strap a heavy weight around your ankle and you’ll probably have difficulty in moving; strap the same weight around your thigh, it becomes easier – so having the same weight distributed nearer to your hip pivot means less effort to move. Similarly for a pole, having its weight distributed at the top in its handle, with a light shaft tip – makes moving the pole easier; how easy will depend on how far the shaft is from its pivot point - and the weight of the shaft itself. For example: using a conventional pole's arm action involves upper arm + forearm + handle + shaft - the pivot point here is high in the shoulder – so more effort (tiring to sustain) is needed to move the shaft weight which is further away from its pivot. Instead, Pacerpole’s action (see User Guide) focuses on the natural pivot of your elbow, not the shoulder - so the moving weight off the ground is the forearm + handle + shaft. As the distribution of the pole’s weight is in the handle, already near to its elbow pivot, as is its shaft, then less effort is needed to achieve the swing. Instead, more of your energy is now available for directing into your arm's thrust action for the next step - which is far more important. So, by focusing on your natural elbow thrust and not an unnecessary forward shoulder swing, your arm's input is more effective. It means that instead of having to move your shoulder forward, your shoulder muscles are working to stabilise your upper arm - making your elbow a firm base to thrust more efficiently for hour after hour.
(Pacerpole weight 650gm per pair - of which handle weight is 260gm)

WHY USE TWO POLES?
With each stride the top half of your body twists on the bottom half – so the right hand comes forward with the left leg, then the left hand and right leg move through. This means that the thrust from each arm/leg combination balances the other to improve overall performance. Using two poles can improve your dynamic stability (safety benefit) as there is always a minimum of one foot + one pole on the ground making it easier to establish a well balanced stride rhythm especially over rough ground, variable terrain and long distances.
You reduce your efficiency if the right pole and right leg move together, as your weight sways over to that side, then over to the left side as your left pole and leg have moved through. This ‘sway’ minimises the potential benefits of using two poles.