What are the sticks for Nordic walking and how to choose them correctly?

Sticks for Scandinavian walking are the most important attribute on which the effectiveness of the popular method of recovery depends. Scandinavian walking( northern, Finnish, Nordic) is a new kind of amateur sport, consisting of walking walks. A new kind of sport does not require special physical preparation and substantial material costs for equipment and inventory. Scandinavian walking is universal, because it is suitable for representatives of any gender, age and social status.

Regular outdoor activities will be of great benefit, strengthen the musculoskeletal system, normalize the functions of the cardiovascular and nervous system, help lose weight, return a positive attitude and joy of life. It would seem that nothing difficult in such walking is not present - take in hands old ski poles and leave on a path of health.

However, it is from the right choice of sports equipment that the final result will depend, therefore it is necessary to approach to his choice with all responsibility. How to choose a stick for Nordic walking, what material should they be made of and what parameters should be met? We will explain everything in detail in our article.

What should be a stick for Nordic walking?

To practice Nordic walking, it's good to choose the right walking accessories, taking into account all the individual features. An important role in the choice of equipment is played by the material from which it is made, the features of the design, configuration and other nuances. So, what should you first look for when selecting sticks?

Material. Sticks for Nordic walking today are made of the most modern materials. It can be a high-quality aluminum alloy, a special composite material( carbon) or a fiberglass alloy with carbon. The final cost of the product largely depends on this parameter.

The most expensive and high-quality material is considered carbon, and the more it is contained, the more expensive will be the sports accessory. Carbon is a kind of carbon fiber made from interlaced yarns of carbon fiber. Products made of polymeric carbon fiber reinforced plastic are distinguished by their high strength, but at the same time they are very light, elastic and flexible, which is important for the joints on which the main load is applied when walking. Carbon sticks are recommended to buy for problems with excess weight, since such attributes perfectly absorb vibration when walking on asphalt, hard ground and perfectly relieve unnecessary tension from the hands and shoulder girdle.

Fibers based on fiberglass with the addition of carbon are cheaper, but also valued for their ability to quench vibration. In addition, the rods from this material are light enough with a good margin of strength. The cheapest option is products from aluminum alloys. Such sticks are quite heavy, have low strength and low ability to extinguish vibration.

Construction. Sticks for Nordic walking are:

1. telescopic;
2. fixed( monolithic).

Each of the design features has its pluses and minuses, so among the fans of Scandinavian walking there is no common opinion about which type of pole is best suited for classes. It all depends on the preferences of a particular person.

Monolithic sticks have a fixed length. They are safe, light and comfortable to handle, will not break down and will not fold at the most inopportune moment. But when choosing a solid stick, it is very important to correctly calculate its length in accordance with the growth, because it can not be corrected. Therefore, coaches do not recommend them to beginners.

The advantage of telescopic poles is that they can be easily adjusted to the growth of any family member. These are sliding structures that are especially relevant for children, since they can be adjusted as their owner grows. The advantages of telescopic products include compactness( in the folded form they occupy very little space).They are convenient for taking on long journeys. In addition, such sticks are cheaper than monolithic.

Of the disadvantages of telescopic structures are called a low degree of reliability. If sand or water gets in the way, the locks can fail, and they often freeze in the winter and break when trying to fold or push the stick. If you opted for a telescopic stick, be sure to pay attention to the appearance of foreign sounds or vibration. This can signal that the latch is damaged, which means that the stick can develop at any time and cause an injury.

Complete

Nordic walking poles must be equipped with two variants of interchangeable tips. The metal tip is designed for walking on loose ground, earth, sand, rubber - for moving on a hard or asphalt surface.

In addition, there are special tips designed for walking on snow and training in the winter. Metal tips in everyday life are called thorns or claws, they are made of super-strong material - tungsten carbide. Of course, for walking on asphalt, they do not fit, so the kit must include removable rubber "boots", which provide cushioning and protect the spikes from abrasion.

