The Benefits of Walking Poles

Are you looking for a way to spice up your walking routine? If youve been walking for awhile, you may not be getting the same benefits you were when you first started out. Over time your body adapts and becomes more efficient - so your workout is less challenging. If you always walk at the same pace you may stop seeing results. One way to make walking more effective is to use walking poles. Using poles for walking helps to bump up the intensity of your workout so youll get more benefits - and more results.

Start Walking Harder with Less Effort with Walking Poles

Walking with poles burns more calories. A study carried out at the Cooper Institute in Texas in 2001 showed that using poles for walking boosted calorie burn by twenty percent - without significantly increasing the perceived effort. Most people would like to burn a more calories without feeling like theyre working harder - and walking poles can help with that.

Other Benefits of Walking Poles

Walking with poles has another benefit. It gives the upper body a workout including the chest, upper, back, shoulders, and arms, while youre still working your lower body by walking. If you sit hunched over at a desk all day, using walking poles helps to stretch out the upper back and neck muscles that tighten up after a long day hunched over in front of a computer screen.Walking with poles turns a walking workout into a total body experience.

How to Get Started Walking with Poles

Walking poles come in a variety of weights, materials, lengths, and grips - and its important to choose a pole thats right for you. Its best, especially if youre a beginner, to choose poles that are lightweight with a comfortable grip. Buy them from a local sporting goods store rather than online so you have a chance to try out different poles and make sure they feel right. Its important to use good form when walking with poles to get the most benefits. Consider getting a DVD that illustrates the proper technique before heading out to show off your new sticks.

The Benefits of Pole Walking: The Bottom Line?

Walking with poles will add a whole new dimension to your walking routine - and burn calories at the same time. Why not give it a try?

References:

Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001 Jan;33(1):142-7.