Originally hill bounding and ski walking with poles was a summer staple for dedicated cross country skiers deprived of snow during the summer. Hill bounding and ski walking with poles have been a key component of the best ski coaches' training sessions for over half a century.
As a running coach and ski coach I've seen my athletes (runners and skiers) benefit from using Nordic Walking Poles. Even those athletes with occasional shin splints and/or runners knee hugely benefit from the stress reduction that the poles provide - radically reducing the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Plus the runners get to utilize their upper body muscles while Nordic Walking. If using the perfect length poles and correct technique can help runners eliminate shin and/or knee pain, guess what it can do for individuals with new knees, new hips, bad backs, Arthritis, Scoliosis, Osteoporosis, MS, Parkinson's, Post Polio, Fibromyalgia and other joint and/or balance issues.
The young man pictured above is my most dedicated Nordic Walker. The cross training has helped to keep him injury free and he won the Michigan AAU Cross Country Championships and qualified for the Junior Olympics in Decatur, Alabama.
When I ran marathons cross country skiing was my favorite cross trainer. And now Nordic Walking and Nordic Runner are doable despite my runner’s knee.
Given the demands that athletes put on their poles it is logical that one-piece poles are safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap twist-locking adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles. Seniors and individuals with balance issues should also use one-piece poles that won't collapse unexpected.
At The American Nordic Walking System and WWW.SKIWALKING.COM we carry all 12 standard fixed lengths of poles and can easily custom fit poles to fit any height. We just received 145cm and 150cm Nordic Walking Poles from Lillehammer, Norway to accommodate super tall individuals. Retailers of twist-locking poles claim to fit all heights (one-size fits all), but they don't and when extended to their tallest settings are extremely wobbly and unsteady.
Walking with poles is the best!
Happy Holidays!
2 comments:
Here are some welcomed comments from Terry D. Kennedy:
"Was just about to parallel my conversation with yo... Was just about to parallel my conversation with your article, on how effective Nordic Walking is for runners as part of an "athletes training periodization needs". My 1st comments will echo your success with Nordic Poles. My 2nd comment is looking for clarification :)
1st Comment -- Foot Solutions has had near to 50 elite Runners we sponsored from all over the World whom won and placed in the money. They utilized Nordic Poles, Chung Shi Shoes (and or another advanced training shoe), orthotic inserts which brought much success for each of them in their racing seasons.
My 2nd comment -- let me begin by saying I have seen a clear division from many professional and amateur Nordic Pole advocates. I am very familiar with product innovation, standards and modification as part of the growth cycle. As an athlete, coach and innovator for near to 40 years I would like to see more details not testimonies of clients and associates. To have an unbiased consumers report may be the next step. I am willing and will pursue the forum for its implementation if this will grow this Next Fitness Trend in the US the Walking Wave.
My questions to begin are looking for an ultimate positive outcome :)
Which Pole is Safe or Not Safe? And Why?
Who will use the Nordic Pole? And are the Athletes, Novice, or over 50 market, etc.?
What way will the Nordic Pole be used? For Training, Off Trail, Pavement, Therapy, etc.?
This is just some initial thoughts I would like to consider as a moving together process ultimately. The Blog world by its very nature is a forum that everyone will come for advice, and observe what others think. Which at the end of the day has a bearing on what they will do having read between the lines.
Lastly, Love your work by the way. I am from Michigan; skied in all forms in College, then took up Coaching College Swimming. Then, the next 30 years were in the competitive world of Duathlons & Triathlons and Sport Facility Management as a top finisher and coach. I say these things humbly as I am all about building alliances and motivation in many arenas that would create teams and results."
Thanks for this useful article.
I learnt a lot from this blog!
Excellent job :)
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