Nordic Walking Classes Return To Grand Traverse County’s Annual Employee Wellness Expo

 

Nordic Walking Classes will again be offered at the annual Grand Traverse County Employee Wellness Expo. Pete Edwards the owner/founder/coach of SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nodic Walking System will offer free Nordic Walking Lessons and free Nordic Walking Pole test-drives. The Wellness Expo will be held at the Traverse City Civic Center from 11:15 am to1:45 pm on Friday, August 20th.

 

Real Nordic Walking Poles will be provided – one-piece poles from SWIX and EXEL. Edwards has been coaching runners and skiers for over 25 years and knows for a fact that one-piece poles that are sized correctly prove to be safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap/flimsy twist-lock and flip-lock poles from China. Just go to REI’s website and check out all of the poor reviews for twist-lock and flip-lock poles. Most of these cheap/flimsy poles are made in China. Skiers don’t use cheap/flimsy twist-lock or flip-lock poles because they are inferior to one-piece poles that are sized correctly.

 

Edwards’ offers 16 different lengths of Real Nordic Walking Poles in lightweight and stable pairs. Edwards also can custom build user-friendly and quality poles for individuals over 6′ 7″. Edwards refuses to charge extra for custom built poles. And he refuses to falsely promote collapsible/telescoping poles over proven superior one-piece poles.

 

Edward’s also donates Real Nordic Walking Poles to Wounded Warrior Programs in the USA and Europe. Edwards has donated hundreds of pairs of his SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles to Wounded Warriors stationed at Walter Reed, Fort Lewis/Madigan/McChord, Fort Carson, Vicenza in Italy and Kaiserslautern Military Community in Germany.

 

Edwards is aware that twist-lock and flip-lock poles are sold under the false impression that they fit all sizes. That false claim makes cheap 2-piece and 3-piece poles an easy sell, but the quality of these poles is often terrible. Edwards is also aware that the customer satisfaction ratings for cheap/flimsy twist-lock and flip-lock poles are extremely low despite the hype about collapsible poles being able to fit all heights (false statement in that most collapsible poles do not extend tall enough for individuals over six feet).

 

Despite the hype that collapsible poles are supposedly better for travel is the simple fact that most two-piece poles don’t fit into most travel bags.

 

Despite the hype that collapsible poles are necessary for hilly terrain, another false statement, is the simple fact that one-piece poles are lighter and superior to cheap twist-lock and flip-lock poles. Check out this blog article that clarifies the truth about the best poles for use in hilly terrain: http://nordicsportsusa.blogspot.com

 

There is also a lot of hype about collapsible poles being better for travel – another typical false statement in that most 2-piece poles don’t fit into today’s travel bags. And 3-piece poles come equipped with two twist-locks or flip-locks and prove to be twice the hassle and headache.

 

The perfect length poles help us 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.

 

Edwards has hosted Nordic Walking Clinics for expert skiers, sport teams, running clubs, walking clubs, individuals with balance issues, knee issues or new knees, hip issues or new hips, back issues (including those with rods in their back), weight issues, multiple sclerosis (MS), parkinson’s (PD), neuropathy, arthritis, bursitis, scoliosis, lumbar stenosis, fibromyalgia, post polio, osteoporosis, stroke recovery, cancer recovery and other limitations to walking. Nordic Walking poles are helping thousands of Americans get off the couch, successfully get outside, start walking safely and effectively launch much needed walking campaigns.

 

Don’t get scammed by cheap twist-lock and flip-lock pole from China. Please go to SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System for more information about Nordic Walking and the many health benefits of walking with poles. We offer 16 different lengths of quality SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles – not just 3 sizes or 6 sizes that can’t possibly provide the perfect length poles for individuals looking for the real deal in Nordic Walking Poles.

 

Walking with poles is the best!

 

 

REAL Swix and Exel Nordic Walking Poles

REAL Nordic Walking Poles from WWW.SKIWALKING.COM

Nordic Walking The Beach – Perfect Length Poles Improve Balance and Stability

 

 

 

REAL Nordic Walking Poles

The Perfect Length Nordic Walking Poles help us 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.

