How to Use Trekking Poles Like a Boss

Are you a regular trekker? Do you use trekking poles often on a trek or a hiking trail? If yes, it is necessary to know how to exactly use these poles to attain stability during a trek or hiking trail. Many of you simply avoid trekking poles just because they are heavy to handle while walking.

Trekkers with leg pain, Arthritis, and knee problems will feel relaxed while trekking with the help of a trekking pole. This guide will highlight the benefits of using a trekking pole and the ways to use a trekking pole properly. It provides many tips to enjoy comfortable trekking with a trekking pole.

Advantages of Using Trekking Poles

A walking pole is one of the most important things to carry while going trekking or hiking trails. It helps to gain stability while going for a hiking trail on steep slopes and unlevelled roads. Here are some of the major benefits of using a trekking pole:

1. Helps to gain balance

A pole is very useful when you have loads to carry in your backpack. It allows crossing water streams and walking on slippery slopes at ease. A properly planted pole helps to solve balance issues while walking or trekking on uneven grounds.

2. Improves blood circulation

Another major benefit of a trekking pole is that it increases blood circulation and oxygen flow in the full body. It also improves the pace of walking and increases the heart rate. Trekking with a pole will make your muscles more flexible by increasing blood supply in the body. It will even burn extra calories in the body and make it slim and trim.

3. Reduces the risk of injuries

Trekking involves a lot of effort and pressure on leg muscles, knee joints, hips, ankles, and back. It also increases the risk of injuries and wounds when you have to walk on steep slopes. A trekking pole reduces stress and pressure on muscles, knees, ankles, and back. It helps to share the extra load with the muscles of the upper body and distributes weight among the muscles. You will enjoy a stress-free trek or a hiking trail by taking a trekking pole.

How to use a trekking pole during a trek or hiking trail?

Trekking poles make walking much simpler on muddy slopes. You need to know a few techniques to hold a trekking pole properly during a trek or hiking trip. One of the most important tips to know is to hold a trekking pole loose and not very tightly. Some other ways to use a trekking pole during a trek or hiking trail are:

1. Adjust wrist straps

First of all, you must adjust your wrist straps while walking on the steep slopes. They support the weight and give comfort during a walk. While adjusting these straps, you have to open the loop wide to allow your hands to hold the pole comfortably. You must keep a relaxed grip on the trekking pole during a trip.

While walking on uneven surfaces, make sure to hold the pole tightly to support the weight of your hands. You can loosen the strap as per the need when the slope is slippery or muddy.

2. Adjust trekking poles

Stability is an important thing when going on a trek or a hiking trail. It is more important when you have to walk on slippery surfaces. Holding a trekking pole at a 90-degree angle with tight elbows will give proper stability. Adjusting the poles depends on your height. If you are tall, take a pole with a tall height. On the other hand, the stick for kids is ideal for people with shorter height.

While going uphill, you must shorten the trekking pole by 5 to 7 centimeters. On the other hand, you should extend the pole while walking downhill. It is necessary to learn how to adjust the length of poles while walking on different surfaces. In the case of a 3-section pole, you must place the top in the middle and adjust the bottom for correct walking. To change the length of a pole, you need to adjust the top portion of the pole.

3. Setting the height of a pole

Adjusting the height of a trekking pole is very necessary for a comfortable walk. You must stand on a flat surface and unlock the top and bottom portions of the pole by twisting or opening the lever. The length of the pole must be kept at 90 90-degree angle and you must keep your shoulders in a relaxed position. You can ask the staff of the shop about the height of a pole and how to adjust it.

4. Move arms properly

While holding a pole, keep your elbows tight. When you are walking forward, keep the opposite pole forward with your forearms and wrist motion. Keep the grip loose to keep the bar forward correctly. You can practice walking by holding 2 trekking poles at a time. With practice, you will get the correct opposite arm and leg pattern technique during a hiking trail.

5. Walking downhill

If you want to descend the stairs, put both the poles on the next step and go down the step. Do not keep the poles behind you while walking downstairs. When you have to climb uphill, push both poles to get stability. Step on both the poles at the feet and lift the bars to your feet.

Final words

Adjusting the trekking pole is the most important thing if you are trekking on a slippery surface. You must know how to set up the exact length of your trekking poles with height and other necessary things.

You can check the online videos and podcasts to get more expert tips on how to use the trekking poles during a trek or hiking trip. Trekking poles are very useful when you have to walk on hilly terrains and cross small streams. Practicing with a pair of trekking poles often will give you a nice trekking time.