Stick handle is made of non-slip materials, which are not afraid of any weather conditions and temperature changes. Most often they are made of special rubber or material, which in its characteristics is practically not different from the natural cork. In cheap models, plastic handles are used. The most optimal option is a rubberized handle - it is reliable, durable, does not absorb sweat and does not slip.

At the top of the handle is fastened a lambskin - a special cap-like fastening resembling a glove with cut fingers. Such gloves do not allow the hand to slip off the handle and ensure the safety of movement. In this one more difference of the accessory for the northern walk from the ski poles, the handles of which are equipped with an ordinary loop.

Reliable "Velcro" connections allow you to adjust the size of the knob on the arm and, if necessary, quickly get rid of the stick to answer the phone call or take a picture of a beautiful view in nature. Having determined these moments, we approach the choice of a suitable walking stick in accordance with the growth of a person.

How to pick up sticks for Nordic walking on growth?

The main and most important criterion, which you need to focus on when choosing a stick for Scandinavian walking is your growth. Choosing the right accessory with this option is the road to success. On the contrary, if the length of the stick does not match the individual characteristics, the load on the joints and spine will be distributed incorrectly and there will be no benefit from such walking.

What should be a Nordic walking stick? There is a simple formula, thanks to which you can quickly calculate the required length of the product. To do this, you must multiply your own growth in centimeters by a factor of 0.68.For example, with an increase of 160 cm, the length of the sticks is calculated as 160х0.68.The result - 108.8 should be rounded to round values, the result is a figure of 110. This is the optimal size of the sticks for your growth. To facilitate the choice will help a specially compiled table of the ratio of the growth of a person to the size of walking sticks:

Sticks for Nordic walking on growth - table

Height( m)	Size of poles( m)
1,50 - 1,55	1,00
1,56 - 1,60	1,05
1,61 - 1,65	1,10
1,66 - 1.70	1.15
1.71 - 1.75	1.15
1.76 - 1.80	1.20
1.81 - 1.85	1.25
1.86 -1.90	1.30
1.91 - 1.95	1.30
1.96 - 2.00	1.35

With this table, you can easily find the right equipment option. But here there are some peculiarities. For example, experts advise newcomers, the elderly or those with serious health problems to slightly change the calculation formula. This category of people is engaged in walking for health purposes, so in this case, the growth in centimeters should be multiplied by 0.66.Professional athletes or fully healthy, hardy people engaged in intensive training, growth should be multiplied by 0.7.

This indicator affects the level of load when walking. When the length of the stick increases, the intensity of physical activity increases. When calculating the length of the stick by a factor of 0.7, the angle of inclination in the elbow joint will be 90 °( if the athlete stands straight).For a weakened category of individuals and elderly people, this indicator should be less, and the sticks are slightly lower. In this case, the angle of inclination will be greater, and the person will feel much more comfortable and less tired.

The correct sticks for Nordic walking should correspond to growth. Remember that if they are too high, the walking technique will break and the body will not be able to lean forward. If the sticks are too short - it will provoke back pain, aggravate the pathological processes in the spine, and there will not be a healing effect from such exercises.

Do not rely on professional athletes, as the length that is optimal for them, often does not suit a person with a set of chronic diseases. Therefore, it is desirable at first to select equipment under the guidance of a coach or to choose your choice on telescopic sticks, the length of which can be adjusted to any height.

Popular manufacturers

An important factor in the choice of accessories for Nordic walking is the promotion of the brand and the company - the manufacturer. A wide range of attributes are offered by Norwegian, Italian, Finnish and Austrian manufacturers. Whose products are considered the most reliable and quality?

• The Finnish company EXEL is the most famous brand, because it is considered one of the founders of the International Federation of Finnish Walking. Sticks from this manufacturer are famous for their strength and durability. They are made of carbon fiber, characterized by elasticity, flexibility and safety. Accordingly, the price of quality products is quite high.
• The company Leki( Germany) is famous for the quality of its products. This brand offers a wide range of sticks for Nordic walking, including innovative modern models that take into account not only the growth of a person, the characteristics of the terrain for walking, but also individual movement techniques. In accordance with these parameters, the constructions are supplemented with removable tips and other details.
• KV + Adula( Italy) produces lightweight and sturdy walking poles with prongs and removable parts( rubber pads, snow discs, sand rings).A wide range of fixed and telescopic poles with different handles( cork, propylene, rubberized) allows you to choose the product for every taste and purse.

