Fitness Poles
Selecting Quality Poles
Walking with fitness poles can be enjoyed by anyone at any level of fitness. There are a variety of poles available to fit any form and level of walking or hiking.
When selecting a quality pole you want to be sure of a couple of things.
Your Purpose:
Select a pole that fits your purpose. Are you walking just for fitness and sticking to paved surfaces? Will you be hiking with your poles too? Are you going on a long hiking trip in the mountains? Do you need to pack your poles if some of your journey is by boat, horseback, bike, motorcycle? Will you be walking in sand or snow?
There are a variety of poles designs for a variety of purposes. You have solid shaft poles, two – section telecoping poles – three section telescoping poles. Choose a quality pole that will serve you best.
Height:
If the poles you are considering do not telescope, be sure they are at the right height for you. Telescoping poles can be adjusted to the exact height needed. When holding the pole out in front of you with the pole tip on the ground and your hand holding the grip, your upper arm against your body – your forearm should be level to the floor. For new walkers – you can adjust the pole down an inch or so. For advanced walkers – you can adjust the pole up an inch or so.
Pole Shaft Vibration:
Be sure there is no virbration in the shaft. Cheap poles will vibrate when thumped on the floor. Miles and miles of vibration in your hand and arm is not good for your joints, nerves, ligaments, etc. Test the poles by holding them as you would for walking and bounce them against the floor. If you feel vibration, try another style.
Quality Materials:
A fairly light pole is a good thing, but if the pole is made out of cheap material it will break easy and have a lot of vibration. If you plan on using your poles for many miles – a pole made with quality materials is worth every penny.
No Slip: (for adjustable poles)
When purchasing an adjustable pole, cheap poles have a big tendancy not to lock tightly or to loosen as you walk. Pretty soon your poles will have slipped down and you end up walking with uneven, short poles. You will have to take many stops to re-tighten. No fun!
Good Comfy Grip
Grasp the handles of the poles you are considering and think of holding them for 3o minutes or more. Will they be comfortable? Many poles come with straps but the grip is important too although you will push through your straps more than holding to the pole. Exerstrider Poles do not have straps but have a wonderful ergonomic grip which is very comfortable for hours of walking.
Straps:
If you are choosing poles with straps, be sure that the strap holds your hand right next to the pole. When strapped in, hold your hand up and let the pole dangle from the strap. The shaft of the pole should be right next to your hand. If there is more than an inch of play adjust the pole straps or try another style.
Pole Tips
If you plan to do a lot of hiking and nature trails – be sure the metal tips of the poles are made of a strong steel. Cheap tips will wear off quickly. Tungeston steel tips are the best.
Rubber Tips/Boots/Paws
Rubber ends for your poles are for walking on paved or packed surfaces. Whatever you call them – the rubber boots on the poles need to be made of a firm, strong rubber. Too soft- you will bounce and they will wear out quickly. Pretty soon the metal tip will wear through and you will have the irritating sound of metal meeting pavement as you walk. Cheap poles have silly plastic tips that will wear through after a few miles. Remember too – you need a source to replace those rubber tips/boots/paws!
Attachments:
Don’t spend extra for stupid gadgets on poles – like a compass or light. Totally silly! The only worthy attachments would be sand or snow baskets that attach to the end of your poles for walking on the beach or in the snow. These keep your poles from sinking too deep into the surface and sticking.
I would be happy to meet with you personally or discuss your fitness goals via phone or e-mail to be sure you get the right poles for your needs!
E-mail or call: glo@myhealthystrides.com / 770-639-6121