WE are excited to introduce the NEW WALX Xcelerator and WALX Total Body walking poles
The WALX Team have been at the forefront of pole walking for fitness and rehabilitation in the UK since 2004. Throughout that time, they have trialled/tested every conceivable pole design and created training modules for Instructors, Physiotherapists and specialists in relation to their use.
Our aim has always been to help people get the results they NEED and WANT from poles whether that’s support and mobility or performance.
As a responsible business, we have other drivers too though… Like making sure poles are affordable, ensuring regular supply and most importantly minimising our carbon footprint by not importing from the Far East. We also always want to provide the BEST product to our partners and the millions of customers who TRUST our judgement when it comes to what can be for some, life changing equipment.
During Lockdown, we set about designing the ULTIMATE ergonomic pole handle based on the features we felt we could improve. Following two years in development and a partnership with Fizan in Italy, we have not only managed to design the handle BUT we have managed to create unique walking poles that are:-
- AFFORDABLE
- ATTRACTIVE
- LIGHTWEIGHT
- ADJUSTABLE
- ROBUST
- COMFORTABLE
- INNOVATIVE
AND…. BRITISH DESIGNED. We have managed to reduce delivery miles for the poles by working with our partner FIZAN in Italy and we are manufacturing the handle in the UK! We believe this will help us ensure supply, reduce costs and help the planet too!
The NEW WALX Total Body walking and Xcelerator poles are now available to purchase although demand for the first release has been exceptional and we have had to increase production!
So what is so different about the WALX handle design?
We based our design on the natural walking pattern rather than on traditional pole walking techniques or rehabilitation aids. We know how to harness the power of the upper body to take the weight of the lower body joints, provide stability and also POWER from propulsion but to date, it has never felt NATURAL.
When we swing our arms naturally, our hands are held in a relaxed soft curl with the thumb at the top – the wrist is in a neutral position. With WALX poles we have managed to capture this to provide comfort, stability and power
The new handles provide support for the thumb and the thenar area (padded area below the thumb) and as the handle is fixed onto a pole shaft with a 15 degree angle (see this blog about how this is revolutionising Nordic walking), the wrist position is not comprised at all. This enables the user to gain stability and comfort if using the poles for rehabilitation and forward propulsion for fitness walking and hiking. There is no pressure on the heel of the hand or risk of crushing the ring and little fingers which can cause numbness in some walkers. The grip is always loose and relaxed.
Without going in to too much technical detail, we wanted the highest grade (7075) of seamless alloy tubing, as used in the manufacture of airplanes. The grade of the alloy pole is essential for the strength and recovery of the pressures exerted whilst in use. Thankfully, Fizan can source the 7075 alloy tubing from one of the only factories left in Europe
There are two specific models based on the same moulded handle design
The WALX Xcelerator model is designed to literally accelerate rehabilitation and recovery by providing stability and comfort. It comes with a stability rubber paw on the bottom and a wrist loop for use when the walker needs to avoid dropping the pole as they perform daily tasks. It is lightweight but robust with a twist lock adjustment
The WALX Total Body walking pole comes with an angled rubber paw (Nordic walking style) on the bottom and is ideal for all types of walking from hiking, trekking and hill walking to nordic walking and our own TOTAL BODY WALKING sessions that work the whole body holistically. They are also suitable for performance training for hills and distance challenges.
WALX and NORDIC WALKING UK INSTRUCTORS across the UK will be able to teach YOU how to get the most out these poles and we are delighted to have already trained a number of Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists and Exercise referral teams via our pole walking for rehabilitation training courses. We also deliver pole walking training in conjunction with Parkinson’s UK and recently showcased the poles at their Sports Parkinsons event ( see picture)
The pole handles were designed by the team of experts from WALX, who have over 100 years of combined skills & knowledge from the Outdoor and Fitness Industry. Martin Christie, who heads up the Education Team, originally brought Nordic walking to the UK in 2004 and has trained thousands of Instructors and rehabilitation specialists. Gill Stewart a qualified sports therapist with over 40 years experience in the delivery of fitness and rehabilitation exercise (and Author of the Complete Guide to Nordic walking – Bloomsbury Press)
Mike Rollason from WALX HQ was responsible for the investment, research, technical material trials and manufacture. Mike has had a lifetime career in creating innovation in the UK. He designed and built some of the very first Snow Boards in the World, was involved with launching the first Mountain Bikes in the UK and built one of the first Waterski Cable Tows
In this video Martin explains how to set up the WALX Xcelerator poles
In this video Martin explains how to get started with the WALX Xcelerator poles but if you have been advised by a Physiotherapist we are more than happy to speak to them too!