At Nordic Walk Store, we are passionate about true Nordic Walking—the scientifically developed technique that delivers a full-body workout, improves health, and supports wellbeing at every step. Recently, we’ve seen some confusion in the marketplace, with claims that straps are “dangerous” and that strapless poles are better for walkers. Let’s clear this up once and for all:
👉 If your poles don’t have straps, you are not doing Nordic Walking.
Straps are not an accessory or an add-on. They are at the very heart of the technique, and without them you lose many of the health benefits that Nordic Walking was designed to deliver.
Why Straps Are Essential
1. Arm Extension and Full-Body Workout
Nordic Walking isn’t just walking with sticks. It’s about driving the body forward with coordinated arm and leg movement. The strap allows you to release the pole behind you while keeping contact and continuing to push through the pole. This means you can fully extend your arm backwards. This extension is key to:
- Activating the triceps and shoulder muscles
- Strengthening the back and core
- Increasing calorie burn by engaging more muscle groups
Without straps, you are forced to hold the pole handle at all times, which shortens your arm movement and reduces the workout intensity.
2. Circulation and Lymphatic Health
One of the unique benefits of Nordic Walking is the open-and-close movement of the hands as you grip and release the pole. This natural pumping action:
- Stimulates circulation in the forearms and hands
- Promotes lymphatic drainage, helping the body clear toxins and excess fluid
- Reduces stiffness and swelling in the fingers and wrists
Take away the straps, and you lose this vital health benefit.
3. Joint Protection and Load Sharing
Correct strap use means the force of each pole plant is transferred through the strap to the whole arm, not just the hand or wrist. This spreads the load across larger joints and muscles, reducing strain and protecting against repetitive stress.
With strapless poles, all the impact stays in your hands and wrists, which can actually increase discomfort or risk of injury over time.
4. Natural Gait and Rhythm
Nordic Walking with straps supports a natural walking pattern—opposite arm and leg working together. In natural walking the arm swings back beyond the hip, balancing the forward stride of the opposite leg. The straps guide the poles to swing smoothly with your stride, creating a fluid rhythm. Strapless walking, on the other hand, limits the range of movement of the arm swing and stops you from finding the flow that makes Nordic Walking so enjoyable.
5. Safety and Control
Far from being “dangerous,” properly fitted straps actually make walking safer. They keep the pole secure in your hand so it doesn’t slip unexpectedly, even on rough terrain. Modern glove-style straps are designed to be ergonomic, comfortable, and easy to release with a quick click system if you need to free your hands.
Why Strapless Poles Are Different
There are poles on the market which are excellent for certain groups—particularly those in rehabilitation or with significant balance concerns. They provide extra stability for assisted walking, but they are not Nordic Walking poles.
If your goal is to gain the full health, fitness, and postural benefits of Nordic Walking, you need poles with straps and you need to learn how to use them correctly.
The Bottom Line
Straps aren’t an optional extra—they are the difference between Nordic Walking and just walking with poles.
✅ With straps, you get a total body workout, improved circulation, better posture, and a flowing rhythm.
❌ Without straps, you lose the technique, reduce the benefits, and risk turning Nordic Walking into something it’s not.
At Nordic Walk Store, we only stock genuine Nordic Walking poles with ergonomic strap systems. We also offer expert advice, technique tips, and personal pole fitting services to make sure you get the right equipment and the right start.
Because when it comes to Nordic Walking, straps matter.
Why not make the most of your visit and add on a private technique lesson with International Trainer Karen Ingram? You’ll not only leave with the perfect poles but also the skills to get the very best from them.