World Diabetes Day - fresh air, exercise and a healthy diet is the logical solution for millions! Nordic Walking could be part of the success?

Today is World Diabetes Day. Exercise and a healthier diet would radically reduce the pain and suffering of millions suffering from Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for at least 90% of all cases of diabetes. I have had many customers eliminate or reduce their meds thanks to their SWIX Nordic Walking Poles and an improved diet. Walking with poles burns more calories and reduces the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Some of my happy customers have walked off over 100 pounds. Fresh air, walking and a healthier diet - a WINNING combination. For more info about World Diabetes Day check out http://www.idf.org/worlddiabetesday/about

The benefits of daily exercise are huge.

Nordic Walking with the Perfect Length Poles and the correct technique is often the answer for athletes, those with weight issues, balance issues, joint issues, ............ The amazing 4-wheel drive action turbo charges walking for athletes and makes walking doable and comfortable for many that are typically uncomfortable due to aches and pains. Often the poles will totally reduce or eliminate those aches and pains. The poles also radically improve balance and stability for those with balance issues too.

As a ski coach I can not recommend collapsible poles with twist-locks or flip-locks. One-piece Nordic walking poles that are sized correctly will always prove to be safer, lighter, stronger, more durable and much more user-friendly than cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles that tend to rattle, vibrate, gradually collapse or fail unexpectedly altogether.

Encourage everyone you know to lead a healthier and a more active lifestyle. A sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy. Unhealthy is unhappy.

We would cut our medical costs here in the USA by billions if everyone would walk or exercise for at least a 1/2 hour everyday.

Lets hope for a huge decrease in Diabetes when World Diabetes Day comes around again in 2014.

Nordic Walking Classes Return To Traverse City's Annual Diabetes Day Open House April 10th, 2013

Nordic Walking (walking with special fitness poles for a better workout and improved balance) will once again be a part of this annual free event sponsored by Munson Medical Center Diabetes Education. See the latest in blood glucose meters, insulin pump therapy and learn about the newest therapies and medications. Munson Medical Center Diabetes Educators and others will provide information and education materials including carbohydrate counting, recipes with taste-testing, exercise options, medications, accessing health resources at the Community Health Library and much more. Local physicians will also be on hand to answer questions regarding diabetes management. For more information, call (231) 935-8200 or visit munsonhealthcare.org

Location: Bayview Wesleyan Church, Traverse City, Michigan

Originally Nordic Walking or Ski Walking was a sport for skiers deprived of snow during the summer months. Dryland training with poles has always played a key role for skiers trying to stay in shape for the upcoming ski season. These skiers exclusively have used one-piece poles for their hiking, trekking, running, ski walking, hill-bounding and roller skiing.

One-piece poles always prove superior over cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles that are flooding the market from China with a lot of false promises and marketing hype. Seniors and anyone with a balance issue should NEVER use cheap/flimsy collapsible poles with wimpy plastic flip-locks or twist-locks. One-piece poles will always prove superior.

The poles being used for all of the Nordic Walking Classes during the Diabetes Day Open House will be one-piece poles and sized for each individuals height. Nationally renowned fitness expert and coach Pete Edwards will be on hand to provide the free lessons and the free use of quality Nordic Walking Poles (not collapsible poles). These quality poles often replace the use of canes and/or walkers for those with balance issues. Individuals with neuropathy have found huge success walking with one-piece poles that are sized correctly and when instructed with the correct technique. Edwards speciality is finding the Perfect Length Poles for individuals and teaching the best technique for each individuals situation. Edwards provides safe, user-friendly and doable techniques for all ages and all fitness levels.

World Headquarters for WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System is located in the back hills of Empire, Michigan. The company ships it quality Nordic Walking Poles all over the world everyday from HQ.

Everyday Edwards receives thank you cards and thank you emails from happy customers. Here is one happy customers comments that came this week:

Hi there - I have been Nordic walking since 2008, started at age 50. Living with Diabetes, I have found that Nordic walking has helped me to control my diabetes, and it has enabled me to get off two insulin needles a day. Since turning age 50, 5 years ago, I am presently training for my 10th half-marathon, Nordic Walking. I took the course to be certified by the INWA as a Nordic Walker instructor and have taught the sport to various locations throughout the province of New Brunswick. In 2008, I was asked by the Premier of New Brunswick to be a Lifestyle Leader to encourage other folks that live with diabetes

I love the Nordic walking sport and I use the Exel poles daily.

Fresh air and exercise can help individuals find similar success. Nordic Walking Poles can help get you off the couch and out the door walking effectively and successfully.

For more information contact WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System.

GETFIT@SKIWALKING.COM

231-334-3080

Nordic Walking With Neuropathy - REAL Nordic Walking Poles Can Help With All Types Of Balance Issues

Nordic Walking Poles when sized correctly and when using the proper technique can radically improve balance and stability. Using the Perfect Length Poles is much more comfortable than using a cane, a walker and  or pushing a shopping cart.

REAL Nordic Walking Poles are equipped with removable rubber tips or asphalt paws. These rubber tips act as shock absorbers and silencers - eliminating the noise that the poles metal tips would normally make while walking on pavement and other hard surfaces. If the roads are snow covered remove the rubber tips and take advantage of the metal tip - much like a ski pole.

Actually REAL Nordic Walking Poles are similar to quality one-piece ski poles. Thousands of stores and online retailers are selling and promoting cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles equipped with twist locks or flip locks - they are poor imitations from China of the real thing. Cheap/flimsy collapsible poles rattle, vibrate, gradually collapse or fail altogether. Quality one-piece poles not only have the rubber tips included, but they have special fingerless glove straps - patented by the Salomon Ski Company. The cheap/flimsy collapsible poles from China either have no straps, old fashion loop straps or velcro slings that are not the real deal.

Quality one-piece poles need to be selected for each individual's specific height. Perfect Length Poles radically improve balance and stability.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.

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),diabetes, 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.

The only source for quality one-piece Nordic Walking Poles in North America is WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System. 16 different lengths of both SWIX of Norway and EXEL of Finland Nordic Walking Poles are available. These are the same quality poles used by world class athletes in downhill and cross country skiing. Cheap/flimsy collapsible poles would fall apart when used for downhill or cross country skiing. Cheap/flimsy collapsible poles are not recommended for daily use for walking either. Seniors and anyone with balance issues should also avoid cheap/flimsy collapsible poles from China. Don't believe the marketing hype behind collapsible poles.

