Walking is undoubtedly one of the best forms of exercise for seniors. Walking can help you to stay fit, prevent disease, or improve your mental well-being.
However, walking can pose some challenges for older adults, such as joint pain, fatigue, and increased fall risk. Many seniors are turning to walking poles to minimize downsides and increase their physical activity to enjoy the benefits of walking.
As a physical therapist who’s helped many older adults increase their strength and mobility, I’ve seen almost every type of walking pole you can think of; not all walking poles for seniors are created equally.
This concise guide will walk you through everything you know about walking poles, how to use them, and other potential options to suit your needs.
There are many different walking poles, depending on your preferences and goals. Here are some of the most common types of walking poles and their features:
Urban Poles were originally designed by an occupational therapist and are now the go-to recommendation by physical and orthopedic specialists.
One of the features we love about Urban Poles is what they DON’T have: wrist straps. A wrist strap tethered to your arm can lead to serious injuries in the wrist, hand, or elbow from a simple stumble.
Rather, they have a unique handle shape for a secure grip. This feature greatly reduces the risk of injury.
The height is also adjustable for a perfect fit. These are the most stable poles we can recommend for all abilities.
This version comes with carbide steel tips for use on sand, trails, snow and in other slippery conditions. Other versions are available with extra stability and shock absorption.
Our recommendations are the same items we trust and prescribe to patients. When you buy through links like this on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission to support new content.
Solid walking poles are a versatile and popular variety that can be used for outdoor activities such as casual walks, hiking, and backpacking. Like a ski pole, solid walking poles can help you navigate various terrain more safely and securely in varying weather conditions.
The most significant benefit of solid walking poles is that they are very secure relative to other types of walking poles, primarily because they do not have an adjustment mechanism that could fail during use.
These poles have multiple locking mechanisms along the pole for height adjustment. Generally speaking, adjustable walking poles can be used in the same situations as solid walking poles.
The greatest benefit of adjustable walking poles for seniors is their versatility. You can adjust the length on the fly to help support your joints and balance during walking. This is especially helpful when walking uphill or downhill when the size of the pole can be slightly adjusted for a smoother experience.
Due to their unique balance of stability and adjustability, these are the best poles for most older adults I work with.
Z poles are hybrid walking poles that fall between solid and adjustable poles. These poles usually include three distinct segments held together by a small internal cord that can be assembled and disassembled as one piece.
While this type of walking pole isn’t my favorite choice for seniors, it can still provide increased safety while helping offload joint stress during walking. Since the height of these poles can’t be easily adjusted, it’s important to get fitted for the correct size before purchasing.
Like adjustable poles, these are more accessible during travel, as some models can fold down to fit into a backpack.
Now that we’ve covered some basic types of walking poles, let’s discuss why they can be helpful for seniors during walking or hiking.
Walking poles can benefit seniors who want to improve their exercise comfort and endurance. However, it depends on what your exact needs are.
Here are some of the highlights that I cover when discussing walking poles with my senior patients:
Walking poles can reduce the stress and impact on your knees, hips, and ankles. For many older adults, this relieves pain from arthritis, muscle strains, and ligament sprains.
This makes walking poles especially helpful for older adults recovering from an injury. Injuries often prevent older people from getting out and walking comfortably to maintain their fitness. In my experience, this has been proven to be one of the most critical uses for walking poles for seniors.
Walking poles can also help improve your balance and stability by providing four points of contact with the ground instead of two. This can help you avoid falls and increase your confidence while walking, especially if you struggle with a condition that increases your risk for falls.1
Even with good balance, walking poles can help you cope with uneven or slippery surfaces like gravel, snow, or mud.
Finally, walking poles can help you conserve energy and reduce fatigue by evenly distributing the work between your upper and lower body muscles.2
Using your arms incorporates the upper body to delay fatigue in the lower body. This can help you walk more quickly without getting tired as easily. It also burns more calories by using more muscles — a nice bonus for those who want to get the most exercise potential from their walks.
Walking poles and canes offer similar support but are designed for different purposes.
Canes are primarily used for daily support. They help people with challenges walking because of medical conditions, surgeries, or injuries. A cane’s main job is to provide stability and reduce weight on a weaker or painful leg, making everyday tasks safer.
On the other hand, walking poles are usually used in pairs for activities like walking or hiking. They do more than help with balance. Walking poles involve the upper body, promoting better posture and evenly spreading the effort between arms and legs. This means that walking becomes an activity that engages the whole body.
In short, while both canes and walking poles offer support, they cater to different needs and activities. Knowing the difference can help seniors choose the right tool for their mobility goals.
