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I used to use some ski poles for mountain work. I also carried a shooting stick sometimes. Having the extra "help" makes all the difference when you have to pack a bear hide or game meat over tundra, mountains, etc.It was really nice today at 70 degrees. well, in the sun anyway. A bit nippier in the shade. BUT, my brussel sprouts are going hog wild, the 'maters have flowers popping up, the bell peppers are getting taller, the green onions are getting fat stems and the cauliflower is peeking thru the soil. Oh, and the strawberries have buds everywhere. Of course, I have them next to the wall in full sun all day so they are happy campers. I gotta weed eat the yard tomorrow...grass is 5 inches tall and I just weed eated it last week!
And...drumroll...I just ordered a pair of trekking sticks! When they get here, I am going to take a walk like I used to.....down the hill, around the block, UP the hill. It will be a good test to see what happens with my hips.
Trekking sticks huh. Interesting. That sounds like something that would benefit me too. Let us know how it works out for you.
I posted this last night in the Health Forum..so I cut and pasted it here:
Trekking Poles. I never heard of them. But I see this old couple bebopping along every day when I take the dogs for their run on the beach and me slowly trying to keep up with them. I'm all WTF are those things? Ski poles? So I go to google and what do I find? Trekking Poles!
Amazon.com BAFX Products - 2 Pack - Anti Shock Hiking Walking Trekking Trail Poles - 1 Pair Black Sports Outdoors
But I found a cheaper set here:
Pair 2 Trekking Walking Hiking Sticks Poles Alpenstock Anti Shock 65 135cm Black eBay
and this is what I found while hunting them down:
I have used the trekking poles. I noticed that my balance was a lot better. I have arthritis in my hip joint and walking usually makes me limp. The poles supported some of the weight so I walk more easily . I noticed that it had helped me with my gait that I am having such a tough time with. I would highly recommend the walking poles and get out there and enjoy the fresh air.
This is a testimonial to Nordic wWalking poles. I had never heard of them, but a friend, who is a physiotherapist in Canada, suggested them to me. She had used them to enable her to walk while recovering from a knee surgery. I had had an arthroscopy and was able to workout in a gym with a recumbent bike, but walking was painful and accompanied by a pronounced limp. The first time I used the poles was a revalation, although I had to work up to a 30-minute walk. I was able to accomplish this within a month, alternating days with my gym workout.
Specifically, I'm back to walking agressively, with much improved stability, and less stress on my knees. I've also had back surgery, and I've noticed that I'm walking with less jarring and the otherwise attendant back discomfort, which is an added benefit. Plus, it's a good workout and they're fun!
Whether you want poles for hiking, for exercise or for improving balance & mobility, learning how to use them and getting poles that fit you will help you achieve your goals.
As we age, we can lose or reduce spine function. Using poles for walking and hiking enables us to use our upper body muscles to help preserve our joints. Spine function can be restored.
This is done because, when we walk with poles, we appear to walk as we did when younger – with attitude. We are using muscles which support AND lengthen the spine. Walking with attitude – with purpose – is the natural walking pattern. It’s called reciprocal gait. It’s the diagonal pattern of opposite arm and leg. When this occurs, the spine is able to ROTATE. This spinal rotation feels good, looks good and is very healthy.
Gravity acts, the spine compresses, we get shorter. Using poles actually can reverse this process – the spine lengthens and elongates.
All of this assumes a natural arm swing. The arm swing is part of the spinal rotation and muscle recruitment.
Mayo Clinic:
Walking poles work your arms, shoulders, chest and upper back muscles through a functional range of motion as you walk — which can help you turn your daily walk into a full-body workout. This activity is sometimes called Nordic walking.
Most walking poles have rubber tips that grab the pavement and wrist straps that secure the poles to your arms. With one walking pole in each hand, you grip the handles and push off with each stride. Sturdier walking poles designed for hiking are known as hiking or trekking poles.
Consider the benefits of walking poles:
Walking poles in various fixed or adjustable lengths are available online and in many sporting goods stores.
- The arm movement associated with walking poles adds intensity to your aerobic workout, which helps you burn more calories.
- Walking poles improve balance and stability.
- Walking poles help you maintain proper posture, especially in the upper back, and may help to strengthen upper back muscles.
- Walking poles take some of the load off your lower back, hips and knees, which may be helpful if you have arthritis or back problems.
So...guess what I'm fixing to buy on ebay? Yup!
I remember that one...clicking thinkgin...what the hell are they talking about...then - WOW.Holy hell...I didn't see it until the third click and it scared the shit out of me.
A MAN DIVORCED HIS WIFE AFTER SEEING THIS PHOTO GagBuzzGagBuzz
I got an email yesterday asking me to post on USMB. Anybody else get one? Have I been that absent lately?
Yes, I did receive one but a few days ago.![]()
Actually my email was in the form of an advertisement from tapatalk, or something like that. USMB emailed me with this beckoning to download an app.I got an email yesterday asking me to post on USMB. Anybody else get one? Have I been that absent lately?
Yes, I did receive one but a few days ago.![]()
Hmmm.....
When it was in the original form said e-mails weren't necessary......
....Anyone figure out why?
Actually my email was in the form of an advertisement from tapatalk, or something like that. USMB emailed me with this beckoning to download an app.I got an email yesterday asking me to post on USMB. Anybody else get one? Have I been that absent lately?
Yes, I did receive one but a few days ago.![]()
Hmmm.....
When it was in the original form said e-mails weren't necessary......
....Anyone figure out why?
Hey AquaAthena! Catch up on what you may have missed on USMessageBoard.com
message was:
Tapatalk is the world's leading social app for online forums - helping people find, follow, and share their passions and hobbies. It is the one app you need to aggregate discussions from all the online forums you follow
Actually my email was in the form of an advertisement from tapatalk, or something like that. USMB emailed me with this beckoning to download an app.I got an email yesterday asking me to post on USMB. Anybody else get one? Have I been that absent lately?
Yes, I did receive one but a few days ago.![]()
Hmmm.....
When it was in the original form said e-mails weren't necessary......
....Anyone figure out why?
Hey AquaAthena! Catch up on what you may have missed on USMessageBoard.com
message was:
Tapatalk is the world's leading social app for online forums - helping people find, follow, and share their passions and hobbies. It is the one app you need to aggregate discussions from all the online forums you follow
I was hinting at how much better the old system was.....
Actually my email was in the form of an advertisement from tapatalk, or something like that. USMB emailed me with this beckoning to download an app.I got an email yesterday asking me to post on USMB. Anybody else get one? Have I been that absent lately?
Yes, I did receive one but a few days ago.![]()
Hmmm.....
When it was in the original form said e-mails weren't necessary......
....Anyone figure out why?
Hey AquaAthena! Catch up on what you may have missed on USMessageBoard.com
message was:
Tapatalk is the world's leading social app for online forums - helping people find, follow, and share their passions and hobbies. It is the one app you need to aggregate discussions from all the online forums you follow
Actually my email was in the form of an advertisement from tapatalk, or something like that. USMB emailed me with this beckoning to download an app.I got an email yesterday asking me to post on USMB. Anybody else get one? Have I been that absent lately?
Yes, I did receive one but a few days ago.![]()
Hmmm.....
When it was in the original form said e-mails weren't necessary......
....Anyone figure out why?
Hey AquaAthena! Catch up on what you may have missed on USMessageBoard.com
message was:
Tapatalk is the world's leading social app for online forums - helping people find, follow, and share their passions and hobbies. It is the one app you need to aggregate discussions from all the online forums you follow
I was hinting at how much better the old system was.....
Ha! no kidding! "Those were the days, my friend."