One-piece walking poles that are sized correctly will always prove to be safer, lighter, stronger, much more durable and much more user-friendly.

The Nordic Walking Scam And The Lip Stick On A Pig Thing

Unfortunately at the holidays thousands of well meaning Americans order walking poles for their spouse or parents not knowing that poles that they just ordered were nothing close to real Nordic Walking Poles. By total accident they ordered cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles that were marketed as "real Nordic Walking Poles" but were in reality just cheap/flimsy telescoping/collapsible/adjustable length poles mass produced in China. Sure these cheap/flimsy poles came with a lot marketing hype and many had "Nordic Walking" printed on them, but were they really the ideal choice for the targeted audience? NO - these cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles are not ideal for every day use or for seniors or for anyone with a balance issue. Only quality one-piece poles equipped with real Nordic Walking Straps are the real deal. In North America the only one-piece poles equipped with REAL Nordic Walking Straps are made by SWIX and EXEL - both are available from WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System.

Big Box Stores also stock those cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles from China. Many of the floor models at these big box stores are defective and just spin for infinity - never tightening and allowing them to be taken for a test drive. Quality one-piece poles don't have that problem. And the only source in North America for real Nordic Walking Poles in 16 different lengths is WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System.

Cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles vary in price from $20.00 per pair to $200.00 per pair. They all tend to rattle, vibrate, gradually collapse or fail unexpectedly. REAL Nordic Walking Poles are a one-piece design and are custom fit to your height. Companies that offer only 6 or less different lengths of poles are unable to provide the Perfect Length Poles to their customers. At WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System we offer 16 different standard lengths and also custom fit those in-between sizes and back it all up with  a Perfect Length Guarantee. Prices start at a reasonable $69.95 per pair for a complete package that includes the Perfect Length Poles, free Nordic Walking DVD, printed instructions, patented comfortable straps (patented by the Salomon Ski Company), durable metal tips (for snow, ice, trails, grass, the beach and the sand dunes), removable rubber tips/asphalt paws for pavement and hard surfaces, .......

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.

At WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System we offer both SWIX Nordic Walking Poles from Norway and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles from Finland. These quality Nordic Walking Poles are the real thing and not cheap/flimsy crap from China.

Many of our customers accidentally purchased or were given as a well meaning gift 2-piece or 3-piece collapsible poles. Many of these poles came right from the store or online retailer with defective twist-locks or flip-locks and the poles couldn't be set at the proper length - they just kept spinning and twisting without catching and tightening as advertised. Luckily, many of these disgruntled individuals found us and our hassle free one-piece Nordic Walking Poles - Real Nordic Walking Poles.

The mass produced and inexpensive 2-piece and 3-piece poles are all made in the same factories in China and all have a typically short life span due to their cheap/flimsy design. Typically these imitation Nordic Walking Poles either come with no straps or old-fashion/cheap loop straps or velco slings that are no where near as effective and comfortable as real Nordic Walking Straps. All of the straps on our SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles are the comfortable patented fingerless glove type straps. These are REAL Nordic Walking Straps - patented by the Salomon Ski Company.

Cheap/flimsy mass produced poles are often identical the to "free" poles often included in SnowShoe packages. And these cheap/flimsy snowshoe poles have the worst reputation. This past week one of my new customers said that his new $140 Leki poles (made in China) vibrated even more than his cheap snowshoe poles. Clearly showing that 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles will NEVER come close to the quality and positive performance of one-piece poles that are sized correctly.

Skiers, Ski Shops and Ski Rental Shops all know that 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles wouldn't hold up for downhill or cross country skiing. These same cheap/flimsy poles should never be sold to seniors or anyone with a balance issues. Only quality one-piece poles can provide the added safety, strength and user-friendly advantages.

Don't get scammed by cheap/flimsy collapsible poles. If you did return them. And don't be embarrassed that you fell for all that lipstick and marketing hype put into those cheap/flimsy collapsible poles from China. Tons of lipstick on a pig doesn't make that pig something that it isn't. Real Nordic Walking Poles are a quality one-piece design and at WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System we sincerely feel that it is an ethical violation to sell seniors and those with balance issues cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles. We only recommend quality one-piece poles for walking, hiking, treking, downhill skiing (alpine), Nordic skiing (skate and classic cross country skiing), snowshoeing, roller skiing and Nordic blading (inline skating).

The Best Nordic Walking Poles For Tall Individuals

I just took an order over the phone from a new customer that is 6' 5 1/2" inches tall. He asked if we had poles that would work for his height and with all honesty I was able to say yes we have quality one-piece poles perfect for his height. Here at WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System we carry 16 standard pole lengths and we can custom fit individuals in-between sizes.

I assured this new customer that 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles would not work for someone that tall. He commented that he had just gotten off the phone with a company that assured him that their collapsible poles would work just fine. The sad but true thing about collapsible poles is that they are horrible for even in the height range they are designed for and they are extremely horrible for those outside the range. When you extend an already cheap/flimsy pair of collapsible poles to their maximum setting they are then at their weakest, most bendy and most unreliable setting. And even at their tallest setting the poles would be way to short for someone 6' 5 1/2".

Ideally the Perfect Length Poles put the elbow at about 90 degrees and the forearm parallel to the ground when the individual is standing tall and strapped into the poles. It just goes to show that the companies selling these cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles are just out to sell and don't care if the poles fit correctly or not. The few other companies that carry one-piece poles here in North America only carry 5 or 6 different lengths at most and they can't fit the majority of Americans with such a small size curve. We carry 16 different lengths of SWIX and EXEL poles. There are tons of poles on the market, but there are very few quality poles out there. SWIX and EXEL poles are the most respected in Europe - for walking and for skiing.

After hosting hundreds of Nordic Walking classes and clinics during the past eight years I have developed a pretty good feel for sizing everyone into the Perfect Length Poles. ALL my customers receive a perfect length guarantee. ALL 16 sizes are in-stock and ready to ship. Once I know how tall someone is I personally select the perfect length poles for their height.

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.

