Nordic Walking Poles – Finding the Right Length
Nordic Walking Poles that are long for your height will thrust your body to your heels. Shorter poles, on the other hand, will force your body to bend forward, putting stress to your lower back. With these two extremes come discomfort and difficulty. Therefore, it is important that you have a length pole ideal for you. This will straighten your back and enhance your posture, among other benefits of Nordic Walking.
Height is one of the factors to take into account in finding the right pole length. To know what length suits you, multiply your height in centimeters by 0.68. Since poles come in 5 cm increments, round off the product to the nearest 5 cm.
Check if the length best suits you by standing up and strapping in the demi-gloves. Your elbows should be at a relaxed 90 degrees angle when you grip the poles with the tips touching the ground. In most cases, Nordic Walking Poles are shorter than those used in Cross-country Skiing. With a correct pole length, you can sway your poles behind your body with ease.
Aside from height, there are other considerations when choosing the length of the pole. These include walking speed, terrain, limb proportion, joint mobility, and level of experience.
Having the correct pole length will spare you from back pain, bad posture, and extreme discomfort. Needless to say, having short or long walking poles will spoil your Nordic Walking experience and might deprive you of the benefits of the activity. Therefore, choose the correct pole length and have a hassle-free walk each time you head out.
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