Nordic Walking In Glen Arbor, Michigan - Home of The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Nordic Walking In Glen Arbor, Michigan - 100% Happy Customers!

We had excellent cross country skiing right up to April 20th in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore this year (if you knew where the pockets of snow were). Spring was cooler than normal, but ideal for Nordic Walking! Summer is in full swing and we are hosting private and group Nordic Walking Classes daily - when we aren't out on the road hosting Nordic Walking Classes around the country.

Our Nordic Ski Walking Clinics are a way to much FUN! Couples are always fun to work with too. Typically one individual is super excited and the other is skeptical. Who would have thought that by walking with the correct technique and perfect length poles there could be so many benefits? The "doubting spouse" typically becomes a believer quickly after just a short test drive and a brief introduction to The American Nordic Walking System. The poles really do make walking more effective and FUN. The stress to the shins, knees, hips and back are radically reduced - thanks to the poles, the comfortable Nordic Walking Straps, improved posture thanks to the poles and the shock absorbing rubber pole tips.

In just the past week we have had tremendous success with individuals with the following issues:

1. new knee(s) + knee issues (torn ACL and runners knee)
2. new hip(s) + hip issues
3. arthritis
4. asthma - the improved posture brings the hips forward, shoulders back and opens the airways!
5. Neuropathy
6. post polio
7. diabetes and weight management issues
8. shin splints
9. MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
10. back issues - rods + scoliosis
11. Parkinson's
12. Carpal Tunnel - real Nordic Walking Straps allow folks with carpal tunnel and/or arthritis to use poles again when regular pole straps can't be used successfully.
13. Cardiac Rehab

It is all just good physics!

Every day we receive thank you cards in the mail and thank you emails from all across the USA and around the world. It is extremely rewarding teaching Nordic Walking - helping others get out walking safely and effectively.

Our one-piece poles are safer, lighter and much more durable than adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles. And our comfortable patented straps sell themselves. As a ski coach I know that we don't ski with collapsible poles and know from experience and the feedback from others that the perfect length one-piece poles can't be beat in regard to safety, performance and durability. One-piece poles don't rattle and vibrate excessively when used on pavement and other hard surfaces.

The American Nordic Walking System provides safe and logical instructions for ALL ages and ALL fitness levels. Because most Americans don't really like "true" Nordic Walking we developed the three basic levels of Nordic Walking.

Level 1: Casual hiking with correct length poles (burns up to 20% more calories than regular walking). Fingers need to be relaxed and the chin up. And of course each pole is planted in sync with the opposite foot.

Level 2: Includes a full arm extension (burns up to 30% more calories than regular walking). By simply reaching forward your stride lengthens and your tempo increases - kind of like shifting gears in a car. Chin up and fingers relaxed.

Level 3: True Nordic Walking - includes the full arm extension, a harder pole plant and resistance into the cradle of the strap (through the heel of your hand). The resistance is maintained from pole plant to when the hand passes the hip. Real Nordic Walking Straps allow you to do this effectively without gripping the poles. Chin up and fingers relaxed.

Individuals with balance issues prefer Levels 1 and 2. Individuals with carpal tunnel, arthritis in their hands/wrists/shoulders or shoulder issues (including rotor cuff) also prefer Levels 1 and 2.

For more information about The American Nordic Walking System please go to http://www.skiwalking.com/ or http://www.skiwalking.com/getStarted.asp

The important thing is to get out there and do it.

Have FUN Nordic Walking!

Nordic Walking Comes To New York's Jamestown And Chautauqua Lake

The ALL-STAR Staff From LSS (Lutheran Social Services)

When Mike Rabent, the Director of Physical Therapy at LSS (Lutheran Social Services) in Jamestown, New York, emailed an invitation to host Nordic Ski Walking Classes for his staff and the local community I knew it would be a great event. The turn-out far exceeded our expectations and the success stories were almost record breaking. Morning classes where open to the public. The afternoon class was for the staff - doctors, physical therapists and nursing staff. The evening class was again open to the public. All classes included an introduction into Nordic Walking, some of the history and a review of the American Nordic Walking System and an opportunity to test drive our quality one-piece poles - custom fit to each individual’s height.

The American Nordic Walking System and http://www.skiwalking.com/ provide quality poles and instructions here in the USA and Canada. We are committed to safety and one-piece pole design. And the American Nordic Walking System provides a practical and effective approach that is easy to understand. There are three basic levels – all varying in intensity and accommodate all ages and all fitness levels.

Participants ranged from children to great-grand parents. We were thrilled to strap our comfortable patented straps onto doctors, therapists and nursing staff. ALL participants were pleasantly surprised to find out that the correct length poles and proper technique can automatically straighten out the back, burn more calories and reduce the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back.

Participants varied from hikers and runners to individuals with balance and/or joint issues including MS, Parkinson’s, Diabetes, Neuropathy, Post Polio, Arthritis, Rotor Cuff, Carpal Tunnel and other challenges. Local MS and Parkinson's Support Groups had been invited. In every situation our poles proved helpful. It was crystal clear that our one-piece poles are safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap twist-locking poles. Many participants that already had their own poles told stories of their adjustable length twist-locking/telescoping/collapsible poles failing, breaking and not being user friendly. Our staff knows better then to sell twist-locking poles to seniors and/or folks with balance issues.

This wonderful opportunity to work with diverse ages, athletes as well as those with balance and/or joint issues proved that walking with poles is an ideal way to get more out of walking and in many cases make walking a doable exercise again.