Don't get scammed by the cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles from China flooding the market - they are online and in every big box store. One-piece poles from SWIX of Norway and EXEL of Finland will always prove to be safer, lighter, stronger, more durable and much more user-friendly than all the flimsy collapsible poles priced from $20.00 - $200.00 per pair. Seniors and individuals with balance issues should NEVER use collapsible poles - but the companies promoting them will gladly sell you a pair. Most individuals looking for Nordic Walking Poles are sold "trekking" poles by accident too. Those collapsible poles don't have the real Nordic Walking Straps and they don't usually have the rubber tips/asphalt paws for pavement. Collapsible poles have plastic twist-lock and flip-lock mechanisms

Skiwalking.com LLC and the American Nordic Walking System have 100% positive satisfaction ratings because we provide the quality SWIX and EXEL one-piece poles with a Perfect Length Guarantee. We don't scam our customers with collapsible poles. We always recommend sturdy and user-friendly one-piece poles that are sized correctly.

Nordic Walking Success - With COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common lung diseases. It makes it difficult to breathe.

Walking with the perfect length poles and the correct technique can radically improve the walking campaigns for those suffering from COPD. When using the correct length one-piece Nordic Walking Poles we automatically stand taller, with the hips forward and the shoulders back. Keep your fingers relaxed (don't grip, squeeze or white knuckle the pole grips) and our chin up. Be sure your poles are one-piece and that they are equipped with the fingerless glove type straps. These are the real Nordic Walking Straps and they are patented by the Salomon Ski Company. They can be found on all SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles - quality one-piece poles. Other poles include no straps, simple loop straps or cheap velcro slings and are equipped with cheap/flimsy twist-locks or flip-locks that attempt to hold the collapsible pole pieces together.

Students in my classes that have inhalers have NEVER needed to stop and use them - even on 2-mile hikes and mile long hills. Quality Nordic Walking Poles can really help make walking doable and more fun for those suffering from COPD and/or asthma.

Individuals with COPD and/or asthma should avoid cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles regardless of the marketing hype behind them. Typically collapsible poles are much heavier, they tend to rattle, vibrate, gradually collapse or unexpectedly fail altogether. The twist-locks and flip-locks are not user-friendly and are often reported to have failed. Heavier collapsible poles are not a good idea for seniors, anyone with a balance issue or those with COPD. One-piece poles that are sized correctly will always prove to be lighter, safer, stronger, much more durable and much more user-friendly than poles from China with twist-locks and flip-locks.

At WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System the SWIX and EXEL poles come in 16 different lengths and come with a Perfect Length Guarantee. We also have special instructions for those with balance issues.

A happy customer ordered another pair of our Nordic Walking Poles for herself yesterday. A friend of hers insisted that because of her COPD she couldn't walk the 1/2 mile to view a waterfall. She reluctantly tried her friend's SWIX Nordic Walking Poles and was shocked to discover that she could cover the whole mile so effortlessly. She hijacked the poles and happily refused to return them. We shipped out a replacement pair the same day we heard the story.

Everyday we hear similar success stories. Success stories regarding: 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.

Many of our new customers accidentally purchased collapsible poles from other sources or received them as a gift and found that one or both of the twist-locks or flip-locks was defective. They loved the concept of walking with poles but had huge problems with the twist-locks or flip-locks. Problems with twist-locks and flip-locks on 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles is typical. And that is why we insist that quality one-piece poles will always prove to be safer, lighter, stronger and much more user-friendly - always.

Nordic Walking in the USA and Canada

The articles published this year in Prevention Magazine and in the Mayo Clinics’ newsletters have encouraged thousands of individuals all across North America to seriously look into Nordic Walking and the many wonderful benefits of walking with poles. The maximum benefits however come from walking correctly, walking with the correct length poles and walking with quality equipment. Nordic Walking Poles are no longer just for expert skiers deprived of snow during the summer - the poles also radically improve balance and stability, plus reduce the stress to the knees, hips and back.

Unfortunately thousands flocked to discount stores, big box and even sport shops in search of walking poles. Thousands more bought poles online. All assumed they were purchasing suitable, user-friendly and durable walking poles. Most came home with or were shipped cheap/flimsy collapsible two-piece or three-piece telescoping poles. Most made in China and most were actually trekking poles equipped with simple loop straps that have nothing to do with Nordic Walking. And many of the poles that were marketed as Nordic Walking Poles either didn’t have a straps of any sort or the poles were equipped with cheap Velcro slings inferior to a real pair of fingerless glove type Nordic Walking Straps.

Individuals with balance issues should NEVER use cheap/flimsy collapsible poles because they not only tend to rattle, vibrate and gradually collapse, but because they are reported to fail and collapse without warning. The twist-locks and flip-locks on collapsible poles just can’t be trusted. That is why skiers refuse to use them for skiing or Nordic Walking.

Most of the readers of these wonderful Nordic Walking articles (that appeared in Prevention Magazine and the Mayo Clinic’s newsletters) actually had balance issues, joint issues, weight issues or other issues that restrict their walking campaigns. Seniors should never use 2-piece or 3-piece collapsible poles. Seniors and individuals with balance should only use sturdy one-piece poles that are sized specifically to their heights. At the American Nordic Walking System and WWW.SKIWALKING.COM there are 16 different lengths of quality one-piece poles available to ensure a perfect fit.

I always ask potential new customers with walking restrictions if they feel the most comfortable walking while pushing a shopping cart and 99.99% respond with an enthusiastic “yes, of course.” Quality one-piece poles that are sized correctly will always prove to be safer, lighter, more durable and much more user-friendly than falsely marketed collapsible poles.

At the American Nordic Walking System and WWW.SKIWALKING.COM we supply quality one-piece poles made by SWIX of Norway and EXEL of Finland. All of our poles are equipped with the real Nordic Walking Straps – not loop straps and definitely not Velcro slings. I personally use these straps every single day attached to quality one-piece poles. I use them while teaching Nordic Walking classes and when I’m out exercising – hiking with poles on the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, running hills – Nordic Running, roller skiing with longer poles and when the snow flies both my classic and skate cross country skis have the same awesome fingerless glove type straps – patented by the Salomon Ski Company (a real sign of quality).

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.