Interested in trying walking poles? If so, you’re probably wondering how to choose the right ones for your needs and how to use them properly. While walking poles are relatively easy for most people to use, there are some crucial details to consider when choosing the right pair for you.
When choosing walking poles, you should choose walking poles that are comfortable, durable, and suitable for your height and activity level. The main factors to consider are size, weight, material, grip, and adjustability.
Here are some general guidelines on how to choose a good pair of walking poles:
The ideal length of your walking poles depends on your height and the walking you do.
A simple way to measure the correct length is to hold them with your elbows bent at 90 degrees and your forearms parallel to the ground. In this position, the tips of the poles should touch the ground, and your wrists should feel relaxed.
The weight of your walking poles affects how easy they are to carry and swing. Make sure to choose walking poles that are light enough not to tire you out quickly but not so light that they feel flimsy or unstable.
The weight of walking poles varies depending on the material, design, and features, so expect some variation between different brands and designs.
The material of your walking poles affects their strength, durability, and price. The most common materials for walking poles are aluminum and carbon fiber.
Generally speaking, carbon fiber is more expensive, lighter, and more shock-absorbing than aluminum. However, carbon fiber is also more brittle and susceptible to cracking or snapping than aluminum.
In my experience, casual walking or hiking will not push either of these materials to their limits, so it is best to focus on your preference.
The grip of your walking poles affects how comfortable and secure they feel in your hands. You’ll want to choose a grip that fits your hand size and shape and the weather conditions you walk in. The most common grips are made of cork, rubber, foam, and plastic.
Cork is the most comfortable and breathable type of grip because it molds to your hand shape and absorbs sweat, but it’s also the most expensive option.
On the other end of the spectrum, rubber is the most durable and shock-absorbing type of grip because it withstands wear and tear and reduces vibration. However, rubber is also the heaviest and least breathable type of grip, which can cause blisters or chafing in hot or humid weather.
Note: For most patients, foam tends to be their favorite grip material. It’s the lightest and softest type of grip, providing cushioning and insulation for your hands. While it is less durable than other options, it balances quality and price well.
The adjustability of your walking poles affects how easy they are to use and store. I always recommend choosing walking poles that are adjustable in length so you can adapt them to different terrains and preferences.
For example, you may want to shorten your poles when going uphill or lengthen them when going downhill, which can make a big difference in the overall difficulty of your walk.
Twist, lever, and push-button locks are the most common mechanisms for adjusting walking poles.
Once you’ve chosen the best walking poles for your needs, you must learn how to use them properly to get the most out of them. Here are a few tips to help you get started on the right foot:
The first step to using walking poles is to hold them correctly. You want to hold the poles with a relaxed but firm grip without squeezing or clenching your hands. We do not recommend using the straps for everyday exercise and walking. There is a risk of injury if there is a stumble and your hand is tethered to the walking stick.
The next step to using walking poles is to adjust them to the correct length for your height and the terrain. Generally, you want to adjust the poles so that your elbows are bent at 90 degrees, and your forearms are parallel to the ground when holding the poles. However, you may want to adjust the poles to be slightly shorter or longer depending on the slope and your preference.
For example, you may want to shorten the poles by 5 to 10 centimeters when going uphill and lengthen them by 5 to 10 centimeters when going downhill. This way, you can maintain a relaxed posture and a natural stride while walking.
The final step to using walking poles is to walk with them in a smooth and coordinated manner. Walking with the poles in a reciprocal pattern is best: moving the opposite pole and leg together.
For example, when you step forward with your right leg, you swing your left pole forward, and vice versa. You should also plant the poles slightly behind your feet, not in front of them, as this can help you propel yourself forward and avoid tripping over the poles.
Walking with poles can take some practice, but don’t give up! Once you have established the rhythm of moving the poles with your body, you can reap the benefits of using walking poles quickly.
After learning about the great benefits of walking poles for seniors, it might be hard to think of a reason not to take your walking poles everywhere you go. However, there are a few essential distinctions we should make:
Remember, the purpose of walking poles is to help you stay active despite having challenges with joint pain, balance, or fatigue. If these problems aren’t limiting your ability to walk safely, I don’t recommend walking poles. This is because, over time, you can become dependent on your walking poles and lose strength or endurance, which isn’t ideal for older adults.
Using walking poles to compensate for a problem and stay active is a good option initially. However, once you feel more stable, decrease your use as you feel more confident without them. This way, you can benefit from walking poles without the downside of becoming reliant on them.
Suppose you have a chronic problem that won’t change anytime soon. In that case, it’s perfectly okay to use your walking poles every day indefinitely. Just remember that you should always be challenging yourself where you can to maintain your strength and mobility long-term.
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