Walking with poles Techniques of nordic walking www.nordicwalkers.ie

Walking with poles

Nordic walking Technique

I am indebted to About.com for the following article written by Wendy Bumgardner on “How to walk with poles”

The technique is a simple enhancement of normal arm swing when walking. The poles remain behind and pointing diagonally backwards at all times.
• Shoulders are relaxed and down.
• Poles are held close to the body.
• The hands are opened slightly to allow the poles to swing forward the poles are not gripped but swing from the wrist straps.
• The leading foot strikes the ground.
• The opposite arm swings forward to waist height.
• The opposite pole strikes the ground level with the heel of the opposite foot.
• The poles remain pointing diagonally backwards, they are never in front of the body.

• Push the pole as far back as possible, the arm straightening to form a continuous line with the fully extended arm, the hand opening off the grip by the end of the arm swing.
• The foot rolls through the step to push off with the toe. This lengthens the stride behind the body, getting the most out of each stride.
• The arm motion is loose and relaxed.

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Keeping the arms relaxed and keeping the poles behind the body are key elements in the proper technique. I found that my previous experience with poles used the wrong techniques, planting the poles in front of the body and bending the elbow too much. StepbyStep Photos of Nordic Walking Technique

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