Trekking poles

Hollywood beauties and British royals are buzzing about the body-transforming benefits of walking with trekking poles. But can the walking sticks really speed weight loss? FIRST wellness columnist Jorge Cruise weighs in

With access to the world’s top nutritionists and trainers, A-listers can sample the most cutting-edge approaches to stay trim, toned and vibrant. That’s why we were pleasantly surprised to learn that for some celebs—including Suzanne Somers and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York—the secret to staying in shape after menopause isn’t extreme diet and exercise. Instead, they reportedly rely on a simple (and inexpensive) strategy: strolling with trekking poles.

Also called Nordic walking poles, these sticks originated in Finland in 1979 as a way for cross-country skiers to train in the off-season. By the late 1980s, the poles had become popular all over Europe for their superior toning capabilities. What makes them so effective? Pushing the poles forward with each step works the shoulders and upper arms, and pulling the poles back

tones the back. Fans also say holding the poles upright through the motion engages the body’s core to sculpt abs, so a simple stroll can deliver the same full-body firming perks as using a circuit-training machine at the gym.

Another plus: Activating muscles throughout the body during a walk fires up metabolism—according to research from the Cooper Institute in Dallas, Nordic walking burns 46 percent more calories than walking without poles. And researchers in Poland found that women who walked with trekking poles increased their upper arm strength and muscle tone by 16 percent over 4 weeks—while women in the study who walked without the poles actually experienced a decrease in muscle tone.

Though trekking poles deliver a full-body workout, Italian studies show that women who walk with them don’t feel like they are working any harder—and they’re 130 percent more likely to stick with a walking program that includes trekking poles. Experts say this is because the poles provide lateral stability and encourage proper posture, which helps walkers sidestep ankle, knee, hip and lower back pain. Swinging the poles has also been shown to loosen tight muscles in the upper back and shoulders to reduce tension headaches and shoulder pain. And the effects are so powerful that 100 percent of women in one German study reported that their chronic pain eased significantly after walking regularly with trekking poles for six months—and 30 percent of subjects noted that their chronic pain symptoms completely ceased.

Despite the benefits, some women are reluctant to try Nordic walking because it looks “too silly,” but fans say the exercise is so fun that they don’t even mind if they look a little odd. Plus, the poles make it easier and safer to maintain a walking regimen in the winter months by providing extra stability on snowy sidewalks and trails.