Importance of Using Poles on ALL Walks (not just Hikes!)

Hi Sheri

I was with you last week at your session at the Grand in Kelowna. I was very impressed with your presentation, you should have been a teacher, or were you?

My name is Jean and I live in Cochrane, Alberta near the base of the Rocky Mountains. At the conclusion of your session I filled out a form to receive your newsletter. I told you that I use my sticks in the mountains but not on my daily walks so after listening to you explain the advantages of using sticks on my daily walks today I set out with mine in hand.

I am asthmatic and I have arthritis in both of my knees. I found with using them that my stride was consistently longer therefore I walked faster and that my breathing was much more relaxed. On completion of my hour’s walk I was really energized and not at all tired even though I have several uphill areas. I thought that my arms would ache but such was not the case.

Tomorrow will be 1 1/2 hrs which will complete my 10 000 daily steps. I fell in-step with my sticks immediately. Going uphill was so much easier but I am not sure yet how to use the sticks properly on a decline. Possibly you have a suggestion for me.  **a suggestion is to either increase the backward angle you are holding your Poles by so that Poles become ‘shorter’ by doing so – or if the hill is really steep – you might want to put the Poles out in front of you to help you keep your balance as you travel down the hill.**

As mentioned I have my own sticks and after looking at yours I was really impressed with the design of them compared to mine. I think that the strap on the handle and the various rubber tips are very well designed. I agree with you that the springs are really not necessary, in fact better not to have them.

Sheri I have told several people about your stick design and about the advantages of using sticks on all walks. I believe I have convinced one friend in Vernon to see you and 2 others in Calgary to use sticks daily. These friends are all avid daily walkers.

I am so pleased that I attended your session.

Sincerely

Jean

** We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colours….but they all exist very nicely in the same box.