Walking Is Man's Best Medicine

Nordic Walking Can Help!
 

Hundreds of years BC, Hippocrates (a Greek physician), stated clearly that "walking is man's best medicine." Centuries later studies have proven that walking could help with many physical and mental challenges.

The benefits of walking?

Walking strengthens the lower back - helping to eliminate lower back pain. If the pain already exists walking with poles that are sized and used correctly can help to radically reduce that back pain.

Walking helps with weight loss. Pills and diets alone are not the answer. Walking with poles can help to burn more calories and help to reduce the stress to the shins, the knees and back.

Walking provides the weight bearing benefits many of us need. And again quality walking can help provide the weight bearing benefits, but at a reduced stress level compared to regular walking. The poles reduce the pounding and the stress when sized correctly and when used correctly.

For those with balance issues walking with a can or walker is not comfortable or biomechenically correct. When using the Perfect Length Poles the individual is tricked into walking taller - this improved posture makes walking so much more comfortable and the poles add an element of 4-Wheel Drive to the walking campaign while improving balance and stability.

Walking can help many reduce the medications they are currently taking. Walking with poles can effectively help to shed the pounds, improve balance/stability, improve posture and walking comfort, lower blood sugar levels, help with blood pressure, .........

The poles not only add the element of 4-wheel-drive and improve stability, but the poles help to engage more muscles than regular walking.

At WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System we receive happy customer emails and thank you cards in the mail everyday. Happy because their poles have helped them to find walking success. We are honest about the simple fact that our quality one-piece walking poles will prove to be safer, lighter, more durable and much more user-friendly than cheap/flimsy 2-piece or 3-piece collapsible poles flooding the market from China. We NEVER recommend collapsible 2-piece or 3-piece poles for individuals with balance issues. Our one-piece poles are custom fit to each individuals height so there are no cheap/flimsy twist-lock or flip-locks insecurely holding the pieces/sections of the the collapsible poles together. Collapsible poles tend to rattle, vibrate, gradually collapse/shorten while walking or unexpectedly fail altogether. We carry and recommend one-piece SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles.

Over 10 million Europeans are walking with poles in the cities (with the rubber Nordic Walking Tips/Asphalt Paws on), out in the country and up in the mountains using the metal tips.

Walking can add years to your lifespan and improve the quality of your life!

Please get out and walk more. Encourage your family and friends too.

Nordic Walking Poles Welcome At The Port Oneida Barn To Barn Trail Run/Walk 5K

The Port Oneida barn to barn trail run/walk will be unique in that the National Park Service (Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore) hasn’t approved a running/walk event in nearly two decades. This special running and walking event is a fundraiser for Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear (PHSB).

The 5K (3.1 miles) course be a single loop trail course. The loop should prove to be one of the most scenic in the country. The course is pure cross country. Runners should not expect to break the 5K personal records due the challenges provided by the footing and hills. Runners and walkers will be treated to exceptional view of Sleeping Bear Bay while they traverse the top of the ridge along the Bay View Trail.

My daughter Cassidy Edwards, gold medallist at Junior Olympics in both cross country skiing and track, designed the trail course for serious runners, joggers and those who would enjoy a hike with beautiful vistas. She describes the run, which begins and ends at the Charles Olsen Farm, as a “unique tour of Sleeping Bear’s historic Port Oneida farmsteads.” The loop she has selected for the 5K will include several sections of the Bayview Trail and will take runners and walkers through the beautiful scenery of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – a National Park just 30 miles west of Traverse City.

My wife Lissa Edwards was one of the founders of Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear and was instrumental in helping to save many of the now protected and newly renovated farmsteads from being torn down during the 1990’s.

Runners, joggers and walkers will find the 5K course to be a special tour of the Port Oneida Rural Historic district which is “one of the most prized historic landscapes in the country”! The course meanders through the pastoral landscape of farmsteads from the late 1800s nestled among the hills, and along the shores of Lake Michigan. The start and finish points are at the Park's historic Olsen farmstead which Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear restored in 2004.

