Nordic Walking Success At Mercy Hospital's Cardiac Rehab Department

REAL Nordic Walking Poles Radically Improve Balance Stability And Gait

While hosting Nordic Walking Classes at Mercy Hospital's Cardiac Rehabilitation Department and offering Nordic Walking Classes for the hospital staff during lunch I received the typical positive feedback from participants. The many benefits of walking with the perfect length poles and correct technique was recognized and appreciated by those in cardiac rehab, their spouses, the pt's, the doctors and other hospital staff members.

Mercy Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab Dept. has a nice selection of exercise equipment including real Nordic Walking Poles. The Cardiac Rehabilitation PT’s (physical therapists) utilize one-piece SWIX Nordic Walking Poles – safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap/flimsy two-piece and three-piece twist-lock and flip-lock poles that tend to rattle, vibrate and/or collapse unexpectedly.

When I arrived at Cardiac Rehab I found one gentleman Nordic Walking the halls outside Cardiac Rehab. His technique was awesome and there was a real bounce in his step. When I caught up to Mr. Raymer I learned that he had just turned 71 the day before. I learned that he had also recovered from a heavy equipment accident and was lucky to even be able to walk. He told me that his Nordic Walking Poles keep him going spring, summer and fall. And come winter he cross country skis too. The benefits of Nordic Walking and cross country skiing are huge and they are very similar. They are both highly effective aerobically and both are gentle on the shins, knees, hips and back.

Skiers know that one piece poles are much lighter and much more durable than 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles. Skiers don’t use cheap/flimsy twist-lock or flip-lock poles for obvious reasons. During my Nordic Walking classes numerous participants told me about the problems they had with their collapsible walking and snowshoe poles. My dependable SWIX and EXEL one-piece Nordic Walking Poles proved to be far superior to their cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles. Plus all of my SWIX and EXEL poles are equipped with real Nordic Walking Straps – comfortable fingerless glove type straps - patented by the Salomon Ski Company.

While Nordic Walking at Mercy Hospital we kept the rubber Nordic Walking tips/asphalt paws on. The rubber tips/asphalt paws are ideal on carpet, tile, indoor/outdoor tracks, pavement and of course asphalt. When the rubber tips are removed the metal tips are exposed and ideal for trails, grass, dirt, the beach, snow and ice.

Our SWIX and EXEL one-piece Nordic Walking Poles are being utilized at multiple cardiac rehabilitation locations across the country. PT’s and doctors recognize that our one-piece poles are user-friendly and won’t collapse unexpectedly like twist-lock and flip-lock poles can when they fail. SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System provides superior Nordic Walking Poles and has developed a variety of exertion and intensity levels, plus special instructions for individuals with balance issues. There is an ideal level of intensity and exertion appropriate for any age and any fitness level – from casual to maximum calorie burn.

Walking with poles is the best!