Exel Nordic walking Pole Size Chart
So you’ve had a few Nordic walking lessons, possibly with us at our nordic walking centre in South Wales. You’ve decided its time to buy a pair of poles, but what length to buy?
Nordic Walking poles are typically sold in fixed lengths of 5 cms increments, starting from 100cms and going all the way up to 135cms. The simplist way to estimate the length of Nordic walking pole you need is to multiply your height in cms by 0.68 and then round down to the nearest 5cm length. So for example, I am 5′ 5″ ish which is 165cm and I walk with 110cms poles (actually nice 100% carbon Exel Ultimates!).
If you have the poles to hand another way of measuring up is to hold the handle of the Nordic walking pole with the shaft vertical and your elbow tucked into your side (like the silhouette in the chart to the left). Your elbow should make a 90 degree angle or slightly more (so that your hand is a little lower to the ground).
Many factors could affect the ideal pole length for your style of Nordic walking. If you have a particularly long stride then you may want a longer pole. Or if you have a hip restriction then you may want a slightly shorter Nordic walking pole. For this kind of fine tunning then its best to take the advise of a qualified INWA (International Nordic Walking Federation) instructor. You can find your nearest instructor at www.britishnordicwalking.org.uk. Or pop in and see us at Barefoot Studio, Cowbridge, near Cardiff. All our staff are INWA qualified instructors and are happy to give you as much advise as you need.
I totally agree that one-piece poles are the way to go – they are safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap twist-locking adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles. I don’t agree with EXEL’s sizing chart or the 68% rule. The goal is to achieve that 90 degree bend in the elbow.
I am also a ski coach and not all ski companies measure their skis and/or poles exactly the same. Example: SWIX poles are slightly shorter than EXEL poles. Both SWIX and EXEL are my favorite Nordic Walking Pole companies and both are committed to the simple fact that one-piece poles are safer, lighter and more durable than twist-locking and collapsible poles.
Perfect length poles help us to automatically walk with a super straight back – better walking posture is biomechanically a good thing. This improved walking posture when combined with the unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action of walking with poles radically reduces the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Nordic Walking is low impact and yet provides a highly effective workout – burning more calories and working more muscle groups than regular walking.
Walking with Poles is the best!