National Trails Day and Nordic Walking – a Perfect Fit

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011 at 5:32 pm

The goal was to get more Americans off the couch and out walking. Once more Americans start walking they will have a deeper appreciation for our wonderful trail systems throughout the USA.

The American Nordic Walking System and www.skiwalking.com are headquartered in Glen Arbor, Michigan – home of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Free Nordic Ski Walking lessons were offered in Glen Arbor and free Nordic Ski Walking pole rentals were available for walking in town, on the beach, on the dunes or out on many of the beautiful trails within the adjacent Sleeping Bear Dunes Area.

Real Nordic Ski Walking poles are equipped with comfortable straps – kind of like a fingerless glove. The poles also include removable rubber tips for walking on pavement and other hard surfaces. For hiking off-road the rubber tips twist and pull off – exposing the durable carbide metal tips that are ideal for your favorite trail, the beach, snow and ice.

Over 6 million Europeans are walking with poles – in the cities, in the country and in the mountains. Nordic Ski Walking is the fastest growing fitness activity in Europe. Walking with poles burns more calories than regular walking – up to 40% more calories. The poles, your arms and the comfortable straps also help to reduce stress to the shins, knees, hips and back.

Originally Ski Walking was only embraced by serious skiers deprived of snow and as a means to get ready for the next ski season. Next came trekking poles – radically reducing the stress to the knees and backs of backpackers, but the twist-lock systems on the adjustable length poles often failed. Ski coaches in Finland saw the benefits of Ski Walking and introduced “Nordic Walking” to the masses. They developed durable one-piece poles with special fingerless glove type straps and added removable rubber tips to the poles so that Nordic Walking can be done on any type of surface.

One-piece poles custom fit to each individual’s height are safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap twist-locking adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles. The free rental poles provided by The American Nordic Walking System and www.skiwalking.com on National Trails Day will all be one-piece poles complete with real Nordic Walking Straps.

Nordic Walking poles are even helping individuals with balance issues get out walking again – including folks with MS, Parkinson’s, Neuropathy, Arthritis, Post Polio and other challenges. Folks with balance issues should especially avoid cheap tist-locking adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles. One-piece poles provide added balance and stability. When using the perfect length poles and correct technique the Nordic Walking Poles are almost always preferred over canes and walkers. The 4-wheel-drive type action also allows folks with knee, hip and back issues to take up walking again. Added comfort and stability means more individuals can get out and enjoy the trails.

We are looking forward to the 2009 National Trails Day!

Pete Edwards has been coaching runners and skiers of all ages and fitness levels for over 25 years. Edwards is a former ski school director, running coach, personal trainer and the owner/founder of The American Nordic Walking System and SKIWALKING.COM Nordic Walking Poles, headquartered in Glen Arbor, Michigan. Edwards has coached State Champions (individuals + teams), All-Americans and National Champions. He has also introduced Nordic Walking to thousands of Americans through Nordic Walking clinics, radio interviews, newspaper interviews and TV interviews. He has skied in 50K marathons and run 26.2 miles marathons. His skiers have been hill bounding and ski walking with poles for years in the summer when deprived of snow. Hosting Nordic Walking clinics is extremely enjoyable for Edwards and he especially enjoys hosting Nordic Walking clinics for MS and Parkinson’s support groups.

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