I am over 60 and like the stability of four legs. I have lupus and arthritis. When I use the walking poles I feel like I am flying. I don’t go on any walks without my poles, they’re like a part of me. I love my hiking poles for that.

Walking poles are also called Nordic Walking Poles, Trekking, Hiking, and Urban Poles. They all look like ski poles. Nordic Pole Walking started in Finland in the early 1990s. This was a way for cross-country skiers to train during the summer months. The activity exploded across Europe. Today in the 1990s more than 20% of Finns and about 10-15 million Germans pole walk.

Here are the amazing health reasons to add poles to your walk. Anyone can become a Nordic Pole Walker. Anyone can experience the benefits of poling.  Clinical studies show the vast benefits of pole walking. Nordic Walking is a terrific way to take your daily walk into the tree air to the next level.

1) Walking With Poles Burns 20-46% More Calories Than Without Poles

Hiking with poles feels easier even though you are burning more calories. When walking you use 40% of your muscles, with poles you use 90% of your body muscles. You increase your cardiovascular workout. And it is hard to tell you are doing this. Most people don’t notice.

This increased body activity means up to 46% higher calorie expenditure.

2) Add Poles For More Tree Air

Recruiting the shoulders and spine while walking brings muscles into your activity. When walking with poles you increase the amount of oxygen the your body uses. You may be breathing  in the health benefits of urban trees or the health in the forest.  Think of all the tree air goodness you are drawing into your body. Free anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, antivirals, and analgesics are in all tree air that you breathe. Trees are your natural pharmacy. Matilda van den Bosch, a scholar in Forestry and Medicine, in the Lancet says  that healthy trees and soil are necessary for healthy organ systems and the regulation of the immune system.  The failure of immune system regulation has consequences in the form of a wide range of inflammatory diseases such as lupus.

3) Add Poles To Improve Your Posture and Balance

When I started walking in the woods I wanted a stick to scare away stray dogs. No dogs so far, but I can’t tell you how many times my poles have saved me from going down. And now I find they are irreplaceable. I trip uphill, downhill, on flats, on rough, and on the smooth. Each time I catch myself with my poles. And I prod suspect footing beforehand. I need them.

On the uneven forest floor, hiking poles keep me balanced. Poles keep me upright. Good walking posture is easier with poles. I use the spiked end kind. The point digs in to the ground and propels me along. Not exactly forest bathing tempo, and it does feel more like a glide. My heart rate goes up and I breathe in more the tree aerosols. More tree air medicine goes straight to my lungs and bloodstream. I breathe in through my nose for four seconds and out for four seconds. It all works together. So to me, the poles keep my inner and outer body in balance.

4) Add Poles to Reduce Upper Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain

Pole walking adds the use of your upper body muscles, your arms, back, shoulders and neck. Pole walking turns your walk into a whole-body activity.

Poles recruit upper body muscles. This improves upper body mobility. This motility reduces upper back, neck and shoulder pains.

5) Add Poles To Reduce Stress on Lower Joints

Orthopeadic surgeons now perscribe pole walking for patients pre and post op. The support of poles reduces stress on hips and knees, ankles, and spine. Poles protect knees and hips. Poles strengthen muscles that support the spine.

6) Add Poles for Orthopedics, Cardiovascular, Chronic Disease, and Mental Health

The health benefits of pole walking are convincing. Physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, cardiac care organizations promote the use of walking poles.

Poling helps people recovering from knee or hip surgery. The support of the poles helps them to get moving again.

Many clinical studies show the vast benefits of pole walking, especially among seniors. Poling contributes to faster weight loss, better health and better posture. Older adults with chronic injury or chronic disease will get advantages from poling.

I adore my Urban Activator Poles.
When you click on the link here

• will not collapse on you (they have a secure locking system)
• will not feel stiff and jarring (they have anti-vibration features)
• will strengthen your core because of their unique handles with extended bottom lip that allows you to push deep into your core (no other brand has this).
• you will love!

The same group of physiotherapists and occupational therapists designed poles for people who need even more support. These are called Urban ACTIVATOR poles.

Check them out for balance, safety, and stability. These poles with special grips and foot pads are designed for rehabilitation. They are designed to help us all to stay healthy and take in the tree air.

7) Add Poles for a Fun, Free Skill That Will Keep You Closer to Trees

My pursuit is finding free and fun ways to get healthier by going outside to be closer to trees.

Hiking with poles is a simple skill.

Here’s how easy the technique is:

• the poles remain on the ground,
• poles stay behind feet,
• arms stay straight,
• move from the shoulder,
• forward and back.

Here are the walking poles that are are strong enough to lean on for support. They are lightweight. You can walk with them for a long time without tiring your arms. The poles collapse to a smaller size that’s easy to transport when not in use.

For adventure, walking, or hiking these are the urban hiking poles to get.

Go outside and breathe in what smells good. Breathe in the tree air natural anti-inflammatories, anti-virals, antibiotics.

Move that upper body with poles. Try them and let me know what you think. Take your daily walk to take in the tree air to the next level. Have fun.

I notice that my knees seldom hurt after a walk now.
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Thank you! Verla