For more info about quality SWIX Nordic Walking Poles: www.swixnordicwalking.com

For more info about quality EXEL Nordic Walking Poles: www.exelnordicwalking.com

Contact phone # here at WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System: 231-334-3080

Nordic Walking Size Charts - a bad idea and basically silly

I came across an article posted on the Nordic Walking News Blog and the sizing chart in this article is the worst one I have ever come across. Other sizing charts are off, but this one is horrible. There are no 110cm poles or 105cm poles listed. No 140cm poles either. The silliest thing about including a sizing chart to begin with is that ski and walking pole manufacturers, just like ski manufacturers, measure their skis and poles differently. And all the junk walking poles flooding the market from China are sized all over the place - no consistency at all. Size charts are basically worthless. All these supposed Nordic Walking "experts" are ignorant of this basic fact and include size charts in their articles, videos and even in their books. And just as ignorantly these supposed Nordic Walking Experts promote cheap/flimsy collapsible poles.

At WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System we ship REAL one-piece Nordic Walking Poles all over the world every day and all we need to know is the height of the individual to select the Perfect Length Poles for their height. We back up our sizing expertise with a Perfect Length Guarantee. All of our quality poles also come with a LifeTime Breakage Guarantee and a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Every day we hear from new customers that were unhappy with their cheap/flimsy 2-piece or 3-piece collapsible poles from other sources. Their original poles rattled, vibrated, gradually collapsed or unexpectedly collapsed all together. They are always excited about the improved quality of their new one-piece poles that we are shipping out to them and they can't wait for them to arrive. And we ship fast.

In North America you can not find quality one-piece Nordic Walking Poles in stores. You can find a lot of cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles from China, but rarely quality poles and never REAL one-piece poles sized correctly to each individual's height. Quality one-piece SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles in 16 different lengths can be found at WWW.SKIWALKING.COM

Seniors and those with balance issues should NEVER use cheap/flimsy collapsible poles. SWIX or EXEL one-piece Nordic Walking poles, when sized correctly, will always prove to safer, lighter, stronger and much more user-friendly than collapsible poles. Skiers know that one-piece poles will prove superior in every condition and every situation. As a ski coach I know for a fact that cheap collapsible poles are totally inferior to quality one-piece poles.

After hosting hundreds of Nordic Walking classes and clinics during the past eight years I have developed a pretty good feel for sizing everyone into the correct length poles. ALL my customers receive a perfect length guarantee. ALL sizes are in-stock and ready to ship. Once I know how tall someone is I personally select the perfect length poles for their height.

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.

Please let me know if you have any questions at any time.

Have a great day! Nordic Ski Walking is the best,

Pete - owner/founder/coach The American Nordic Walking System and WWW.SKIWALKING.COM  Nordic Walking Poles

Email: GETFIT@SKIWALKING.COM

Phone: 231-334-3080

Nordic Walking Coming to Diabetes Day Open House

Nordic Walking returns to the annual Diabetes Day Open House on Wednesday, April 11, from 1 - 3 pm at the Bayview Wesleyan in Traverse City, MI.

Nordic Walking Poles can help to making walking more comfortable and much more effective. Free lessons will be offered again this year at the Diabetes Open House.
Quality one-piece SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles from WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System will be available for free demo - sized correctly to each individual's height.. These are not the cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles flooding the market from China. Collapsible poles rattle, vibrate and often their twist-locks or flip-locks fail.

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.

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.

At the Diabetes Expo you will also receive updated information and educational materials to help control blood sugar. See the latest in blood glucose meters, insulin pump therapy, and learn about the newest therapies and medications. Munson Medical Center diabetes educators will provide carbohydrate counting information, taste-testing, recipes, and meter maintenance (bring yours for an accuracy check). Learn about heart health, exercise options, how to use Community Health Library resources, talk with a Munson pharmacist about your medications, and more.

This free event is sponsored by Munson Medical Center Diabetes Education. Physicians will be on hand to answer questions. For more information about the Diabetes Day Open House, call (231) 935-8200 or visit munsonhealthcare.org

For more information about Nordic Ski Walking go to WWW.SKIWALKING.COM or call (231) 334-3080

Nordic Walking During The Holidays

Even Santa Claus knows enough to get out the Nordic Walking Poles and get more bang for his exercise time - burning more calories than regular walking and radically reducing the stress to that old football injury. And of course being Nordic himself, Nordic Walking Poles only make sense any time of year.

Over the holidays we all tend to eat and drink more while exercising a little less. Sure fine-tuned athletes can get away with that, but the rest of us can't afford it.

According to the Surgeon General "the enemy is within us - being sedentary. Walking is the biggest bang for our buck. Thirty minutes a day of walking will prevent many cases of diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases. Walking is the simplest, easiest way for most people."

Originally Ski Walking was reserved for elite cross country ski racers deprived of snow. These skiers in the know used and still use exclusively one-piece poles that are sized to their specific heights. While roller skiing today I used durable one-piece poles and knew for a fact that cheap/flimsy collapsible poles would have been a horrible choice for this fun, but intense workout. One-piece poles in ALL situations will prove to be safer, lighter and much more user-friendly than cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles equipped with twist-clocks or flip-locks that are mostly made in China. Many of my happy customers no longer use their old canes and/or walkers. The correct Nordic Walking technique and the Perfect Length Poles have enabled many of my customers to walk taller, with more confidence, with less pain and walk longer distances more comfortably thanks to their user-friendly and reliable one-piece Nordic Walking Poles.

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.

At WWW.SKIWALKING.COM LLC and the American Nordic Walking System we offer 16 different lengths of quality one-piece poles. These poles are ideal for all ages and all fitness levels. I just got off the phone with happy customer that found Nordic Walking everyday helped to relieve her back pain. She had tried collapsible poles and couldn't get the left pole to stay in position - a common problem with all collapsible poles regardless of price. Most of the collapsible poles flooding the market are from China.

Our quality one-piece Nordic Walking Poles are made by SWIX of Norway and by EXEL of Finland. These real Nordic Walking Poles are found exclusively in North America at WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System – World Headquarters based in Empire, Michigan.

So during the holidays get out and try to walk that 1/2 hour a day that the surgeon general suggests - with or without poles, just get out and walk.

Happy Holidays!

Nordic Walking With The Piping Plovers In the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

One of the best ways to tour the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is with hiking poles. The 4-wheel drive action works great in the sand. The poles eliminate back-pain that many encounter when walking on the sand dunes or along the beach.

