I am just back from visiting my relatives in Europe. While walking in the park, I noticed people who were walking with two short poles, in a style similar to cross country skiing and the gym machines that simulate it. I was told that it is "Nordic Walking" and that it increases the workout level of walking, burns more calories and adds upper body work out. Wikipedia has some similar information. Apparently it has been grown in popularity for the past several years. It is called "Nordic Walking."

My relatives set up a 1 hour introductory lesson for me, and I am interested in giving it a try as I want to increase the intensity of my walks, but the knees won't stand the impact of jogging, or carrying weights.

Does anyone have any experience with, knowledge of, or advice they can pass on? Here in the US, (Maryland, near Annapolis) there does not seem to be any local organizations that I can turn to.

Any information or advice is appreciated.

Most important is that the poles are of right length. Rule of thumb: your own length minus 50cm or 19.6 inches. For example: I´m 169cm. I have poles that are 115cm.

Movement of arms should be just as if you don´t have poles, that is, like when walking normally.

Poles must allways point backwards. Point of the pole should hit the ground no further ahead than beside the ankle of the forward foot. If the point of pole hit the ground infront of the foot there will be no fluid movement. That is a common mistake to swing the poles in front of the forward foot.

Walking speed with poles will automatically be abit faster than walking without poles. That is because one must put some pressure on the pole, just like in skiing crosscountry.

That´s all I can say with my experiance.

Nordic walking is not hard. If you can walk, you can Nordic Walk. (my own invented slogan )

I am at the stage in life where my knees are giving me problems, and I no longer run, or do marathons, so I need to find something that keeps me in shape. Over the last several years I have turned more to cycling, either on the road or on a stationary machine.

Many backpackers have "Nordic walked", for years, using two poles (adjustables are the best bet), but frankly my experience is that it doesn't really do that much to help the knees -there is still a lot of pounding. I am skeptical about the alleged benefits, compared to jsut getting out and putting one foot in front of the other.

Swimming is the ultimate for non weight bering aerobic exercise, but it just doesn't appeal to me.

For many years I kept myself fit by Power Walking (i.e. Walking fast, erect torso, arms about horizontal but bent ~90%, pump arms forward til elbow parallel to side of chest, all while taking fast but short steps, wearing 1.5 to 3lb.s wrist weights). In pole or Nordic walking you substitute poles or wooden walking sticks for the weights. It worked very well to provide a great aerobic workout and a moderate core & upper body exercise.

Google "Nordic (or pole) walking instructional". You will find several instructional videos, articles, & blogs, etc. I'd suggest purchasing the Leki spring cushioned poles with the bent hand holds. Not cheap, but they help with posture due to the grip angle and the shock absorbing quality of the springs lessens the upper body soreness caused by striking the ground when "planting" the pole. If you want purpose built wood poles, try the Brasos Walking Stick site.

Don't pay any attention to those who will give you strange looks or sniggering comments. An equal number of folks will be fascinated and will ask you to explain your methods, especially if you frequent the same routes. Enjoy.

I prefer Prancercise, a rhythmic way of moving forward similar to the gait of a horse. You don't need sticks, just a bit of courage. There is always a crowd taking videos of you and putting them on Youtube, so you don't even need to record yourself to share with friends and family!

A friend uses weighted poles (filled with sand) while on long backpacking trips to keep his arms in shape for surfing.

Checked out the Brazos site - fascinating - but their stuff is rather expensive. I have been using a walking stick of one sort or another when backpacking, etc. for years. I have used everything from a replacement shovel handle (cheap) to collapsible aluminum poles (convenient and versatile) to slightly modified poles found in trail side brush piles (ultimate in cheap). They all worked well.

I am inclined to remove the springs from my aluminum poles, however. Just useless weight and quite unnecessary.

A Google search revealed the poles are quite similar to cross country skiing poles, and some people in fact use cross country skiing poles. You might try connecting with a cross country skiing group. They're probably familiar with Nordic walking. Another Google search revealed that there is a cross country skiing community in Maryland.

Go Nordic walking in the summer, and go cross country skiing in the winter!

Locals here, take the bails off their ski-poles...unless they are ignorant...the REALLY ignorant ones, still have on their skis...

I just saw some "trekking" poles at Costco warehouse for $30. They were height adjustable and looked high quality. I almost bought some, and I'm not even into this.

I don't do "Nordic Walking" exactly. However, I do like to use a single trekking pole when I hike. Many of our local hikes are on steep and rough trails. (Indeed, calling some of them "trails" is stretching it!) I find by using one pole it is easier to maintain balance. On rough ground you expend a lot of energy just keeping and/or recovering balance, especially when coming down. A pole is also handy for balance when stepping from rock to rock to cross a stream.

I seem to get most of the benefit from one pole, and that keeps my other hand free. I like the adjustable poles, since I can change the length to suit the terrain, and when on flat easy ground I can collapse the pole and attach it to my pack. I personally don't see any benefit in the shock absorber models.

I find by using a pole, at the end of the hike I am less fatigued and my aging knees feel better.

I am also a single pole user, and I find one increasingly useful as me and my knees age. I like my adjustable pole for tricky balance situations and also for rattlesnake situations, especially for thick brush. I extend the pole to full length and let it take the point, as I slow down so that the pole can strike up an acquaintance with Mr. Snake....

Why doesn't someone do a poll on pole use?

Ditto for using a single pole when hiking for all the reasons mentioned.

An update;

I got these poles:

http://casualadventuresgoa.mwrc.net/en/product.php?product_id=55915 (no affiliation),
and have given them a try---seems like they are exactly what I want/need.

I also (finally) found a "local" (if 40+ miles away is local) source for some follow-up training to my 1 hour introduction.

Nordic walking looks simple, but that is not the same as easy (you need to get the form right), at least for me. But when I do it right, I feel a real pick up in speed and the cardio work out ramps up, without the pounding of jogging (my knees say thank you). Exactly what I want and need; my Doctor is of the opinion that starting my heart beating at least once a day is good for my health.

Ditto+ for all the same reasons mentioned!

My wife and I took about a 3 mile, hilly, 45 min., Power Walk this afternoon. The weather was almost perfect, albeit a little too warm. I carried one of my several, short (~34"), crookneck hickory walking sticks, It helps with my gamey knees & back, especially on the steep up and downhill portions. There is definitely a bit of a Victorian feel to perambulating with a walking stick. But, I've reached an age where it blends nicely with my white beard and dark hair.

I usually walk with one old-fashioned, hiking staff--good for balance on loose stone, and for fending off dogs.
I think one stick forces a person to walk slower, the side benefit of which is that the person takes in more of the view, etc...