NORDIC WALKING BLOG

Nordic Walking Success Generates Thank You Cards - Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-26T20:25:42-05:00

Nordic Walking Poles are not created equal. There is a lot of marketing hype out there, but when it comes to logic and physics there are a lot of reasons why one-piece Nordic Walking Poles from WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System are consistently running 100% positive in all of the satisfaction ratings. Cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece twist-lock and flip-lock poles can never acheive such high ratings.

One-piece poles that are sized correctly are hassle-free. Collapsible poles tend to rattle, vibrate and/or collapse unexpectedly. Collapsible poles have twist-locks or twist-locks and these often prove to break or they refuse to hold their settings. While one-piece poles are lighter, safer and much more durable. At WWW.SKIWALKING.COM LLC and the American Nordic Walking System there are 16 different lengths SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles to select from - ensuring a perfect fit.

Perfect length poles help us to automatically walk with a super straight back - better walking posture is bio-mechanically 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.

Today I received another thank you card from a happy customer. She had taken one of my Nordic Walking Classes at Northwestern Michigan College and shared this with me: "I went walking with a group of 10 ladies yesterday and I used my new Nordic Walking Poles. We walked for an hour and without the poles I would not have made it. You and they are a blessing. Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving"

Everyday we receive thank you emails and cards in the mail.

Many of our new customers found us after their 1st pair of poles (collapsible poles from other sources costing anywhere from $20.00 - $200.00 per pair) failed miserably. Typically one of the twist-locks or flip-locks just refuses to lock into position. Seniors and those with balance issues should especially avoid cheap/flimsy collapsible poles and opt for durable/dependable one-piece poles that are sized correctly.

Skiers know that one-piece poles are the best for skiing. And when it comes to walking why compromise with your poles? One-piece poles will always prove to be superior.

Nordic Walking With Neuropathy

2011-11-22T23:41:05-05:00

Nordic Walking Poles often enable those suffering from Neuropathy to walk taller, more confidently, longer, with reduced pain and often corrects foot drag! Sound to good to be true? Walking with the correct technique and the perfect length poles almost always helps those suffering from Neuropathy walk with improved confidence and for longer distances.

Over 10 million Europeans are already walking with poles in the city (with the special rubber tips/asphalt paws on), out in the country and up in the mountains (typically with the rubber tips off and utilizing the durable metal tips).

And now here in the USA Nordic Walking Poles are replacing canes and walkers. Durable one-piece Nordic Walking Poles are far superior to the cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles flooding the market equipped with poor twist-lock and flip-lock system that add unnecessary weight, rattle, vibrate and unexpectedly collapse.

Durable and user-friendly one-piece poles from SWIX of Norway and EXEL of Finland are exclusively available here in North America at WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System. Quality one-piece walking poles prove to be safer, lighter and much more durable than collapsible poles fooding the market from China.

If you feel comfortable pushing a shopping cart and find the cart helps with posture and reduces the stress to the weight bearing joints you really should try real Nordic Walking Poles that are sized correctly for your height. At WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System there are 16 different lengths available to ensure a perfect fit and backed by a Perfect Length Guarantee.

While teaching a Nordic Walking Class at NMC (Northwestern Michigan College) during Life Academy's Campus Day one of the participants stated she had Neuropathy and that she hoped the poles would help make walking doable again. After my intro to the history of Nordic Walking and the introduction of the American Nordic Walking System teaching progression I strapped each individual into the Perfect Length Poles for their height and off we went - Ski Walking down the long carpeted campus hallways. Not only was the foot pain gone so was the foot drag and the unexpected relief of serious back pain. The poles hit a home run with each and every participant.

I demonstrated with the help of a $129.95 pair of collapsible poles from Italy (tons better than the junk flooding the market from China) why one-piece poles are always superior. The expensive Italian poles rattled, vibrated and gradually collapsed when pressure was applied. Just imagine the problems with the junk coming in from China.

Quality one-piece SWIX Nordic Walking Poles from WWW.SKIWALKING.COM start at $69.95 per pair and come with a free Nordic Walking DVD. The poles are equipped with real Nordic Walking Straps - patented by the Salomon Ski Company. Durable metal tips are included for off-road including snow, ice, the beach, trails and the dunes. Removable rubber tips/paws are included for pavement and other 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.

Walking with poles is the best! Be sure to seek out quality one-piece poles equipped with real Nordic Walking Straps - comfortable fingerless glove type straps.

