Pole Walking in the Park

By Margaret Boyes

"Upright, elegant and flowing," is how Nordixx pole walking instructor Linda Schaumleffel describes pole walking when it's done correctly. Pole walking is like cross country skiing on trails and sidewalks without the skis. It was started by cross country athletes 40 years ago for training when there was no snow.

On a half-cloudy, half-sunny April afternoon I showed up at the corner of Dallas and Cook for the free pole walk advertised on Victoria Meetup.com. I'd had poles for years but never learned how to use them properly. After talking to Linda, I decided to take a polewalking lesson with eight other people, mostly seniors.

Linda is a Nordixx Pole Walking Canada certified instructor, and Nordixx Master Instructor, Olympian, (retired), BCRPA personal fitness trainer, with a B.Ed (PhysED, Psych.) She competed for Canada in the 1976 Olympic Games in rowing and reconstructed her body and life after a car accident in 1989.

The lesson starts with Linda answering questions about shoes and socks. Next she explains how to make our poles the right height. and how plain tips are best for walking on the grass and chip trails in the park. (You can put rubber boot tips on them for walking on pavement.)

We start walking single file and Linda tells us about the six P's of pole walking: 1. PLACING your hands correctly 2. Having the right POSTURE 3.PACING correctly 4. Swinging the arms like PENDULUMS 5. PUSHING back 6. PROPELLING...that's when you get really fit!

She explains that with poles you engage almost 90 percent of the muscles in your upper body. It gives you a mild cardio workout, and burns 30-60% more calories than plain walking. Linda says the prescription is to pole walk 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes.

Fitness results start showing up in about two weeks: the first things that you notice are more energy, better posture and smaller pant size! For people with foot, knee and hip concerns, about a third of your body weight is transferred onto the poles so it's easier on your joints...and it gives you a feeling of stability and balance. No matter what your current fitness level, you can start pole walking today.

The first step for you to learn about pole walking is to take an introductory lesson just like I did. It was fun! Everyone can do it.

And Linda is a great teacher. After that there are many options. As Linda says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project" and Nordic pole walking is definitely a total body exercise that anyone can do and it's fun!

FOR MORE INFO: visit: or contact linda at Lindasuccess@shaw.ca or (250) 920-4005