Walking with hiking/walking poles

Cae61
Cae61 Posts: 2 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Might be a daft question, but, walking with poles isn't in the exercise database. I'm trying to get back into burning some calories and getting fit after a long illness and foot operation. I'm using walking poles to help and was really just trying to find out if it is more beneficial to use them for burning off calories. I find them easier to use than my crutches, which is listed on the exercise database. :)

Replies

  • lx1x
    lx1x Posts: 38,332 Member
    Regular walking .. unless you are hill climbing then that's something else.

    Walker, pole or crutches.. do probably burn more but each person is different. Doubt mfp will have a list specific for injured/hc ppl.
  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,710 Member
    Is this any help?

    https://captaincalculator.com/health/calorie/calories-burned-nordic-walking-calculator/

  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    glovepuppet wrote: »
    Is this any help?

    https://captaincalculator.com/health/calorie/calories-burned-nordic-walking-calculator/

    The problem with those calculators is that they have to use one type of walking on which to base the intensity level (i.e. calorie burn). And they tend to choose the “best case scenario” (e.g. the higher effort, calculated as being sustained continuously from step one with no decrease in effort ever).

    The results is that they tend to overestimate—often by a considerable amount.

    OP: exaggerated arm movements during walking—whether using poles or not—can increase the aerobic effort (and calorie burn)—if, of course, you maintain the same walking speed.

    It is difficult to estimate the extent of the extra burn with consistency. You could try adding 10% if you wanted a higher number.
  • lalalacroix
    lalalacroix Posts: 834 Member
    As an avid hiker I'm gonna say that any additional burn from using hiking poles is gonna be pretty low. That doesn't mean that it won't have some benefit. I would agree with using an additional 10% as stated above.
  • Cae61
    Cae61 Posts: 2 Member
    edited August 2019
    :) Thanks for all your feedback. I'll stick with the ordinary walking option on the database, as I use a walking aid in everyday life, so I don't think my walking ever gets to a very fast pace.
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