Nordic Walking Poles Equipped With REAL Nordic Walking Straps

2011-08-11T00:43:15-05:00

All of my Nordic Sports Poles are equipped with comfortable fingerless glove type straps patented by the Salomon Ski Company. My skate and classic cross country ski poles have the same quality straps as my roller ski poles, snowshoe poles and my Nordic Walking or Ski Walking Poles.

Why does the strap matter?

Originally there were poles with either no straps or simple inexpensive loop straps. The new fingerless glove type straps revolutionized cross country ski poles - the fingerless glove type straps eliminate the need to ever grip or squeeze the poles and ALL of the power is transferred effectively from the heel of the hand into the cradle of the strap. ALL of the Nordic event medals are won with Salomon patented straps.

All of the Nordic Walking Poles from SKIWALKING.COM and The American Nordic Walkign Systemare equipped with real Nordic Walking Straps patented by the Salolom Ski Company. The poles come in 16 different lengths because one-piece poles like these are safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap/flimsy collapsible poles.

The American Nordic Walking System is a teaching system based on the positive biomechanics necessary for effective and efficient running and skiing. And when it comes to taking advantage of the fingerless glove type straps it is important to remember that there is no squeezing or gripping of the poles. Trust the straps and the hinge to the pole between the thumb and forefinger. Other individuals teach a lot of gripping or squeezing and usually those individuals are not familiar with the superior Salomon patented straps.

There is a lot of wrong info out there in the Nordic Walking community. At the American Nordic Walking Systemwe never teach sitting back when going downhill - that is silly and ridiculous and looks stupid. When going downhill feel free to plant the poles a little bit out in front of you - the poles help to take the stress off the knees and support the back. Do NOT sit back - very bad for the knees.

I laughed really hard today when a supposed USA Nordic Walking expert was advising people to grip their poles? Do cross country ski racers grip their poles? Are beginner skiers told to grip their poles? If Nordic skiers don't grip/squeeze their poles. Why would Nordic Walkers need to grip and release their poles? My advice is always to keep the fingers relaxed and NEVER grip the poles. When teaching classes it is hard for many new to Nordic Walking to stop squeezing their poles. To help I ask them to guide the pole with the little finger at most and as an exageration practice sticking the other fingers out straight. This proper technique is so successful and user friendly that even individuals with arthritis and/or carpal tunnel can effectively walk with the fingerless glove type straps.

I laughed even harder when I read in the same article something about "greater spinal rotation" - no kidding. Where in over 25 years of coaching did I miss the part about wanting spinal rotation while walking, running or skiing? It was silly when my ski instructors used words they didn't understand and it is silly to hear supposed Nordic Walking experts saying such dumb things. The gift of Nordic Walking is the improved posture and the decrease in the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. Spinal rotation doesn't sound so good for the back and it has no place in Nordic Walking.

The same supposed Nordic Walking expert went on to refer to the "unmistakable swing of your shoulders and hips" when Nordic Walking correctly. The hips and shoulders are square when Nordic Walking - there is no stressful swinging when Nordic Walking, Ski Walking, Roller Skiing, Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing, hiking with poles, trekking with poles, hill bounding with poles......

Nordic Walking puts a natural bounce in your step, but hopefully never "swings your shoulders and hips"

The American Nordic Walking System provides safe and effective instruction- no squeezing, gripping, twisting, swinging. Just simple healthy biomechics.

FREE Nordic Walking Santa Claus With ALL Poles From WWW.SKIWALKING.COM And The American Nordic Walking System

2010-11-27T01:39:09-05:00

FREE Nordic Walking Santa Christmas Tree Ornaments are included with every pair of Nordic Waking Poles ordered from WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System between now and Christmas.

The Nordic Walking Christmas Ornaments are hand crafted from wood and hand painted right here in the USA - NOT China! My dad makes these for me when he isn't swamped making the gifts, the crafts and the Christmas trees that he donates to a children's hospital up near Buffalo, NY.

Our one-piece Nordic Walking Poles make great gifts. All we need to know is how tall the person is that poles are for. Once we know how tall they are we select the Perfect Length Poles for their height - ALL 16 sizes are in-stock and ready to ship. And we ship FAST.

Our one-piece SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking 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. Collapsible poles tend to be clunky and they often rattle, vibrate, gradually collapse or collapse/fail unexpectedly. Collapsible poles often end up in the dumpster and headed for the landfill.

Our Nordic Walking Poles come with a Perfect Length Guarantee, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and a LifeTime Breakage Guarantee. ALL customer satisfaction ratings are at 100% positive.

