ONE-PIECE NORDIC WALKING POLES DOMINATE Last December we tested one-piece/fixed length Nordic Walking (Ski Walking) poles in the Grand Canyon. Lots of other folks were using poles too. Our poles performed flawlessly on the descent and during the climb back out of the canyon. We heard mixed reviews however from individuals using twist-locking adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles.
My eldest daughter is a professional guide and she just updated us on her latest guide trip. She commented how the group's trekking poles came in handy and made the long hikes doable for several of her clients. She also commented that the twist-locks failed a couple times and caused some major concern, but luckily no injuries.
One-piece Nordic Walking poles custom fit to an individual's height have repeatedly proven to be safer, lighter and more durable than twist-locking poles in the city, in the country and in the mountains. One-piece poles don't have twist-lock systems that can fail.
Using the correct length poles is important! Perfect length poles help us to automatically walk with a super straight back - better walking posture is biomechanically a good thing. This improved walking posture when combined with the unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action of walking with poles radically reduces the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Nordic Walking is low impact and yet provides a highly effective workout - burning more calories and working more muscle groups than regular walking.
The American Nordic Walking System has developed effective Nordic Walking instructions to assist all ages and all fitness levels. For information about proper Nordic Walking technique and instruction check out WWW.SKIWALKING.COM
