Spring is in the Air... the days are getting longer, and the weather is warming up.
Do you enjoy walking?  ... for relaxation, or for the exercise?

Consider "Poling"!!! 

In both urban and rural settings, "Poling" offers some intriguing benefits.

When done properly, pole walking can burn 20 to 46% more calories than regular waling alone!!!

A good set of Nordic Poles (the type used for cross country skiing) can cost about $100.  But one can find decent used nordic poles on almost any used equipment source.  Consider E-Bay, Kijiji, or Craiglist in addition to your local used equipment store, garage sales, or the local newspapers.  For urban pole walkers, rubber booties are available to cover the tips and aid in noise and shock absorption.

To get started walk with your poles in your hands, and your hands at your sides, dragging the poles behind you.  Then start to exaggerate the normal hand motion (as if you were about to shake hands).  Ideally, you should never bring the tips of the poles in front of you, nor see them in your peripheral vision.

As anybody who has walked in a very rural area probably knows, the poles can come in handy when confronted with various forms of small wildlife =)

Interested?

Learn more about pole walking here:
Pole Walking
Urban Pole Walking