This summer we Ski Walked past several marked nesting areas of the Piping Plover - an endangered shorebird slightly smaller and shorter legged then the killdeer.

The greatest concentration of Piping Plovers in the Great Lakes occurs at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. More info about the Piping Plover can be found here: http://www.nps.gov/slbe/naturescience/pipingplover.htm

My favorite Ski Walk this summer has been up at Glen Haven - the views are spectacular. The route passes through a ghost tree forest.

My favorite wooded trail in the Sleeping Bear Dunes Area is up on Alligator Hill with a trailhead located behind Glen Arbor.

I do all of my hiking with durable and user friendly one-piece Nordic Walking Poles from SWIX or EXEL. SWIX out of Norway and EXEL out of Finland. Quality one-piece walking poles with real Nordic Walking Straps (comfortable patented straps - patented by the Salomon Ski Company). One-piece walking poles that are sized correctly prove to be safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece collapsible poles that tend to rattle, vibrate, collapse gradually or  fail unexpectedly.

Real Nordic Walking Poles and helpful instruction can be found at SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System.

For more information about the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore check out:
http://www.nps.gov/slbe

Nordic Walking Instruction and Nordic Walking Poles - Another HUGE Sucess At Senior Health Fair

Real Nordic Walking Poles were provided no charge during free Nordic Walking Lessons during the 2011 Bay Ridge Senior Health Fair on April, 6, 2011.

The Village at Bay Ridge, a retirement community, in Traverse City, Michigan hosted Nordic Walking Pole demo/free rental, Nordic Walking Classes and Instruction, blood pressure checks, hearing device displays and testing, nutritional information, breathing tests, fire department safety tips, senior legal service information, eye care information and much more.

The Nordic Walking Classes where held both indoors in the long hallways and outside on the beautiful grounds - including a paved walking path around Bay Ridge's pond. All participants used durable one-piece poles sized to each of their specific heights - 16 different lengths were available to ensure a Perfect Length Guarantee. All of the Nordic Walking poles also were equipped with REAL Nordic Walking Straps - comfortable fingerless glove type straps patented by the Salomon Ski Company. The poles were also equipped with removable rubber tips/asphalt paws that proved ideal for the carpeted hallways and the paved walkways outside. The adventurous removed the rubber tips/asphalt paws and test the durable metal tips on the grass.

The poles were provided by SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System. The classes were taught by Pete Edwards, North America's leading Nordic Walking Instructor and the owner/founder/coach of SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System. Edwards has introduced thousands of Americans to Nordic Walking and has hosted Nordic Walking Classes from Coast to Coast.

The fitness levels of the Nordic Walking participants varied from super active individuals to restricted individuals to using canes, walkers and even wheelchairs. In all situations the one-piece Nordic Walking Poles proved to be a huge success. Many participants were reluctant to try Ski Walking or Nordic Walking - assuming it was only for skiers or more active individuals. Once they were asked if they felt most comfortable walking when pushing a shopping cart they all responded "yes - how did you know" and then they were informed that the poles are even more comfortable and much more versatile.

One participant got up out of her wheel-chair and successfully tested the poles and of course loved them. Ages included individuals over 90 years young. One 90 + year old came using one old ski pole - and claimed one ski pole was better than none and much more comfortable than her cane. She found that two real Nordic Walking Poles sized for her height were ideal.

Some individuals had weight and/or balance issues. Many had knee, hip and/or back issues. In every situation the poles proved to be the most comfortable walking option they had encountered.

Edwards is committed to the simple fact that one-piece Nordic Walking Poles are 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 would never allow his athletes to use cheap collapsible poles that tend to rattle, vibrate, freeze up, gradually collapse or collapse unexpectedly.

The one-piece SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles provided were often referred to "miracle sticks" and "enablers". Nordic Walking Poles when used correctly really do radically improve balance, stability and walking posture (biomechanically a good thing).

SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles from can be ordered easily at SKIWALKING.COM or by calling toll free: 877-SKIWALK or 877-754-9255

The original Nordic Walking Poles were made by EXEL in Finland. More information about the new EXEL Urban Skier Nordic Walking Poles can be found at EXEL NORDIC WALKING

SWIX makes the world's best ski racing poles and the world's fastest ski wax. More info about SWIX Nordic Walking Poles can be found at SWIX NORDIC WALKING

Don't get scammed by cheap/flimsy collapsible poles making false claims about their durability. One-piece poles are much more user-friendly and do not involve twist-lock systems or flip-locks systems.

Nordic Walking on Christmas Eve - And HUGE Success Working With Stroke Recovery!

My favorite activities are Nordic Walking, Roller Skiing and Cross Country Skiing.

Today, Christmas Eve, I had the chance to provide a free Nordic Walking lesson to a young lady recovering from a stroke. My one-piece EXEL Nordic Walking Poles made a huge improvement in her balance, stability and gait.

On our 2nd lap around the living room and kitchen areas she started to alternate perfectly – working the right arm in conjunction with the left foot (opposite or alternating). Her supportive parents were thrilled. She felt the success and knew the poles would play a key role in her recovery.

In ALL of my Nordic Walking Classes and Lessons I get the same positive feedback. In ALL of my Nordic Walking Classes/Lessons I only supply quality one-piece Nordic Walking Poles. Cheap/flimsy twist-locks and flip-locks are terrible, while our 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.

I’ve been coaching runners and skiers for over 25 years and walking with real Nordic Walking Poles makes so much sense to me. The false promotion of cheap/flimsy twist-lock and flip-lock poles makes no sense to me at all. One-piece Nordic Walking that are sized correctly are far superior to heavy, clunky collapsible poles. Collapsible poles tend to rattle, vibrate, gradually collapse or collapse unexpectedly.

At SkiWalking.com and the American Nordic Walking System we provide 16 different lengths of quality Nordic Walking Poles from SWIX and EXEL – from Norway and Finland.

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.

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, heart disease/cardiac issues, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), multiple sclerosis (MS), parkinson's (PD), neuropathy, diabetes, 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.

When I’m out xc skiing, roller skiing or Ski Walking (Nordic Walking) I only use one-piece poles and would NEVER consider using cheap/crappy collapsible poles. I’m out cross country skiing every day during the winter and today while skiing with my best friend it was so obvious (so crystal clear) that our one-piece poles are so darn superior to cheap/flimsy collapsible poles. And the best straps for cross country skiing also make the best straps for Nordic Walking! The fingerless glove-type straps that are patented by the Salomon Ski Company really prove to be super comfortable and the most effective.