Both Nordic Walking and Nordic Running (running with poles) will be allowed. Free use of Nordic Walking Poles will be provided by  WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System.

Event Website: http://www.phsb.org/programs/?id=189

For information call 231-334-6103 or email phsb@leelanau.com

To reserve Nordic Walking Poles for the event please call SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System: 231-334-3080 or email: getfit@skiwalking.com

Nordic Walking Certification Includes Unexpected 5km Gold Medal

Jim Bennett and Kathe Swanson decided to head north this summer, tour the Great Lakes in their RV and attempt to become certified Nordic Walking Instructors. When they arrived in beautiful Northern Michigan, home of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, they never envisioned that their Nordic Walking Certification Course would include bringing back a 5K "Gold Medal" to Orlando, Florida.

Kathe had personally seen the enthusiasm and high participation levels of Nordic Walking while visiting Europe. She and her partner Jim contacted SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System to see if they could partner with a North American company dedicated to quality Nordic Walking Poles and effective Nordic Walking Instruction.

They had researched a variety of Nordic Walking companies and manufactures. Many of the companies they contacted had amnesia when it came to where their 2-piece and 3-piece poles were made? Most likely they were all made in China.

After testing the one-piece EXEL Urban Skier Nordic Walking Poles sized specifically for each of their heights from SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System they knew they had found quality poles from a company dedicated to maintaining 100% positive satisfaction ratings. Quality one-piece Nordic Walking Poles are safer, lighter and stronger than cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece twist-lock and flip-lock collapsible poles. One-piece poles that are sized correctly don’t rattle, vibrate, collapse gradually or collapse unexpectedly. SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System offer 16 different standard lengths, while others may only offer three to six different lengths that can’t possibly provide the perfect length poles for most individuals.

EXEL, based in Finland, is credited for producing the first carbon composite ski racing poles and dominated the medal count at the Olympics for years. Then EXEL launched the first true Nordic Walking Poles when they produced the EXEL Nordic Walker poles. EXEL's Nordic Walking poles differed from other walking poles in that they were based on a cross country pole design/Nordic design - lighter and stronger than 2-piece and 3-piece collapsibles. Prior to the introduction of the EXEL Nordic Walker Poles, walking poles were based more on heavier alpine/downhill designs - similar to trekking poles.

All of the SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles from WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System are equipped with highly effective and comfortable fingerless glove type straps – patented by the Salomon Ski Company. Other types of walking poles may come with no straps, a simple loop strap or cheap velcro slings. Quality cross country ski poles are now all equipped with the more effective fingerless glove type straps – eliminating the need to grip the poles and effectively transmit power into the cradle of the straps through the heel of the hand. SWIX cross country racing poles dominated at the Olympics this year and all were equipped with fingerless glove type straps.

Individuals can experience some, but definitely not all of the many wonderful benefits of Nordic Walking with nearly any type of poles as long as they are sized correctly – downhill poles, cross country poles, trekking poles, ...... Many of my customers said they had experimented with yardsticks, two canes (too short, but better than one cane) and misc. yard tools. One of my favorite fitness instructors provides simple strapless bamboo sticks to help get his classes moving while he uses REAL Nordic Walking Poles and further explains their many advantages.

When someone is interested in Nordic Walking they should not run out and buy a cheap/flimsy pair of twist-lock or flip-lock poles to see if they will like Nordic Walking. They would be better off testing some old ski poles, two walking sticks or any thing handy that can give them a quick feel for walking with poles. I have been told by hundreds of happy customers that they could tell immediately that walking with poles was a huge improvement over regular walking, or walking with a cane, or even a walker.

The perfect length one-piece Nordic Walking Poles can help us all to automatically walk with a super straight back - better walking posture is biomechanically a good thing. This improved walking posture when combined with the unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action of walking with poles radically reduces the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Nordic Walking is low impact and yet provides a highly effective workout - burning more calories and working more muscle groups than regular walking.

