How to Choose Your Walking Stick
There are many factors that come into play when you are purchasing the right walking stick for you. First, you need to ask yourself what you hope to achieve with your stick before you purchase it. Are you getting one for hiking or trekking? Mobility? Balance? To help you walk around your home? To ease joint tension? There are many different uses for a walking stick and being able to pinpoint what you plan to use yours for will help you in the buying process.
The most important thing to look for in your stick is to make sure it fits your body. Many people fail to measure their sticks to see if they are proportion to their body type and this can severely affect the results the stick can have on your body. You are buying the stick to help your body, not hurt it. It is important to make sure the stick isn’t too tall for you and that it rests comfortably on your hipbone and not much higher. If you are a skier use the height of your ski poles as a marker for the height of your stick. Height isn’t the only factor to pay attention to—your weight and build also play a part. People on the heavier side need to look for a different durable stick then those who tend to be on the lighter side.
Once you have measured yourself and your stick you can look into other important details like the handle. Do you need one with extra grip or one that will lightly guide you along a hiking trail? If you are looking for one to help you with your balance then a handle with a full-palm grip might be the best fit for you. Ask your doctor or physical therapist about the different types of handles and each of their benefits. If you are using a stick for fitness purposes then one with a smaller handle might be a better fit for you.
Although choosing a walking stick might seem like a fairly easy task, it is important to test one out before you purchase it. Sticks are like humans, each is unique in its own way and it is up to you as the buyer to figure out which unique stick matches your unique criteria. Once you find your match it will greatly improve your health and quality of life.
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