Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The Best Nordic Walking Poles For Nordic Running

Nordic Walking is a great cross-trainer for runners. So is Nordic Running - running with poles. The best poles for runners are also the best poles for used for Nordic Walking - durable and user-friendly one-piece poles that are sized correctly and equipped with real Nordic Walking Straps (not the cheap strapless poles or loop strap poles or velcro sling equipped poles). Real Nordic Walking Straps can be found on SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles.

Nordic Walking Poles are especially helpful for runners with shin-splints or runner's knee. The poles radically reduce the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. I have been coaching runners and skiers for over 30 years and poles have played an important role in our training for track and cross country running - not just dry-land training for my skiers when deprived of snow. Poles are an excellent recovery tool for runners. Running or walking with poles provides a great workout, plus the wear and tear, stress and impact are minimized.

And of course only one-piece poles can handle the added stress of running with poles, ski walking and hill bounding. Cheap/flimsy twist-lock and flip-lock 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles just can't handle it - they rattle, vibrate and automatically shorten themselves or fail altogether. Always look for quality one-piece poles that are sized correctly to your height. Don't get scammed by cheap/flimsy collapsible poles.
Perfect length poles help us to automatically walk and run with a super straight back - better walking and running posture is biomechanically a good thing. This improved 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.

Quality one-piece Nordic Walking Poles in 16 different lengths can be found at WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System.

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