Many friends who take part in outdoor sports already have their own trekking poles. So, can trekking poles replace Nordic walking? What's the difference between trekking poles and Nordic walking? Below, let me analyze:
Analysis of the differences can be distinguished from three aspects: function, material, design and use.
First, the function:
Climbing poles, also known as snow mountain poles, are basically designed for climbing mountains above 3500 meters, which is more protective. In the mountainous areas with high altitude hypoxia, low temperature ice and snow, and all kinds of hard rock and gravel, it is inseparable from trekking poles to challenge the limit of life. In addition, in the process of climbing the mountain that day, due to the need of camping in the wild, climbers need to carry a heavy bag on their backs. When a person stands upright, his center of gravity leans backward due to the pressure of luggage. To keep their balance, they need to lean forward. In order to prevent their bodies from leaning forward excessively, they need to use trekking poles to keep their balance. Because it is only used for climbing mountains, it can't be used on flat roads. For the convenience of carrying, the trekking pole is made into a light and retractable style and can be inserted into a backpack when not in use. Even if crutches are used, the pressure on lower limbs can be reduced to some extent.
Walking cane in northern Europe is mainly designed for fitness, which has both fitness and protection functions. The difference between trekking poles is that you must use two walking sticks at the same time. Mainly suitable for mountaineering activities below 3500 meters above sea level and brisk walking on peaceful roads. Walking on a flat road, you can exercise your upper limbs, shoulders, back and waist while moving your lower limbs. At the same speed, you can consume 20-46% more calories to achieve twice the result with half the effort. When climbing, with the support of two crutches, the purpose of climbing with both hands and feet is realized, and the upper limbs share the exercise load of the lower limbs, which makes people feel labor-saving and can avoid the overload of cardiopulmonary function. More importantly, it reduces the pressure on the knee joint and lumbar spine, protects the knee joint and lumbar spine, solves the problem of excessive wear of the knee joint in mountaineering fitness, and greatly enhances the sports value of mountaineering fitness. Using two Nordic walking sticks, you can keep a good balance even if you carry a heavy bag, and you can push your body forward with the help of your arms, saving energy. Because the walking stick in northern Europe is suitable for mountains and plains, it has been used outdoors all the time and there is no carrying problem. Therefore, a large number of crutches are designed, which are suitable for people of different heights, ranging in length from 105 cm to 125 cm, and there is a crutch every 5 cm. In addition, there are three adjustable crutches to facilitate travel.
The special function of Nordic walking makes it the best aerobic exercise, which attracts the attention of fitness and medical experts. The State Sports General Administration has promoted it as an excellent fitness program to the whole country.
Second, materials and design.
The main function of trekking poles is support, so metal alloys are often used as poles. The purpose is to strengthen the supporting force. The "handle" design is mainly grasped by the palm, and the wristband is a simple circular belt. The damping spring is added in the rod body, and only the metal tip at the bottom of the rod is anti-slip, regardless of the function of smooth and hard stone road.
Walking sticks in northern Europe have various functions. Therefore, the rod body is made of carbon fiber composite material, and the wristband is specially designed, similar to a simple glove. In addition to the metal tip, the bottom is also equipped with a small shock absorber similar to boots. Its rod body is very light (three times the weight), with sufficient supporting force and good elasticity, and it can be bent and bounced straight, so that users can borrow money. The specially designed wristband can not only grasp the handle conveniently, but also change the direction of hand force. In addition, the wrist strap is used to support and push the crutch instead of the handle, which is also a unique design to reduce hand vibration. The metal tip at the bottom can easily walk on the ground such as snow and mud, while the anti-slip head of the small boots can ensure that it does not slip when walking on the smooth ground such as slate and cement.
Third, the method of use
The use of trekking poles is mainly to grasp the handle. Except when climbing a mountain, the upper arm is basically close to the upper body, and the shoulder joint is basically motionless. Taking the elbow joint of the arm as the axis, the balance of the body is maintained by changing the support point of the walking pole. The trekking poles do not have the function of walking on flat roads, nor can they be used together.
The use of walking stick in Nordic race requires that the shoulder joint can swing back and forth, increase the swing arm range, and enhance the fitness effect and protection. Walking on a flat road, on the basis of normal walking, the hind legs are straight, the front legs and hind feet are attached to the ground, the arms are abduction, the crutch support points are slightly behind the sides of the body, and the rod body pushes the body forward obliquely. When climbing a mountain, you should give full play to the role of wristbands. When going up the mountain, put the crutch in front, pull your body up with a wrist strap, bend your arm after going up, and push the crutch behind you with a wrist strap to keep your body up. When going downhill, the crutch is supported in front, and the arm should be in a straight line with the crutch to extend the length of the crutch.
To sum up, we can see that the function of trekking poles is relatively simple, and nordic walking's walking poles can not only replace trekking poles, but also greatly enhance the exercise value of fitness mountaineering and create a new trend of fitness mountaineering.