Part of Jim and Kathe’s Nordic Walking Certification process included not only a review of the American Nordic Walking System, but required participation in a 5km Race. Unfortunately Jim was under the weather and missed out on the Annual Sleeping Bear 5k, but Kathe rose to the occasion and won a gold medal in her age group!

The Nordic Walking certification courses offered by The American Nordic Walking System differ hugely from other certification courses. The cost is much less. The courses are based on my 25 plus years of coaching experience (runners and skiers), my hosting of hundreds of Nordic Walking Classes and my introduction of Nordic Walking to thousands of individuals.

When I became a certified Nordic Walking Instructor I knew the desired answers to many of the test’s questions were incorrect. My running and ski background had taught me that alignment and proper biomechanics are critical. I knew that there should be NO “leaning” while Nordic Walking (flats or uphills), NO fake elongated strides and NO siting back on the downhills. Many DVD’s and books about Nordic Walking include a lot of leaning, elongated strides and sitting back. Plus many DVD'’ and books provide poor sizing information – claiming that you can simply take one’s height and multiply by .68 or .7 and come up with the perfect length poles for an individual’s height. Being a ski coach I know that skis and poles from different companies are not measured the same and using .68 or .7 would be wrong. The goal is to get that elbow and 90 degrees and the forearm parallel to the ground when standing tall.

Congratulations to Kathe for winning her Gold Medal while Nordic Walking in the Sleeping Bear 5K - over 700 runners, walkers and Nordic Walkers participated! And as soon as she completes the written portion of her certification process she will become a Level 1 Certified Nordic Walking Instructor! Upon completion of additional requirements (including more hands on teaching and acquiring additional student testimonies) she will become Level 2 Certified. And next year she may be ready to tackle Level 3 Nordic Walking Certification.

Nordic Walking Classes Return to NMC (Northwestern Michigan College)

On Wednesday, May 12, 2010, Nordic Walking Classes will return to Northwestern Michigan College’s Lifelong Learning Campus Day – a popular enrichment event designed especially for adults age 50 and over. Participants will select three sessions from over 30 unique options about the ever-changing world we live in—from our own challenges to local and regional issues, technology to area attractions and businesses, computer skills, wellness (including Nordic Ski Walking), travel, the arts, renewable energy, and more. Well-known community leaders and experts along with NMC faculty present insightful sessions.

The Nordic Ski Walking Class is scheduled during the 2nd session from: 11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. The Nordic Walking Class will include an introduction to the history of Nordic Walking, a review of the many benefits of Nordic Walking, an opportunity to test drive real Nordic Walking Poles and instruction based on the American Nordic Walking System.

Presenter Pete Edwards has introduced thousands of Americans to Nordic Walking. After hosting hundreds of Nordic Walking Clinics he developed the American Nordic Walking System - providing safe and effective instruction. The American Nordic Walking System was specifically designed to provide a variety of intensity and exertion levels. There is an ideal level of intensity and exertion for any ages and any fitness level. He also hosts free Nordic Walking Classes for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's (PD), Diabetes and Cardiac Rehabilitation Support Groups, plus Wounded Warrior Programs. He also has donated hundreds of his special Nordic Walking Poles to Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed, Fort Carson, Fort Lewis/Madigan/McChord and Vicenza, Italy

Lifelong Learning Campus Day participants enrolled in the Nordic Walking Classes will have the opportunity to test drive real SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles – sized specifically to each individual’s height. Edwards’ offers 14 different lengths of poles – more than any other company in North America. Edwards is committed to the simple fact that quality one-piece poles that are sized correctly prove to be safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece twist-lock or flip-lock collapsible poles.

Edwards has been coaching runners and skiers for over 25 years and knows for a fact that skiers use durable and dependable one-piece poles. Skiers do not use cheap/flimsy collapsible poles. Seniors and individuals with balance issues should especially avoid cheap/flimsy 2-piece twist-lock and flip-lock poles that can collapse unexpectedly, vibrate excessively, rattle and/or fail all together. Serious athletes and hikers can also depend on one-piece Nordic Walking Poles to out perform adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles.

