By David Patterson
If you’ve ever watched cross-country skiers glide across snowy trails and thought, That looks like a full-body workout, you’re absolutely right. Now imagine bringing that same powerful, rhythmic movement to your neighborhood sidewalks and park paths with no snow required.
Also known as Nordic or fitness pole walking, this activity is quietly becoming a favorite among older adults and for good reason. It’s safe, effective, social, and yes… genuinely fun.
A Full-Body Workout You Can Feel
Unlike regular walking, urban pole walking actively engages the core, arms, shoulders, and upper back. Each time you plant a pole and push back, your abdominal muscles stabilize your torso, while your arms and chest help propel you forward. The result?
- Improved core strength, which supports posture and protects the spine
- Increased muscle tone in the arms, shoulders, back, and legs
- A more upright, confident walking form
Many people are surprised to discover that pole walking can feel closer to cross-country skiing on dry land than to a casual stroll. The coordinated arm-and-leg motion turns walking into a smooth, flowing, total-body movement.
One of the biggest advantages of urban pole walking, especially as we age, is stability. The poles act as extra points of contact with the ground, helping you feel more balanced and secure on uneven pavement, curbs, or gentle hills.
Tucked away on Jacksonville’s northside is, Betz-Tiger Point Preserve. It offers a peaceful escape for outdoor enthusiasts. Shaded trails wind through maritime forests and along scenic marshes, where gentle breezes and birdsong set the pace. Its flat, well-maintained paths make it an ideal setting for pole walking, relaxed hikes, and restorative nature strolls.
Cyndy Plemmons, a former practical nurse, started her pole walking experience in 2020 when a medication reaction wrecked her vestibular (balance) system. She was using a walker to keep from falling for about a year.
“A friend told me that his physical therapist recommended using walking poles and let me try his. I noticed a difference right way when I was able to stand up straight which immediately allowed me to take in more oxygen. I started using the poles for everything,” Plemmons said.
“A friend told me that his physical therapist recommended using walking poles and let me try his. I noticed a difference right way when I was able to stand up straight which immediately allowed me to take in more oxygen. I started using the poles for everything,” Plemmons said.