We are the exclusive source in North America for real SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles here at SkiWalking.com and the American Nordic Walking System. Not only do we offer 16 different lengths we are able to custom fit poles to any individual’s height/specs.

Skiers, Ski Resorts and Ski Rental shops do NOT use or promote cheap/flimsy collapsible poles – they all utilize quality one-piece poles in order to ensure a Perfect Fit.

Even Santa Claus has been spotted using our quality SWIX Nordic Walking Poles from Lillehammer, Norway.

Walking with poles is the best!

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!

Can a Walking Workout Really Be as Good or Better than Running?

Great article about Nordic Walking from the Huntington Post! Malin is one of the top Nordic Walking professionals in the North America.

My approach to teaching Nordic Walking is combining the benefits of Ski Walking with poles, Hill Bounding with poles, the European Nordic Walking method and then a. Our teaching system proves to be safe and effective regardless of age or fitness levels. At SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System  there are three basic levels - casual Level 1 burns about 20% more calories than regular walking, Level 2 includes a full arm extension and burns 30% more calories than regular walking and Level 3 includes the full arm extension and pressure into the cradle of our comfortable patented Nordic Walking straps. If your Nordic Walking Poles aren't equipped with Salomon patented Nordic Walking Straps you are really missing out.

There is a level of intensity and exertion that will work effectively for any age and any fitness level - including those with balance, stability and gait issues. Nordic Walking is no longer just for expert skiers deprived of snow.

I especially love hosting Nordic Walking classes for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s (PD) and Diabetes support groups, plus Wounded Warrior Programs. SKIWALKING.COM and The American Nordic Walking System have donated hundreds of pairs of poles to Wounded Warrior Programs.

I also exclusively promote and recommend durable and user-friendly one-piece poles that are sized correctly - we offer 16 different lengths. Our one-piece SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles prove to be safer, lighter and much stronger than cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece twist-lock and flip-lock collapsible poles.

Runners and walkers can both benefit from using real Nordic Walking Poles - burning more calories, working more muscle groups and radically reducing the stress to the weight bearing joints. I have been coaching runners and skiers for over 25 years and walking with poles has provided an effective warm-up for my athletes and also been an ideal option for anyone suffering from shin splints, runners knee or other stress related injuries.

Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Walking and running with poles is the best!

2010 Glen Lake Turkey Trot Welcomes Runners, Walkers, Jogging Stollers and Nordic Walking Poles

Costumes Are Optional, But A Tradition For The Glen Lake Varsity Cross Country Team

The 2010 Glen Lake Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk are all about celebrating health and fitness out on beautiful wooded trails. Runners, walkers, jogging strollers and Nordic walking poles are welcome. The Turkey Trot is being held on Saturday, November 13th - 10am start time.

Over a dozen turkeys and other prizes will be randomly drawn and awarded at the conclusion of the event.

The Turkey Trot is a fundraiser for the Glen Lake Cross Country Running Program.

There will be race day registration. Turkey Trot applications can be picked up at the Glen Lake Athletic Office or in Traverse City at either of the Running Fit Locations - downtown or on south airport.

Runners, walkers, Nordic walkers and Nordic runners of all ages welcome.

For more info please contact Coach Schut

by phone: 231-334-3061 ext. 405

by email: schutr@glenlake.k12.mi.us

World Nordic Walking Day A Total Success

We had perfect weather for our Nordic Walking adventures on World Nordic Walking Day - October 10th.

I was able to offer free Nordic Walking Lessons in town (Glen Arbor, Michigan) and lead free Nordic Walking Tours into the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Our favorite routes are the beautiful hilly and wooded trails behind town up on Alligator Hill. On sunny days like Oct. 10th the #1 pick is always Devils Hole high up on the Sleeping Bear Dunes in a secrete location that only locals know about.

All participants in the free lessons and free tours received a free pair of demo poles for the day - real SWIX Nordic Walking Poles. I only teach lessons with one-piece Nordic Walking Poles that are sized correctly. I carry 16 different lengths so sizing is easy and hassle free. I do not promote or recommend cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece twist-lock and flip-lock collapsible poles. Seniors and individuals with balance issues should also avoid cheap/flimsy collapsible poles.

Our quality one-piece SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles are proven to be safer, lighter and much more durable than collapsible poles from China that tend to rattle, vibrate, gradually collapse or collapse unexpectedly.

As a ski coach it only makes sense to use one-piece poles because cheap/flimsy collapsible poles couldn't cut it. Most of the cheap/flimsy collapsible poles are destined for the landfill.

Walking with Poles is the best!

World Nordic Walking Day Celebrated by the American Nordic Walking System and WWW.SKIWALKING.COM

On Sunday, Oct. 10th, I’ll be providing free Nordic Walking Classes – group and private lessons here in Glen Arbor, Michigan at our Nordic Walking Headquarters. I’ll also be offering free guided Nordic Walking trips into the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Potential trips will go to Pyramid Point, Glen Haven, Alligator Hill and/or Devil’s Bowl. Flatter trails and less demanding trial options will also be offered. Durable and user-friendly one-piece Nordic Walking Poles will be provided at no charge during the lessons and the trips into the National Lakeshore - all individuals will receive the perfect length one-piece Nordic Walking Poles for their heights.

Over 8 million Europeans are walking with Nordic Walking Poles – in the cities (with rubber tips/asphalt paws on), out in the country and up in the mountains (rubber tips/paws off and exposing the durable carbide metal tips).

The INWA (International Nordic Walking Association) was formed 10 years ago and Nordic Walking enthusiasts from around the world will be celebrating “Nordic Walking Day”.  EXEL Nordic Walking Poles out of Finland founded and funded the INWA for years. Unfortunately for many years the INWA refused to accept my membership with their organization because I was dealing with SWIX Nordic Walking Poles from Norway. EXEL did coin the term “Nordic Walking” and developed teaching methods and techniques that stood apart from other forms of hiking, trekking and fitness walking with poles. SWIX and EXEL poles are very similar, known for extreme quality and both are most respected in the Nordic ski racing community.