All of our SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles come with rubber tips/asphalt paws and are ideal for pavement and other hard surfaces. Remove the rubber tip/paw and the durable metal tip is exposed (ideal for grass, trails, the beach, snow and ice). They also come with REAL Nordic Walking Straps - comfortable fingerless glove type straps patented by the Salomon Ski Company.

Nordic Walking Poles not only help to turbo charge the average walking campaign they help to radically reduce the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back. We have hundreds of awesome testimonies from happy Ski Walkers that LOVE our one-piece Nordic Walking Poles.

I enjoy hosting Nordic Walking Clinics here in Glen Arbor and Traverse City, Michigan plus all across the country - from sports teams to senior centers. to YMCA's.

We also donate our super strong and dependable 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.

When using the correct length/perfect length Nordic Walking 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.

And don't forget that Santa Claus was spotted Nordic Walking in shorts this summer:

If you've been naughty Santa will bring you a pair of heavy, clunky and/or cheap/flimsy collapsible poles made in China. If you've been good you'll get fancy one-piece Nordic Walking Poles from SWIX and EXEL.

Santa's knows best: Walking with poles is the best!

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

2010-11-13T23:54:44-05:00

Great article about Nordic Ski Walking was posted at the Huffington Post! Malin is one of the top Nordic Walking professionals here in the USA.

My approach to teaching Nordic Walking is based on the benefits of Ski Walking with poles, Hill Bounding with poles and the European Nordic Walking method and merging the best of these activities with what I've learned from coaching runners and skiers for over 25 years. The American Nordic Walking System is all about good biomechanics (NO leaning) and proves to be safe and effective regardless of age or fitness levels. Here at WWW.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.

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 free Nordic Walking classes for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's (PD) and Diabetes support groups, plus Wounded Warriors Programs.

WWW.SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System has donated hundreds of pairs of poles to Wounded Warriors Programs. We also exclusively promote and recommend durable and user-friendly one-piece poles that are sized correctly - we offer 16 different lengths. Our 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.

Link to the original Nordic Walking article that appeared in the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jill-s-brown/can-a-walking-workout-rea_b_779813.html

Walking and running with poles is the best!

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

2010-11-13T23:25:07-05:00

In response to the Huffinton Post article about Nordic Walking and a question about can Nordic Waking be done in Florida:

We ship tons of REAL Nordic Walking Poles to Florida all year round. Flordia, like the rest of the country is well stocked with cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece twist-lock and flip-lock collapsible poles. Our specialty is offering quality one-piece Nordic Walking Poles that are sized correctly and work great on the beach, sidewalks, indoor/outdoor tracks, parks, trails and even in the mall. REAL Nordic Walking Poles come with removable rubber tips/asphalt paws for pavement and other hard surfaces. When you pull off the rubber tips/paws the durable metal tips are exposed and ideal for trails, the beach, snow and ice. Nordic Walking can be done any time of year and in any climate. The also help to radically improve balance and stability. Quality 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 that are flooding the market from China and tend to rattle, vibrate, gradually collapse and unexpectedly collapse/fail.

WWW.SKIWALKING.COM is the exclusive retailer for one-piece SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles in North America - offering 16 standard lengths and custom built poles for NBA height individuals. Walking with poles is the best!

Link to the original Huffington Post Nordic Walking article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jill-s-brown/can-a-walking-workout-rea_b_779813.html

Nordic Walking Redondo Beach, California - With REAL Nordic Walking Poles!

2010-07-18T15:59:34-05:00

Our week on Redondo Beach was a fun mix of Nordic Walking, Nordic Running, fishing (surf casting), wedding prep, airport runs and a spectacular wedding held at the Beach Club at the far end of Redondo Beach.

We seemed to be the only Nordic Walkers in town, but we were Trader Joe's #1 customers. On the pavement we used our rubber Nordic Walking Tips/Paws. On the beach we removed the rubber tips and used the durable carbide metal tips. When the pavement was sandy we simply adjusted our technique to help minimize the pole tips from slipping - by keeping the poles less angled back and a little more to perpendicular (the same technique of are forced to use when Nordic Walking in Shopping Malls when the floors are waxed and slippery).

Typically I travel with at least 6 big pole bags of REAL Nordic Walking Poles (about 16 pairs of one-piece poles per bag, not flimsy twist-lock or flip-lock poles), but this trip we packed lighter and had to make due with just one big pole bag (16 pairs) packed with quality one-piece poles.