For more information and to register for NMC’s Lifelong Learning Campus Day please contact the NMC Life Academy: 231-995-1700. Website: www.nmc.edu/ees/lifeacademy

The American Nordic Walking System and SKIWALKING.COM are headquartered in Glen Arbor, Michigan and ships Swix and Exel Nordic Walking Poles worldwide every day.

Contact Information: Pete Edwards - Owner/Founder/Coach - American Nordic Walking System and WWW.SKIWALKING.COM

Toll Free: 877-SKIWALKING or 877-754-9255

Swix Nordic Walking: http://www.swixnordicwalking.us/

Exel Nordic Walking: http://www.exelnordicwalking.com/

Nordic Walking Blog: http://nordicwalkingusa.blogspot.com/

Nordic Walking Blog USA: http://nordicwalkingusa.wordpress.com/

Nordic Walking Blog: http://nordicwalking.typepad.com/

Nordic Sports Blog: http://nordicsportsusa.blogspot.com/  

Email: getfit@SkiWalking.com

Many Nordic Walking Enthusiasts Started Out Using Old Ski Poles

Like myself, many of my customers launched their personal Nordic Walking campaigns using ski poles and then graduated to real Nordic Walking Poles.

Old ski poles work great on trails - especially if they are sized correctly. After my last running injury my ski poles provided a huge relief while hiking with poles on my favorite running trail. I already knew that ski poles worked great for ski walking and hill bounding - as a means to keep in shape and get ready for the next ski season. After coaching ski racers for over 25 years I knew that ski walking and hill bounding with poles, combined with running and roller skiing, were the secret weapons to prepare over the summer for another successful ski season.

One-piece ski poles, like one-piece Nordic Walking Poles, prove to be far superior to the cheap/flimsy twist-lock and flip-lock 2-piece and 3-piece Nordic Walking, trekking and snowshoe poles flooding the marketing from china.

One-piece ski poles and one-piece Nordic Walking Poles are safer, lighter and much more durable than  2-piece and 3-piece poles. One-piece Nordic Walking Poles have also proven to be lighter and much more user-friendly while hiking in the Grand Canyon. Skiers know that one-piece poles are better and skiers trust their one-piece poles.

At SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System we have 14 different lengths and we also custom build poles for individuals over 6' 7" (at no extra cost). We also offer a Perfect Length Guarantee.

While taking orders today, Judith, an enthusiastic 71 year young lady told me about her success with her ski poles this past winter while walking in her apartment and around the neighborhood. She mentioned that her ski poles were a huge improvement over her walker. She also informed me that she had PD (Parkinson's Disease). She had recently purchased some adjustable poles, but she said "they sucked" and then told me that she sent them back. She was delighted to find our company offers 14 different one-piece lengths. Her new Nordic Walking Poles are shipping out first thing tomorrow.

As Judith discovered, one-piece poles don't rattle, vibrate and/or collapse unexpectedly like the cheap/flimsy twist-locks and flip-locks from China do. I would recommend old ski poles, including the old bamboo poles, over these cheap/flimsy twist-lock and flip-lock poles coming in from China.

Be sure to ask where your poles are made. Judith's new SWIX Nordic Walking Poles are made in Lillehammer, Norway. Her poles are also equipped with comfortable patented straps (patented by the Salomon Ski Company) and include both durable carbide metal tips for trails, the beach snow and ice, plus removable rubber tips for pavement, carpet, tile and other hard surfaces.

Our company has donated hundreds of pairs of quality one-piece poles to the Wounded Warriors Programs. Once we know how tall a Wounded Warrior is we select the Perfect Length Poles for his/her height. While providing free Nordic Walking Classes for Wounded Warriors I quickly realized that they do not like their canes or walkers. The perfect length Nordic Walking Poles provided everyone that participated in our classes with improved walking posture (straighter back), plus greatly improved balance, stability and gait. Cheap/flimsy twist-lock and flip-lock poles could not hold up to the added stress put on the poles by the wounded warriors.

Walking with poles is the best, but be sure to avoid the cheap stuff from China and look for quality one-piece poles in the correct length for your height.