01-13-21 07:10 PM - Post#906724    

Along the lines of recent discussions of heavy hands, panaerobics etc. I got to thinking of Nordic walking, which tries to mimic some of the upper body effects of XC skiing without snow or skis. So, a little more active arm drive than casually flicking trekking poles along the way.

I’ve never hiked with them, as they became popular here in the US after I was done backpacking. Ultr runners like them too, and some races require them. A bit awkward so far, like heavy hands, since my muscle memory of poles in my hands is skiing related, where your stride has some glide. Found a way to attack the dogs to my ruck and we didn’t get too tangled.

Anybody try something like this as regular training?

01-13-21 09:34 PM - Post#906727    

I've used it. The trick is to plant and push with the pole, I found it a little more natural on rougher terrain versus something like a rail trail.

01-14-21 08:08 AM - Post#906742    

I use poles on a few of my steeper runs and for most of my hiking. Definitely a full body workout some days.

One trail in particular I will simply swing the poles without touching the ground as I'm running the non-technical sections. Grab the pole in the middle to balance it better. Almost like doing a thousand curls a mile with a one pound weight.

01-14-21 08:40 AM - Post#906745    

Dont get me started on this topic! There are a lot of elders here in Sweden who (power)walks like that! ;)

01-14-21 09:18 AM - Post#906746    

There is a recent article in Outside that says this does burn more calories. I don't know if that is good or bad for the task, but I see them more and more.

Daniel John Just handing down what I was handed down... Make a Difference. Live. Love. Laugh. Balance work, rest, play and pray (enjoy beauty and solitude) Sleep soundly. Drink Water. Eat veggies and protein. Walk. Wear your seat belt. Don’t smoke. Floss your teeth. Put weights overhead. Pick weights off the floor. Carry weights. Reread great books. Say thank you

Nordic Walking?
01-14-21 10:41 AM - Post#906752    

I used pole walking for years though Tom Rutlin's Exerstrider version, which to me, has much more comfortable hand grips.

https://www.exerstrider.com

Definitely works many muscles and you can adjust how hard you drive with poles vs how hard w/ legs. Takes coordination but you can even use them running. Often wore fairly heavy weight jacket with them and also used strap on wrist weights.

Biggest benefit I noticed was a truly dramatic improvement in my surfboard paddling, both speed and endurance.

Edited by GeoffreyLevens on 01-14-21 10:41 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

01-14-21 10:44 AM - Post#906753    

Semi-related: After getting my ass (read: lungs) handed to me on a short backcountry ski tour, I bought an old Nordictrack ski machine on Craigslist for a song. Taking a very MAF/zone 2 approach to it. Curious to see where it goes, but after a couple of sessions, I find I do enjoy that old "sweaty but not tired anywhere in particular" feeling. Great for sleep, too.

01-14-21 01:17 PM - Post#906761    

When I first went to Europe I saw every hiker in the Alps using poles, but at the time not so much here. I know XC and skimo racers have long used poles during dry land training. The Uphill Athlete has some hill bounding resources. Even Alpine racers have been known to dry land “run gates” with poles to help with rhythm and timing.

They always seemed awkward and fussy looking to me, though I get it for technical terrain. But playing around with heavy hands I feel the resistance as my hands go up, but not back. With poles, it’s the opposite, so should be a good complement. It’s part of my hare brained scheme to get better at MTB without actually riding a bike.. GPP with hopefully good carryover to get me through the pandemic and the nasty weather.

01-14-21 02:45 PM - Post#906766    

I have climbed quite a few mountains in my time. Carrying a pack loaded with climbing gear - poles are a big help - even on trails. Just walking around town or on the level I see no advantage but uphill walking can benefit from them if you're pushing very hard.

01-14-21 10:37 PM - Post#906775    

Back when I was into Alpine skiing I was always surprised at the soreness I’d get in my upper body just from skating around on the flats. The paddling connection Geoffrey mentioned is interesting too as it feels very similar.

01-15-21 03:12 AM - Post#906779    

If you want to ski, ski. If you want to walk, walk.

I can't decide whether the walking seminars are more or less ridiculous than the breathing seminars.

Athletic Club East Strength in numbers

01-15-21 07:41 AM - Post#906780    

I'm annoyed at you guys ) I have a bunch of trekking poles, however i went down the nordic walking rabbit hole and the sites all say you need Nordic walking poles which are different than trekking poles as the technique is different and requires different handles, etc. ...i had no idea...now i have to buy them

01-15-21 09:42 AM - Post#906787    

• Kyle Aaron Said:

What if you want to Nordic Walk?

01-15-21 10:22 AM - Post#906788    

• Justin Jordan Said:

YNDTP.

"I think we often spend too much time focusing on max fitness and not nearly enough on maintaining our minimums. It seems we need to think sustainable rather than obtainable. Meaning whatever we do today, we can do it again tomorrow. Never taking so much from ourselves that we can't." Dan Martin

01-15-21 10:58 AM - Post#906791    

• padddleperson Said:

Naw! Just get a pair of used Xcountry poles at a ski swap or similar venue. You can get tips and handles from a number of sources and just stick them on (may need some electrical tape to fill in gap and make them fit tight. I got my hand grips from the Exerstrider folks and also their "boot" shaped tips. Put them on poles I got for $3 and shortened a bit for my stature (hacksaw for the hack)

01-15-21 11:47 AM - Post#906792    

• padddleperson Said:

I’ve only taken the quickest look at specific advice. I wanted to experiment a bit first on my own, before I find out what I’m doing “wrong.” I got a pair of trekking poles for $20 on Amazon from a company whose expensive carbon poles are highly rated. Alloy suits me just fine. Plus, I think adjustability is key. I think I need to go a little shorter since the road I train on is pretty steep. In any case, unlike heavy hands, if I decide Nordic walking is lame, I can always just keep them around for hiking.

I suspect that a winter of rowing, heavy hands, and Nordic walking as “conditioning” alongside my strength training will pay off bilgly in spring when I get back to riding. In the meantime, it helps to have a little variety.