said totally the opposite.
Perhaps it's just a matter of what feels right to an individual.

All three videos said that the poles should be adjustable .. that the pole should be shorter going up hill and longer going down hill.
I guess in The Villages there aren't a lot of hills so perhaps it's fine to always have them at one level.
It's not like hiking in the mountains.
The videos also said the poles should be spring loaded so they are easier on the wrists.

The thought of "flying along" when walking appeals to me.

My suggestion is you talk to someone who is an expert in fitness, let them explain the difference in poles to you and try several to see how they feel. Mine are not adjustable because I just walk here in TV and the inclines are not enough to warrant a longer pole going down. Just yesterday I saw two men using them, they are catching on.

I met someone on our last cruise who had the adjustable poles (and he used them on the ship) he told us he uses them for balance, I guess he had difficulty keeping his balance and the poles were a great help to him.

[Madelaine Amee]

I have just come in from my morning walk and found these really good explanatory websites which give more information on fitness walking with poles. Nordic Walking with Fitness Walking Poles and this one is very good also: Youtube walking poles - Ask.com YouTube Search. This second one is has a really good explanation of pole walking, but I could not separate it out from the search engine I was using, so scroll down until you see the video. There are a lot more videos available on pole walking, but these cover the basics.

If you have ever cross country skied this action will come naturally to you.

[lovinganimals]

I got mine from nordicskiwalking.com
You tell them your height and they send the correct poles. Plus they have wrist straps that let you push with your palm instead of gripping the poles tight. This helps work the arms as you push with your palms. They said the adjustable ones are not good because they can collapse as you walk and you can hurt yourself.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

Since I wrote my first reply on this thread I have used them every day and really like them.
I watched the videos on you tube and learned how to use them and now I fly along with them.

I just bought poles today. Now I'll be flying along too. Zoom Zoom.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

Yes, it's John Cayer, 205-3095, and he lives in the village of Alhambra. He is a private fitness trainer. Great guy, very quiet and laid back. Really knows his stuff. He will either have them, or can get them for you and will make sure they are the right length for you.

John's telephone number is 352-259-3059.
I just called him to order walking poles for use in The Villages.