World-class skiers have been ski walking with their poles during the summer when deprived of snow for decades. And now thanks to the perfect length Nordic Walking Poles and the correct Nordic Walking technique, seniors and individuals with balance issues can burn more calories, receive a more effective workout than regular walking and experience a reduction of stress to the weight bearing joints – all thanks to the improved walking posture provided by the Perfect Length Nordic Walking Poles, the correct Nordic Walking technique and selection of the ideal level of exertion and intensity.

At SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System there are three basic levels of exertion and intensity to choose from – from casual to intense.

Here are the three basic levels:

Level 1: Casually walking, trekking and hiking with the poles is healthy and good – burning over 20% more calories than regular walking! Remember to keep your chin up, fingers relaxed and poles slightly angled back. Each pole plants inline with the opposing foot’s heel – alternating and never out in front unless going down a steep hill. When done correctly you will immediately notice your improved posture – walking taller and with a straighter back –naturally and not having to think about it.

* Level 1 With A Punch: Continue to keep those fingers relaxed – DON”T grip the poles. Take advantage of our comfortable Nordic Walking Straps – patented by the Salomon Ski Company. Feel the pressure in the heel of your hand effectively being distributed into the cradle of the strap verses squeezing and gripping the poles. Punch the rubber Nordic Walking tips/asphalt paws into the road/walking surface. This additional punch will beef up the effectiveness of Level 1.

Level 2: Requires the arms to fully stretch out and slightly down, keeping the poles slightly less angled back and almost perpendicular. This full arm extension will help to burn over 30% more calories than regular walking! You will find that your walking pace will speed up and your stride will naturally lengthen. Never fake a long stride – allow it to happen naturally. Keep your chin up and fingers relaxed! Shifting from Level 1 to Level 2 is like shifting gears in a car. Level 2 reinforces improved walking posture when done correctly. Again, the poles are NEVER planted in front of the lead heel unless your are descending a steep hill.

* Level 2 With A Punch: A little punch goes a long way. Utilize that full arm extension and combine it with a nice little punch – punch the rubber tip into the walking surface while keeping the fingers relaxed and NOT gripping the poles (pressure is in the cradle of the comfortable patented straps).

Level 3: Includes the full reach + a firm pole plant (don’t be gentle), constant pressure from the heel of the hand into the strap and a follow-through push when the hand lines up with the hips. Level 3 is big in Europe, but most Americans don’t want to be bothered. Level three burns over 40% more calories than regular walking. Level 3 requires maximum push and can only be effectively done with real Nordic Ski Walking. And remember the poles are NEVER planted in front of the lead heel unless your are descending a steep hill.

Individuals With Balance Issues: For individuals with balance, stability and/or gait issues it is recommended to keep the poles straight up and down – perpendicular to the ground. Do NOT focus on the arm movement as much as on enjoying the added balance and stability provided by the poles. Remember to NOT squeeze the poles – take advantage of the comfortable patented straps and keep your finger relaxed (no white knuckling of the pole grips!). Nordic Ski Walking is no longer just for athletes and expert skiers – Nordic Walking with one-piece poles is ideal for folks using canes and walkers too – including those with MS, Parkinson’s and Neuropathy.

For those with balance issues that wonder if Nordic Walking is doable for them I always ask how they feel “pushing a shopping cart”? If they say that the shopping cart is super comfortable then their new Nordic Walking Poles will prove to be even better – more comfortable and much more versatile.

At SKIWALKING.COM and The American Nordic Walking System we are committed to providing our customers with quality poles and helpful instructions. Our 100% positive customer satisfaction ratings are a result of our decision to provide quality SWIX and EXEL one-piece Nordic Walking Poles over short-term profits. We NEVER recommend 2-piece or 3-piece collapsible poles for seniors, anyone with a balance issue or for everyday use. As skiers we know that quality one-piece poles are safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap/flimsy twist-lock and flip-lock collapsible poles.

I love hosting free Nordic Walking classes for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s (PD) and Diabetes support groups, plus Wounded Warrior Programs. I would never consider using 2-piece or 3-piece collapsible poles in any of my Nordic Walking Classes.

The benefits of walking with poles are many and ideal for ALL ages and ALL fitness levels.

Walking with poles is the best!