Martin Thornquist wrote:
[ ]

Seriously, why the "short ski poles?" I power hike (for exercise) with
long bamboo poles from which the baskets have disintegrated. My
downhill poles are as long as my XC poles (I do lots of traversing).
Why "skiwalk" with short poles?

As I understand it, the point of "Nordic Walking" is to use more
energy, not less. It's a training thing for people for whom walking is
hard enough exercise (as opposed to running etc.). I sometimes use
poles for hiking in rough terrain, but I never figured out how to use
them effectively on level ground -- I've probably been XC skiing too
much, I try to use them like I do on skis, and that just don't work
when walking.

Hiking with poles to help you with weight rather than get a workout is
where shorter poles come into their own, about the same length as a
"normal" downhill pole. No push backwards as in XC ski technique, just
leaning weight onto them to releive a bit of pressure on your knees and
legs.

Why you'd "Nordic walk" with short poles is a bit of a mystery to me though.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
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