Walking sticks are not just for the elderly or people suffering from some form of injury or disability. While hiking on a trail, or just walking around your neighborhood block, walking sticks or poles intensify your aerobic workout because you are moving your upper body in conjunction with your lower body. There are other benefits to be derived from walking sticks, such as the enhancement of good posture and balance.
Significance
Doctors will tell you that physical activity of all types is good for overall health. However, if your primary mode of exercise is hiking or taking a brisk walk, walking sticks can alleviate some of the impact that your knees and back absorb. Normally, when you walk, you are pushing off from your feet. A walking stick can help with your push-off by engaging your arms. This increases the speed and rate of a good aerobic walk.
Benefits
Bones become more brittle as we age, often leading people to cut back on their outdoor activities because they do not want to risk falling. A walking stick can add a sense of security and stability to your walk because you can lean on it if you suddenly feel unsteady. A walking stick can also help you navigate around wet surfaces if you choose one that has a carbide tip rather than a rubber tip. Carbide tips are sharp, hard and have the ability to dig into any surface, including ice. A walking stick equipped with a carbide tip will give you the confidence to venture outside for exercise during winter months without fear of slipping.
Types
There are a variety of walking sticks to choose from, depending on whether you are looking for light or heavy balance support. Walking sticks are not just made of wood—actually, walking sticks are considered very high-tech sporting equipment. They can be made from aluminum with steel points for use in snow and ice; they can be made of carbon fiber with hand straps; they can be anodized aluminum, which basically means an aluminum that is harder and stronger. These “high-tech” walking sticks also fold down into two or three sections and can be stored in a backpack, making them convenient during times when you may not need them. Scrabbling over boulder fields to summit a peak would be a good time to fold up the walking sticks.
Considerations
To ensure that you obtain the correct walking stick for your height and weight, it’s best to talk with a knowledgeable sales representative in an outdoor recreation store. A simple rule is that when you are using a walking stick, your elbow should be slightly bent. This brings up another consideration: Should you use one or two walking sticks? The answer is pretty easy: Do what feels right to you. If you’re an avid backcountry hiker, two walking sticks can certainly be better than one if you unexpectedly encounter a bear or other creature.
Warnings
If you are suffering from an injury or have arthritis or some other form of health challenge that involves balance, you may want to consider a walking stick with a handle. There are numerous handle types and each provides different aspects of safety for you. The most widely used are the t-handles and crook handles. When purchasing a walking stick for regular support, make sure that you examine the handle’s grip mechanism. Ask your primary care physician to help you decide which type is best for you.
Effects
Whatever your ultimate goal is involving mobility, a walking stick is a good apparatus to add to your personal supply of outdoor activity-related equipment. It amplifies your aerobic workout and protects your joints for years from the stress of walking at the energetic pace that health care practitioners encourage. You are never too young to start exploring the world of walking sticks.
Member Comments