You can increase your hiking pace and make better time with the aid of trekking poles. Here’s how.
Image by Vicki & Chuck Rogers via Flickr
When your left foot advances, advance your right pole and plant it directly across from the middle of that opposite foot. At this point in the walking cycle, the top of the pole should be slightly angled forward relative to the bottom of the pole. Because of this beneficial angle, pushing down on the pole is also pushing back and helping to thrust your body forward. So, as your left foot thrusts your body forward while moving back relative to the forward motion of your body, your right pole is producing a tandem thrust on the right side.
When your right foot advances in preparation for thrust, your left pole advances. Then your right foot and left pole thrust your body forward in tandem.
So, don’t forget: Left foot and right pole forward; right foot and left pole forward.
A caution here is in order. Don’t plant your pole ahead of your opposite foot. In such a position, the pole is slanted wrong with the bottom end of the pole angled ahead of the top end. At that point, pushing down on the pole tends to brake your forward motion instead of adding thrust to it. So, remember to plant your pole directly across from the center of your opposite foot.
Don’t hesitate to give a good strong downward push on each pole to aid in the forward thrust of your body. It will help increase your hiking pace (speed) and, at the same time, help to build your upper body strength. As you gain, over time, upper body strength, your hiking, with the aid of trekking poles, will become increasingly more efficient.
Knowing how to use trekking poles for increased hiking pace can make your hiking more enjoyable as well as more efficient. ~Richard Davidian, Ph.D.
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I completely agree. I’ve been using my trekking poles in ultra-marathons and they have been a big help. It really helps me push the pace on the uphills and saves my knees going down. I just wish I could stash them somewhere on the flats…