A Vancouver Urban Poling Nordic walking class pauses for a stretch and strengthen interval
If you’ve taken one of my Nordic walking classes in Toronto, you probably started by borrowing a pair of my Urban Poling poles—and later decided to buy your own from me.
And for good reason: I’ve been loving and recommending Urban Poling equipment since I started teaching Nordic walking in the early 2000s.
Here’s why I use Urban Poling poles for all my classes and and recommend them to my participants.
Urban Poling: A trusted company
I’ve enjoyed working with Urban Poling for many years as Director of Education and a Master Trainer, helping to educate other instructors and spread the good word about the benefits of Nordic walking. I’ve seen firsthand how committed the company is to innovation, education, and making movement accessible to all.
Designed for performance, comfort & safety
Urban Poling poles are more than just "walking sticks." They’re thoughtfully engineered fitness tools designed to promote:
• proper posture
• full-body engagement (arms, shoulders, core, and legs)
• joint-friendly movement, especially for the hips, knees, and ankles
• improved balance and stability (particularly important for older adults)
Whether you’re walking for fitness or recovering from an injury, Urban Poling offers a model to suit your needs, from Nordic walking poles to the rehab-specific ACTIVATOR poles.
Why I trust Urban Poling equipment
Here’s what makes Urban Poling poles stand out:
• patented ergonomic handles designed for comfort and to reduce grip fatigue
• no wrist straps, which improves safety
• shock-absorbing boot tips that reduce stress on joints
• high-quality construction that holds up year after year
• adjustable height for a perfect fit every time
Here’s where some other brands fail
Occasionally, participants arrive at my classes with poles purchased online or chosen mainly for their low price. Almost always, they end up switching to Urban Poling poles once they feel, hear, and experience the difference in quality.
Here are some of the common issues I see with lower-quality poles:
The locking system doesn’t hold properly, causing the poles to slowly collapse while walking.
Plastic boot tips (versus rubber) are noisy/distracting, and offer poor shock absorption.
Wrist straps are cumbersome and uncomfortable, sometimes interfering with proper technique.
Equipment arrives with no setup instructions and no guidance regarding Nordic walking technique.
Be a wise consumer and do some research before purchasing your poles. With the right pair, you’ll enjoy a huge range of benefits and they’ll last you a lifetime.
