What does telescopic poles mean for Nordic walking. What should be the sticks for Nordic walking. Stick accessories, manufacturers and prices

So, the desire to engage appeared. It's time to purchase special equipment for. Many beginners are tempted to use existing ski or trekking poles. So what. They look almost the same to the untrained eye. Why spend extra money?

Why are special sticks needed?

It turns out that it is better to fork out and buy special ones. After all, ski, as a rule, metal, heavy, do not bend while walking. As a result, we get a large load on the hands and spine, besides, the vibration does not soften when walking. At the same time, special sticks for nordic walking lungs and vice versa are designed to unload the back and joints.

What to look for when choosing poles for Nordic walking?

Step 1. Monolithic or telescopic

Monolithic

Pros. Reliability, strength, durability. If you need sticks for constant use, and you know for sure that you will walk mainly on flat surfaces, it is better to opt for the first ones.
Flaws: More expensive, not always convenient to transport, suitable only for one person.

Telescopic

Pros: The height of the sticks can be constantly adjusted. They come in two or three sections. Suitable for walking on uneven surfaces, with the help of the height of the sticks, you can adjust the load, use them for different family members, choosing the length for each person according to their height. In addition, such sticks are convenient to transport in the car. And their cost, as a rule, is lower than monolithic ones.
Flaw: more chance of breakage

Step 2 Material

Carbon – great option for those who plan to engage seriously and for a long time. Carbon sticks are durable, beautiful (the paint on them is not erased). Strength and cost depend on the carbon content (from 20 to 100). They are light. 40% lighter than steel and 20% lighter than aluminium.
Aluminum. Inexpensive compared to other materials, but inconvenient to use, heavier than sticks from other materials.
Fiberglass. They can be suitable for beginners, in the absence of the need for long classes.

Step 3. The height of the sticks

Perhaps one of the most important points. Even the strongest and lightest stick can be useless if it doesn't fit. Incorrect selection is fraught with serious complications, muscle strain. If the stick is longer than necessary, then it will become impossible to lean forward a little while walking, the technique will be broken. Sticks that are too short will cause an increased load on the back.

On average, the length of the sticks is calculated using the standard formula: height x 0.68.

That is, if your height is 172 cm, then the length of the sticks should be 117-119 cm

For walkers over 60 years old with joint diseases, a coefficient of 0.66 can be used. (In this case, the load will be lower).
For those who play sports and want to increase the intensity of training, a coefficient of 0.70-0.72 is recommended.

When choosing a height Scandinavian sticks do not forget to take into account the height of the sole of the shoes in which you will train.

Height	Group "Health"	Group "Fitness"	Group "Sport"
150	110	110-115	110-120
160	115	115-120	115-125
170	120	120-125	120-130
175	125	125-130	125-135
180	130	130-135	130-140
190	135	135-140	135-145

Step 4. Lanyard-glove

Good does not squeeze the brush. The strap keeps the hand free, the walker does not need to squeeze the handle.

What not to save

It is clear that you do not want to overpay a beginner. On the one hand, you do not want to immediately buy Nordic walking poles, which are designed for experienced athletes, and on the other hand, you are reluctant to get into a mess if the selected poles quickly fail. The price of Nordic walking sticks in Belarusian online stores varies from 24.7 to 385 rubles. As usual, the golden ratio of price and quality is somewhere in the middle.

Healthy people.bel have collected some useful tips for you:

Pay attention to manufacturer. Still, the name means a lot to the company. Sticks from well-known Finnish and German companies usually differ good quality. What can not be said about small nameless, and even more so Chinese competitors.
The strength of the sticks depends on the percentage of carbon. No need to take those in which it is less than 20%.
Some cheap sticks have non-removable spikes. When they wear out, you will have to throw away the entire stick. See that the kit contains removable rubber tips.
Do not take sticks that have plastic parts (boots, handles). They will quickly fall into disrepair. Quality handle made from cork tree.
Follow warranty period. It must be at least 2 years old.

A beginner should definitely purchase special sticks for Nordic walking. Ski or trekking ones are too heavy, so instead of unloading, on the contrary, they can load the back. The most important parameter is the height of the sticks. Its selection should be taken as seriously as possible. A strong stick must contain at least 20% carbon.

The materials on the website are for informational purposes only and are intended for educational purposes. The information should not be used as medical advice. Diagnoses and prescribes treatment only your doctor. The editors of the site are not responsible for possible negative consequences resulting from the use of information posted on the site site.

Journalist. Two higher education- journalist and psychologist. Member of the Belarusian Union of Journalists. Laureate of the Belarusian Union of Journalists. Experience in the profession - 15 years. Work experience in the medical field - 12 years. Belarusian State University - 2002-2007 Specialty - print media. Belarusian State Pedagogical University M. Tanka - 2017-2019 - Diploma with honors. Specialty - psychologist. Jobs: Editorial office of the newspaper "Polesskaya Pravda" (Pinsk), correspondent; Since 2007 - editorial office of the newspaper "Medical Bulletin" (Minsk). Correspondent, curator of Minsk; Since 2017, she has been a correspondent for the Healthy People information portal, a correspondent for the Medical Bulletin newspaper. I am one of the compilers of the book "History of Health of the Republic of Belarus" (Minsk, 2009). I prepare both printed materials and video content. Since 2018, the organizer and author of the idea of contests for the site are "Scorching Doctor", "The Best Day", as well as "Stylish Season" on TeenAge.by. In 2019 - the winner of the "Golden Pen" award of the Belarusian Union of Journalists.

Choosing ski poles is easier than choosing skis or boots. But ski poles also have their own characteristics, which we will discuss in this article: what material, what length, which handles and lanyards are better to choose.

Selection of ski poles by material

Cross-country ski poles are made from several materials:

Aluminum. Aluminum ski poles are strong, cheap, but heavy. They have one big plus - they are almost impossible to break. Bent, straightened and moved on. Cons - weight and insufficient rigidity for sports riding. If you like to walk through the forest outside of prepared trails, then choose lightweight ones. aluminum sticks .
fiberglass(plastic and fiberglass) - light, cheap, but soft and fragile. Fiberglass is similar in softness and vibration to aluminum, but is much inferior in strength. fiberglass sticks will not withstand powerful repulsions, therefore they are only suitable for skiing on prepared tracks.
Carbon(carbon fiber) or a mixture thereof - carbon fiber(plastic and carbon). Carbon ski poles are rigid, light and strong. Carbon is easy to break only with a side impact on the stick. There are options in 100% carbon and a mixture of carbon with plastic or fiberglass. Buy poles with at least 60% carbon content. carbon sticks withstand powerful repulsions, so they are suitable for training and competition.

The price of carbon sticks starts from 2500 rubles. For example, carbon sticks Nordway Carbon or STC Avanti. These sticks have a good carbon shaft, but the handles and lanyards are of poor quality.

Better models of carbon sticks will cost from 6000 r, for example KV+ Viking or KV+ Tempesta– durable handles and lanyards, more than 70% carbon fiber, quick release system for straps.

The lightest and toughest racing carbon sticks cost from 10,000 rubles. For example, models KV+ Elite, Tornado, Bora or Swix Quantum, Team and Triac– 100% carbon High Quality, durable lanyards and handles, convenient lanyard release system.

Handles, lanyards and paws for ski poles

Source: www.flgr.ru

Table of selection of ski poles by height

Ski poles by height: FIS table for classic skiing

Play sports, move and travel! If you find an error or want to discuss the article - write in the comments. We are always happy to communicate. 🙂

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Surely walking in the park, you often met people different ages who walked like you, only they held poles in their hands, similar to ski poles. It is clear that they are not skiing, and people hold them in their hands for a reason - they go in for sports,. If you like to watch such "walkers" and you decide that this sport is clearly for you, we will tell you what to look for when choosing equipment.

Sticks for Nordic walking: types

There are two types of Nordic walking poles:

fixed length or monolithic;
sliding or telescopic.

However, even experienced athletes will not be able to unequivocally answer which type to give preference to, since both have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Monolithic sticks are characterized by the following:

they are light in weight;
there is no risk of injury;
last as long as possible;
you can walk on sand, wet road and even mud.

It doesn't matter if you're new to the sport or an experienced walker. Monolithic stick suits everyone. Beginners need not worry that the structure will inadvertently develop and lead to injury. And for those who have been doing such walking for a long time, it is important to know that a monolithic stick during training gives a constant load. The most important thing is to choose a stick for your height. We will talk about how to do it correctly, but a little lower.

Telescopic poles fold easily. A special anti-shock system is built into them - a shock-absorbing spring.

Sliding sticks are selected according to the following reasons:

length is easily adjustable;
they are easy to transport and take with you on any trip;
you can easily adjust the intensity of the load;
their cost is cheaper than that of monolithic ones.

Keep in mind that it is better not to use folding sticks too often. If water, dirt or sand gets into the latches several times, they can easily break. Also, the stick may begin to constantly make noise due to the appearance of excessive vibration. Therefore, if you practice daily, it is better not to buy such sticks. They are more suitable for those who train infrequently or, say, leave the city for the weekend to actively relax. In this case telescopic poles are ideal for transportation.

How to choose Scandinavian sticks: the main criteria

When you have decided on the type of sticks, you need to make sure that the rest of the parameters suit you perfectly. It is important that the sticks are not too high or heavy, soft and uncomfortable. To do this, you need to pay attention to the following criteria.

Accurate calculation formula optimal weight No. This setting is strictly personal. The main thing is that you should not feel heaviness when holding sticks in your hands. After all, if they are heavy, then the training will be unbearable and more harmful than useful.

Length

Almost the entire training depends on the length of the Scandinavian sticks. Too long sticks can give an excessive load, and too short - on the contrary, not give it at all. Fortunately, there is a calculation formula that will help you find the optimal stick height. To do this, you need to multiply your own height by 0.68, and round the result to an even number. Let's say your height is 167, multiply by 0.68 and get 113.6. So you need a stick about 115 centimeters long.

Elasticity

Scandinavian sticks should be resilient. This one is very important, because hard sticks vibrate, and this is bad for the joints. In addition, you can simply fall while walking if your sticks are not elastic. Make a few quick steps touching the end stop with the tip. If at the same time you did not feel any vibrations giving off to your hand, then you made the right choice.

Material

Aluminum. Scandinavian sticks are rarely made from this material. And it’s better not to buy made of it, because aluminum does not cope well with vibrations. This is not so important and noticeable if you are exercising in the snow, however, if you are exercising on paved terrain, there will be discomfort.
Carbon. Sticks made of this material are much stronger than aluminum ones. Plus, they will serve you for a long time, as they absorb vibrations well and weigh a little.
Fiberglass. Scandinavian sticks made of this material transmit the least vibrations and in the hands they are practically weightless. However, they are not very durable and often break.

Pen

Cork. This handle is considered one of the most comfortable. The material does not cause allergies.
Rubber. The material (a mixture of rubber and cork) provides a comfortable grip and fit, so the hand will not slip.
Plastic. Worst handle ever. Plastic is not able to absorb sweat, so the hand constantly slips, and the person experiences discomfort.

Lanyards

Many Scandinavian sticks come with lanyards. They can be in the form of half-gloves or peculiar traps. They are needed so that you can comfortably hold the sticks in your hands. Plus, lanyards take the strain off your wrists. But for this, they must fit tightly around the hands and hold the wrist without squeezing them. It is best to choose removable lanyards. Then you can easily drink water or take off your jacket, for example, without taking your hands out of the lanyards.

When choosing lanyards, it is also important to look at the girth of your palm. They should be about half the size. If the girth is 20 cm, then the lanyard should be approximately 9-10 cm. Also look at the material and fabric from which it is made. It should not be too hard so as not to rub your hand.

Tip

You need to choose a tip based on where you plan to train. A solid metal tip is considered universal. With it, you can train on any road.

Tungsten or carbide tips are suitable for loose soil, sandy or dirt roads. There are models of Scandinavian sticks with interchangeable tips. Therefore, they can be purchased separately.

Rubber or carbon tips are suitable for walking on hard asphalt, concrete, tile or cobbled roads.