I am in favor of using fitness walking poles to add a little upper body workout to your walk and burn more calories per mile with less stress on your body. Almost all fitness walking poles are metal poles. Brazos Walking Sticks has a new FitnessWalker design in wood. The handles are curved to allow the correct grip and push off. They have a cord tether for each hand.
These poles would best be used with the Exerstrider technique rather than the European nordic walking technique. The nordic walking technique requires a half glove or close-fitting strap so the walker can actually release the pole and have it snap back into their hand on the back stroke.
The Brazos FitnessWalker poles should also work well as trekking poles. Many people like the look and feel of wood walking poles.
While shopping, I found New Balance Walking Poles. These aluminum poles have adjustable length and a strap that should work for nordic walking as well as trekking or exerstriding. The pair was very inexpensive and might serve as an introductory set of poles for those who want to give walking poles a try. Compare Prices
Photo © Brazos Walking Sticks
Wendy – great job recognizing that any type of poles/walking sticks can be used for Nordic Walking. I prefer one-piece poles over 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles. Even though the true “Nordic” fingerless glove type Nordic Walking Straps are ideal, individuals can get a positive feel about Nordic Walking even if they are squeezing the poles/sticks. REAL Nordic Walking Poles equipped with real Nordic Walking Straps prove to be most effective – eliminating the need to squeeze the poles and/or get sweaty hands.
The wooden walking sticks in your article could be used utilizing the American Nordic Walking System – including all 3-Levels.
Even old ski poles are superior to cheap/flimsy 2-piece or 3-piece collapsible poles.
Real one-piece Nordic Walking Poles that are sized correctly prove to be safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap/flimsy collapsible poles.
Perfect length poles help us to automatically walk with a super straight back – better walking posture is biomechanically a good thing. This improved walking 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.