Thursday, November 25, 2010

Nordic Walking Poles and Classes Come To True Blue University

Nordic Walking at Calvin College's Prince Conference Center

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network of Michigan hosted True Blue University Programs this past fall at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, at the Sarvis Center in Flint, Lansing Community College and at Calvin College’s Prince Conference Center.

True Blue University is an educational event designed to help Blue Cross members learn about important topics like nutrition, Medicare, fitness and elder law. Participants had a variety of seminars to pick from and a diverse group of exhibitors were on hand too.

Free private and group Nordic Walking Classes were hosted by Pete Edwards, owner/founder, of WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System. Edwards and his company are based out of Glen Arbor, Michigan – in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Edwards is one of the few Nordic Walking Instructors that utilizes one-piece poles for all his classes. Edwards selects the perfect length one-piece poles for each participant. One-piece poles prove to be safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece twist-lock and flip-lock collapsible poles. WWW.SKIWALKING.COM offers 16 different lengths of quality SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles.

 At the first True Blue University event Edwards barely had time to set up his display because other exhibitors were so excited about his quality Nordic Walking Poles. Many participants found that Nordic Walking Poles really can turbo charge a typical walking campaign. The poles help to engage more muscle groups and assist in burning 20%-40% more calories than regular walking. Participants with knee, hip and/or back issues quickly discovered that the poles almost magically make joint pain go away. Individuals that are limited to a cane and/or walker discover that the poles radically improve balance, stability and gait.

Nordic Walking’s winning combination of improved posture, a unique 4-Wheel-Drive type action and shock absorbing benefits - helping many individuals to walk comfortably again. Nordic Walking Poles are helping 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.

Edwards especially enjoys hosting free Nordic Walking clinics for MS, Parkinson’s and Diabetes support groups, plus Wounded Warrior Programs too. Edwards and his Michigan company have donated hundreds of quality one-piece poles to Wounded Warrior Programs at Walter Reed, Fort Lewis/Madigan/McChord, Fort Carson, Vicenza in Italy and Kaiserslautern Military Community in Germany.

Edwards has been coaching runners and skiers for over 25 years. He has been teaching Nordic Walking Classes for 6 years and has hosted hundreds of Nordic Walking Classes. He ships SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles out of Glen Arbor every day.

Walking with poles is the best!