Here in North America http://www.skiwalking.com/ (The American Nordic Walking System) has been the leading supplier of SWIX and EXEL poles for years and is currently the exclusive source for all 16 lengths and is also the exclusive source for SWIX and EXEL rubber Nordic Walking tips/asphalt paws.

SWIX and EXEL have proven their quality in the Olympics and out on the World Cup. Both SWIX and EXEL are dedicated to the simple fact that one-piece Nordic Walking Poles are safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece twist-lock and flip-lock poles from China and Taiwan. Collapsible poles tend to rattle, vibrate, gradually collapse or collapse unexpectedly or simply fail/break.

All of us here at http://www.skiwalking.com/ and the American Nordic Walking System are dedicated to this same simple fact about one-piece poles being superior to cheap/flimsy collapsibles. I’m a ski coach and it is a fact that collapsible poles are NEVER used for Nordic Skiing (cross country skiing), Roller Skiing or Nordic Blading (inline skating). Collapsible poles can’t take the stress. Skiers wouldn't use cheap/flimsy collapsible poles for the Ski Walking and Hill Bounding drills during the summer when deprived of snow - they only use and only recommend one-piece poles that are sized correctly.

Have FUN on World Nordic Walking Day!

Nordic Walking Poles - NOT All Nordic Walking Tips/Paws Are Created Equal

Nordic Walking has already swept across Europe and over 8 million Europeans are benefiting everyday from the use of Nordic Walking Poles – in the cities with the removable rubber tips/paws on, out in the country (rubber tips off) and up in the mountains (rubber tips off).

Nordic Walking has yet to be enthusiastically embraced here in the USA . However, those of us that are aware of the many benefits of using Nordic Walking Poles couldn’t be more enthusiastic about this wonderful fitness activity with Scandinavian roots. Unfortunately the US market is being flooded by cheap and flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece twist-lock and flip-lock poles and rubber tips from China. Many of these poles are equipped with a thin rubber or plastic cap (basically to prevent the metal tips from poking a hole in your car seat or luggage), but sold as Nordic Walking Tips and barely last a mile or two. Some of these cheap twist-lock and flip-lock poles come with what look like authentic Nordic Walking Tip/Asphalt Rubber Tips, but prove to wear out with-in a week or two. I have had numerous students in my Nordic Classes show me the short life span of their tips. They always appreciate the improved grip and cushion of the SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Tips/Asphalt Paws equipped on my Nordic Walking Poles.

I love Nordic Walking and cross country skiing because they are silent sports. Cheap and flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles tend to rattle, vibrate and/or collapse unexpectedly. And when the rubber tips wear out on these cheap poles the clank of the metal tip is annoying as well. I like to do my skiing and Nordic Walking in stealth mode and couldn’t tolerate the rattle, clicking and vibration coming from cheap poles from China.

Every day we hear from new customers who opted to purchase cheap twist-lock or flip-lock poles from other sources by mistake, or received them as gifts, and found that the tips wore out quickly and the twist-locks and/or flip-locks were noisy, uncooperative and annoying. New customers tell us that their original poles from EMS, REI, MC Sports, Cabala’s, L.L. Bean, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, Target, Wal-Mart, misc. websites, …… did not perform as they had hoped and ended up being returned or sent directly to the landfill.

A recent email from a happy customer reads like this about her old cheap poles:

Thanks for your help Pete. I poked through the Sportline pole tip in less than 20 miles. I like to walk at least 5 miles a day with the poles. The Sportline poles rattle quite a bit, too.

Thanks for the quick reply and the info.

Lynne

We have received feedback from hundreds of individuals that had problems with the cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece twist-lock and flip-lock poles from China that they didn’t get from us. Every day we receive happy customer feedback from current customers in regard to their quality and hassle-free one-piece poles. Our 100% positive customer satisfaction ratings indicate that we are doing something right by promoting user-friendly one-piece poles that are sized correctly to each individual’s height and backed with a Perfect Length Guarantee. Quality one-piece poles that are sized correctly prove to be safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap collapsible poles from China.

And when it comes to Nordic Walking tips/asphalt paws we always recommend EXEL, LEKI and SWIX Tips.

When looking for Nordic Walking Poles here are some questions you should ask the seller:

1. Are these poles made in China?
* don’t get scammed by cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles. If the retailer doesn't know where the poles are made assume they are the cheap twist-lock and/or flip-lock poles from China.

2. Are these poles equipped with Salomon Patented Nordic Walking Straps?
* you can’t beat the comfortable and patented Nordic Walking Straps from the Salomon Ski Company

3. Do you carry replacement tips incase I misplace one or wear them out?
* many of the cheap Nordic Walking Poles from China do not have replacement parts available. A reputable retailer will size you into the correct length poles and have a stash of rubber Nordic Walking Tips/Paws.

4. How many different lengths of poles do you carry?
* seniors and individuals with balance issues should never get conned into cheap 2-piece or 3-piece collapsible poles that may collapse unexpectedly. Demand quality one-piece poles that are sized correctly.

At the American Nordic Walking System and WWW.SKIWALKING.COM we carry 14 different lengths and can custom build poles for those over 6’ 6” at no extra charge – ensuring a perfect fit that is backed up by a Perfect Length Guarantee!

For additional info about quality Nordic Walking Poles and natural rubber Nordic Walking Tips/Asphalt Paws contact:

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

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

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

Nordic Walking Classes Offered During Annual Hagerty Employee Wellness Fair

For the third year in a row free Nordic Ski Walking Clinics were made available to employees of Hagerty Insurance (the industry leader in antique car and antique boot insurance) during Hagerty’s annual Employee Wellness Fair.

Dozens of health and fitness providers provided testing, screening and suggestions for a healthier lifestyle during the Employee Wellness Fair. Free Nordic Walking Instruction and the free use of REAL Nordic Walking Poles was provided by SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System. ALL 14 lengths were available to accommodate the heights of all individuals – more lengths than any other Nordic Walking Company in North America.

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.

All of the participants in the Nordic Walking Classes commented that they could feel the automatic posture improvement when walking with the correct length poles. Many immediately noticed that more muscle groups were involved while walking with poles – much more so than regular walking.

SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System are dedicated to the simple fact that quality one-piece Nordic Walking Poles from SWIX and EXEL are far superior to cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece twist-lock and/or flip-lock poles flooding the market from China. Numerous participants in the Nordic Walking Classes commented on their dislike of their telescoping/collapsible yard tools and/or adjustable walking poles that proved to be a hassle. The one-piece Nordic Walking Poles provided for the lessons and for demo proved to be lighter, simpler and much more user-friendly than cheap/flimsy twist-lock and flip-lock poles that tend to rattle, vibrate and/or collapse unexpectedly.

Hagerty Insurance employees appeared to enjoy and benefit from the Wellness Fair. Not only does Hagerty Insurance lead the industry in collector car and collector boat insurance, they are a leader in the “employee health” arena as well. In addition to hosting the Annual Employee Wellness Fair, Hagerty Insurance provides healthy activities and incentives to their valued employees all year round. And then there is Hagerty University, a corporate university that provides over 25 training classes for employees. One of Hagerty Insurance’s trademarks is their commitment to hiring great people and inspiring them to do their best! When many Michigan businesses are struggling it is inspiring to see such a success story.

For additional information about Hagerty Insurance check out their website: http://www.hagerty.com/

For more info about Nordic Walking Poles and the American Nordic Walking System please go to: http://www.skiwalking.com/

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

Email: GETFIT@SKIWALKING.COM

SWIX Ski Poles In The Olympics and Ideal For Nordic Walking In Your Neighborhood

2010 U.S. OLYMPIC CROSS COUNTRY SKI TEAM - 9 of 11 Athletes Use Swix Ski Poles

SWIX Ski Racing Poles dominated at USA Cross Country Ski Nationals. And  9 out of 11 members of the USA Olympic Ski Team  use SWIX Ski Racing Poles.

USA Olympic Cross Country Ski Team Members:
Morgan Arritola, Ketchum, ID, SWIX
Holly Brooks, Anchorage, AK, SWIX
Caitlin Compton, Minneapolis, SWIX
Kris Freeman, Andover, NH, SWIX
Simi Hamilton, Andover, NH, SWIX
Torin Koos, Leavenworth, EXEL
Garrott Kuzzy, Minneapolis, SWIX
Andy Newell, Shaftsbury, VT, SWIX
Kikkan Randall, Anchorage, SWIX
James Southam, Anchorage, SWIX
Liz Stephen, Montpelier, VT, ONEWAY

All of these skiers have confidence in their quality one-piece poles. Their one-piece high tech poles are equipped with comfortable and highly effective fingerless glove type straps - patented by the Salomon Ski Company. Retail cost for these some of these quality poles: $399.95 per pair.

At SKIWALKING.COM the American Nordic Walking System we offer quality SWIX Nordic Walking Poles equipped with comfortable fingerless glove type straps, removable rubber tips/asphalt paws for pounding the pavement and durable carbide metal tips for off-road, the beach, snow and ice. The straps are also patented by the Salomon Ski Company. Retail cost: $69.95 per pair and a free Nordic Walking DVD is included. A Perfect Length Guarantee is also included. There are 14 different lengths of these SWIX Nordic Walking Poles available, more lengths than any other retailer in North America. Our customer satisfaction rating is 100% positive!

Skiers know that one-piece poles are lighter and much more durable than flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles. And when it comes to Nordic Walking, one-piece poles prove to be safer, lighter and much more user-friendly than cheap twist-lock and flip-lock poles.

I been coaching skiers for over 25 year and have never coached a skier that used adjustable length/collapsible poles. Skiers use one-piece poles. Ski Rental Shops don't utilize flimsy 2-piece poles either. Adjustable poles sound tempting in that you can adjust the length and collapse them down, but they are not as dependable as one-piece poles. Ajustable length/collapsible poles are also heavier than one-piece poles.

The comfortable and effective straps on my SWIX ski poles are identical to the straps on my Nordic Walking Poles. I coach skiers during the winter and teach Nordic Walking year-round. I have tremendous confidence in my poles. My one-piece SWIX poles are proven to be safer, lighter and much more durable than flimsy twist-lock and flip-lock poles that often vibrate, rattle and/or collapse unexpectedly.

The American Nordic Walking System and SWIX Nordic Walking Poles are ideal for ALL ages and ALL fitness levels. They are user-friendly in the city and out on the trail anytime of year. SWIX Nordic Walking Poles prove superior for casual walking, hiking and trekking too. When using the Perfect Length Poles they 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.

USA Olympic Team Members Garrott Kuzzy and Simi Hamilton are both graduates of Middlebury College and captains of the Middlebury Ski Team. My daughter Cassidy Edwards is also a recent graduate and former captain of the Middlebury Ski Team. She had the opportuntiy to ski with both Garrott and Simi at Middlebury, on the college carnival circuit and at NCAAs.

Here is a link to the US Ski Team: http://www.usskiteam.com/crosscountry


For information about SWIX Ski Racing Poles: http://www.swixsport.com/eway/default.aspx?pid=278&trg=MainContent_6179&MainContent_6179=6117:0:24,2656&MainPage_6117=6546:38043

Nordic Walking With Neuropathy -
REAL Nordic Walking Poles Radically Improve Balance and Stability!

Nordic Walking and the Sports Medicine Connection

Nordic Walking is the fastest growing fitness activity in Europe, but all across North America many doctors and physical therapists are still unaware of the many benefits of walking with Nordic Walking Poles.

Sure, walking with ski poles and trekking poles can prove beneficial, but real Nordic Walking Poles that are sized correctly can help to radically reduce the stress to the weight bearing joints (knees, hips and back) and at the same time improve balance and stability. Nordic Walking poles can also help to burn 20% - 40% more calories than regular walking.

After hosting numerous Nordic Walking in-service programs for doctors and PT’s, SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System has had the opportunity to introduce Nordic Walking to hospitals, physical therapy locations and sports med facilities all across the USA. And in all of the inservice programs we have utilized user-friendly one-piece poles sized correctly to each participant's height. These durable one-piece poles are safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap twist-lock and flip-lock adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles from China.

A recent Nordic Walking/Sports Med article was posted at: http://www.sportmedbc.com/SportMedBlog/?p=630

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.

Skiers use one-piece poles that are sized correctly. And as a ski coach that makes sense to me. Seniors and individual's with balance issues should especially avoid cheap collapsible poles. Don't get scammed by cheap twist-lock and/or flip-lock poles from China.

Walking with poles is the best!