Benefits of Pole Walking
Pole Walking is a low-impact exercise that provides benefits for health, wellness and fitness for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Anyone can become a Pole Walker and instantly experience the benefits of poling. Pole Walking has been proven and validated through many scientific and clinical research studies to improve your health, physical activity and rehabilitation.
Pole Walking started in Finland in the early 1990s as a way for elite level cross-country skiers to train during the summer months. It was introduced as a low-impact form of exercise that involves walking with a pair of customized poles. The activity exploded across Europe in the 1990s and has grown to the point where today more than 20% of Finns and about 10-15 million Germans regularly pole walk.
For anyone who suffers from diabetes, who is overweight or has high blood pressure and has been encouraged by their physician to exercise, this may be the activity for you. The basis is simple; normal walking utilizes muscles in the lower half of the body, while pole walking adds the use of your upper body muscles; arms, upper back and shoulders. Pole Walking turns your walk into a whole-body activity.
Many clinical studies show the benefits of pole walking, especially among seniors. Poling contributes to faster weight loss, better cardiovascular health and better posture. Poling even helps people recovering from knee or hip surgery, to get moving again through the support from the poles.
The health benefits of pole walking are so convincing that hospitals and medical associations are actively encouraging its integration into health and wellness practice.
Some of the benefits of Nordic Pole Walking are:
* you use 90% use of body muscles (only 40% while walking without poles)
* you increase your cardiovascular workout
* you burn 46% more calories
* you reduce stress on your low back, hips and knees through the support of the poles
* better posture and balance
* perceived as less workout than the actual true physical exertion
* upper body activity using the poles improves upper body mobility
* upper body activity using the poles reduces upper back, neck and shoulder pain
* it is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels
