As we celebrate Labor Day it got us thinking about walking and whether it can sometimes be considered a labor. Walking, for most people, is a routine activity and not usually categorized as labor unless it's part of a job or involves significant effort (like hiking long distances).
However, if someone is walking under strenuous conditions like horrendous weather or for an extended period, it could feel like laborious work. That said, for some people walking can be a labor because of a physical condition like arthritis, an injury or a chronic condition like Parkinson’s or MS. It is for those folks that we stress the advantages that walking poles can provide.
Walking poles help provide balance and stability while engaging the body’s core, both of which can greatly take pressure off of joints and parts of the body that might be under stress while walking. Other advantages include promoting joint flexibility and muscle movement, thereby reducing stiffness and improving overall mobility. Taken together, pole walking can help take the labor out of otherwise strenuous walking, or at least make it easier to enjoy.
Let’s Get Out There!
Tags
Health Benefits of Walking, Pole Walking for Seniors, Walking Research
York Nordic provided the best, thoughtful customer service I have ever encountered. I had purchased the wrong grip poles, so I emailed York Nordic, asking for advice. Lauren immediately sent me new poles while I returned and was credited for the originals.
I have used Smart Crutches for about 10 years now. They are great for limited weight bearing or if you’re like me and can’t bear weight on wrists and hands so the weight is instead shifted to the forearm which helps tremendously for chronic/long-term use! Would love to have more frame color options but it’s nice getting to decorate the cuffs!
These walking poles are exceptional. After spine surgery, and then some complications, these walking poles are a godsend. Using them encourages me to be mindful of my posture and more confident with balance while building endurance. I particularly like the contoured hand rests that enhance my comfort while gaining my stride.
I think these are incredibly comfortable! My forearm sizing fell at 9.1, and I wish I’d sized down (7.5 to 9) rather than selecting the 9.1-10 option, since it fits slightly too big and rides closer to my elbows than I would have liked! Overall pretty happy, though!