Hi everyone. I posted a while back asking about walking poles.
I had sort of decided after reading the feedback that i wouldn't bother to get any, but hubby thought otherwise and bought me some for Christmas.
Anyway, I haven't used them much as either I or one of the kids has been sick since Christmas.
I have used them on the flat and once I got into a rhythm, it was amazing how much faster i could go- in fact i was walking with a much taller friend and she was almost jogging to keep up with me (I'm 5ft), when she walked with the poles I was jogging to keep up even though generally I can match her pace.
We ended up having a pole each which was still quicker than without.
I found it gave me quite a workout and I could feel it in my upper body and also the backs of my legs in a way that a similar walk without poles would not.
Apparently it burns similar calories to jogging wihtout the impact on knees etc (read an article in the waiting room of the doctors today!)

Here in Germany this type of walking is called Nordic walking and is becoming very popular -there are numerous books on the subject. Is it called something else in English?- I thought a book might be interesting, but unfortunately I can only find them written in German and my German is not really good enough for reading books just yet. :-(
Any one got an alternative name which I could search Amazon on or indeed a book recommendation?
Any thoughts/ comments would be welcomed.
Expat s

Is it called something else in English?- I thought a book might be interesting, but unfortunately I can only find them written in German and my German is not really good enough for reading books just yet. :-(

Nordic Walking seems to be a universal name for it:
http://www.nordicwalkingonline.com/

The site is American and prices in US$, but it seems you can get DVDs and books. There are even tips on techniques.

I wouldn't be surprised if there's an -ology to be had somewhere!
... A Stickology Degree?
... A Polology (shorry) Degree (A li'le bit shorry)?
... Dibberology, perhaps?

tBS

HI tbs.
Thanks, for some reason I didn't find this site when i googled- I came up with loads of German sites.
I'll have a good look at the site and try out the tips on there. I really haven't had an opportunity to try out the poles very much yet.
Looks like there are a few things which I need to change- I was holding the poles all the time etc!!!
I'm sure you are right- there is probably a degree in this or at least a module in an American degree nordic 101 or something. ;-)
Expat s

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/mag/misc/pole.html

Over here they are normally called trekking poles.

If you google on that you will find a lot of sites.

Cheers

Jackie

Hi Jackie.
Thanks- i'll google on trekking poles. I refined my search to only look for nordic walking in english and came up with a number of hits too.
Looks like I've got some reading to do! :-)
I think it is not as popular in the Uk as in Germany.
You heard it here first. ;-)
Maybe I should promote it in the UK;-)
Expat s