Community
18 October, 2024
Seniors conquer the poles
THERE was plenty of laughter, amid a little frustration, coming from the Archie Graham Centre earlier this week as a group of seniors took on the challenge of using walking poles.
The poles, which can be used as a confidence booster for those who need help with remaining steady and balanced on their feet while walking, can also be challenging for first-time users.
But that didn’t deter around 12 local senior citizens who were determined to put one foot after the other as part of Tuesday afternoon’s ‘come and try session.’
Organised as part of this month’s Warrnambool Seniors Festival, the session was led by Clare Vaughan who inspired and encouraged the group to do their best.
“It was a lovely afternoon and all participants seemed to have had a great time,” Clare said.
“Nordic walking can be challenging at first but once mastered it is a great form of exercise and the sticks are also helpful for balance.”
Nordic walking is also called urban walking.
The poles can be used for fitness to enable the use of upper body and an open chest for deeper breathing and therefore speed on an open walk.
The sticks can also help to increase a user’s stride length.
Each pole has an angled rubber ‘boot’ and hand straps that are best suited to Nordic walking where the diagonal pole action keeps the pole tips in line and behind your feet – not in front of your feet.
And for those needing a little more stability when walking, the poles can also help keep a user steady and balanced while walking or exercising.
They can act as exercise aids and, in some cases, can replace crutches or walking sticks for extra stability on rough ground.