Price and where to buy sticks for Nordic walking?

You can buy sports equipment in specialized stores. A wide range of sticks for Nordic walking offers a network of shops "Sportmaster".Here you will be offered a wide variety of sports equipment from world famous manufacturers. Here are the average prices of sticks for Nordic walking in the "Sportmaster":

• Larsen Adventure sticks. Telescopic, three-section, aluminum material. Convenient handle made of polyurethane, ergonomic hand strap. Ability to adjust the height from 65 to 135 cm. Price with a discount of 1334 rubles;
• Sticks Larsen Extreme. This model is designed specifically for poorly trained people. Sticks are designed in such a way as to make it as easy as possible to get used to the loads. The shaft is made of light aluminum, the tip in the form of a foot is made of durable plastic. The sword hood tightly covers the hand and does not allow losing support even in an extreme situation. The price of the set is from 1950 rubles.

The choice of sticks in the "Sportmaster" is great, prices can vary in a wide range, ranging from 890 rubles( the simplest versions) to several thousand for more advanced models from famous sports brands.

In addition, walking poles can be ordered through online stores, the price for them varies from 1000 to 8000 rubles. At the same time, this choice is not the most successful. In order to choose the best variant of equipment, it is necessary to examine it in detail, to evaluate the quality of the material, to check the fasteners and to adjust the product according to the growth. Therefore, the best option is still the purchase of sports equipment in the store.

When inspecting the chosen model, pay attention to the material of the shaft, check it for strength and elasticity, evaluate the quality of the sliding mechanism( for telescopic poles).Choose a convenient pen - it should fit well in your hand. Do not buy sticks with plastic handles, they do not absorb moisture and in the process of walking quickly become slippery. Select a tight fitting, comfortable and lightweight.

Immediately find out if there are spare rubber tips and which removable parts are included. Be careful not to confuse the Nordic walking sticks with trekking sticks designed for movement on mountain slopes. It is best to make the first purchase under the guidance of a specialist or a trainer familiar with all the nuances of such equipment.

Reviews of Nordic Walking Sticks suggest that it is best to pick out equipment in well-known specialized stores selling high-quality goods. This will guarantee reliability and provide the necessary conditions for training. A new, democratic sport will help restore health, strengthen the musculoskeletal system and increase the endurance of the body.

Feedback on the application of

Review No.1

I am 57 years old, but I try to maintain a good physical shape, move more, more often be in the open air. Especially I liked Scandinavian walking with sticks. We have a remarkable group of pensioners with whom we make daily walks in the summer, especially for this we go out of town, into nature. Such walking is very useful for muscles and joints. In addition, training is very beneficial for the nervous system, gives energy and a good mood.

Anna Sergeyevna, Moscow

Review No.2

I learned about Scandinavian walking last year and immediately caught on with this idea. We have a dacha on the banks of the Volga, the nature there is wonderful. How not to take advantage of such an excellent opportunity. You can walk with good health, lose weight and strengthen the support apparatus, without exerting special efforts. No big expenses are needed, it is enough to choose comfortable shoes without heels, clothes for walking, buy special walking poles and you can start training.

Alina, Spb

Review №3

I with the help of the Scandinavian walk dropped 10 kg. Was engaged under the guidance of an experienced coach, he helped me to pick up excellent walking sticks, light and strong. This allowed to remove the load from the joints and use the muscles of the shoulders, arms, chest. At first it was difficult, after training all muscles ached, but then I got involved and now I'm doing it with pleasure.

Adeline, Samara

Review No.4

I was engaged in Nordic walking during the period when I was recovering from injury. It is a very useful activity, it stimulates well, returns strength, strengthens muscles, increases endurance. The costs of large is not required and everyone can engage, regardless of the level of physical training.

Vadim, Moscow