The airlines treated us just like skiers and that is a good thing - one charge for the padded pole bag and our "boot bag" traveled for free. Skiers/Nordic Walkers are allowed to check their ski bag + a "boot bag" for the price of one - a nice bonus when travelling with luggage is more of a hassle and expense these days. It was crystal clear on this trip that most of today's carry on bags are so small even two-piece and three-piece collapsible poles wouldn't fit in them.

The myth out there and the big marketing scam/hype is that cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles are ideal for travel. Well, if they don't fit into your carry on bag, where is the travel benefit?

For travel I always recommend a padded travel bag packed with user-friendly one-piece poles that are sized correctly to your height. At the American Nordic Walking System and SKIWALKING.COM we offer a padded travel bag for Nordic Walking Poles that accommodates 1 or 2 pairs of poles. Our #1 selling Nordic Walking Poles are the SWIX Nordic Walking VIP's - retail price: $69.95 per pair and available in 16 different lengths. A padded bag and a pair of REAL Nordic Walking Poles for under $100.00 is a great option for all ages and all fitness levels.

Our SWIX and EXEL one-piece Nordic Walking Poles prove to be safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap/flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece twist-lock/flip-lock poles that tend to rattle, vibrate, freeze-up and/or collapse unexpectedly.

Nordic Walking Poles can help to turbo charge any walking campaign! And for those that desperately need to launch a walking campaign, Nordic Walking Poles will prove to make walking much more doable and effective.

Individuals with weight issues, balance issues, stability challenges and/or problems with their gait will find that the Perfect Length Poles and the correct technique will allow them to walk much more comfortably, with added confidence and with a much-improved gait? Sounds like a miracle, but it is just good physics and improved biomechanics.

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.

We also donate free Nordic Walking Poles to the Wounded Warrior Programs at Walter Reed, Fort Lewis/Madigan/McChord, Fort Carson, Vicenza in Italy and Kaiserslautern Military Community in Germany. We request the height of each Wounded Warrior and select the Perfect Length one-piece poles for their height. We don't substitute cheap 2-piece or 3-piece poles.

I just got off the phone with a new customer from Canada that accidentally purchased some cheap twist-locking poles and found that they rattled, vibrated and the rubber tips didn’t even last an hour of Nordic Walking. The feedback is pretty consistent that the cheap twist-lock and flip-lock poles from China have poor straps or no straps, poor/wrong instructions, rubber tips that don’t last more than a few miles and a huge issue with rattle, vibration and/or collapsing unexpectedly.

One-piece poles are ideal for world class skiers and individuals with balance issues, plus everyone in between.

Walking with one-piece Nordic Walking Poles is the best!

Nordic Walking Poles Ideal For ALL Ages And ALL Fitness Levels

2010-06-27T19:02:28-05:00

Nordic Walking Poles are helping seniors walk taller, faster, more effectively and with improved balance and stability!

The benefits for athletes are many as well - radically reducing the stress to the shins, knees, hips and back, while helping to burn up to 40% more calories than regular walking!

While hosting Nordic Walking Classes all across the county I introduce everyone to the American Nordic Walking System - developed here in the USA and ideal for ALL ages and ALL fitness levels. The American Nordic Walking System provides three basic levels of intensity to pick from.

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 Poles. And remember the poles are NEVER planted in front of the lead heel unless your are descending a steep hill. The American Nordic Walking System does NOT recommend faking a long stride and we do NOT recommend leaning forward at anytime - especially when going faster. It is all about good biomechanics.

Snow & Ice: When the roads and trails are slippery, feel free to keep the poles a little more out in front and NOT angled back. The added stability is a good thing. Remove rubber Nordic Walking tips.

Steep Hills: The American Nordic Walking System also provides helpful and effective instructions for climbing up hills and descending. When climbing hills be sure to keep your chin up – biomechanically a very good thing! Do NOT lean forward into the hill – leaning is biomechanically a very bad thing! When descending a steep hill feel free to plant the poles out in front – your knees will LOVE the radically reduction in stress. Our quality one-piece SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles have been tested in the Grand Canyon, the Appalachian Trail, the White Mountains, in the Lake Tahoe area, in Alaska, plus the Rocky Mountains - and passed of course with flying colors!

Individuals With Balance Issues: For individuals with balance and stability 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 – it is ideal for folks using canes and walkers too including those with MS, Parkinson’s and Neuropathy.

Intervals, Speed Walking and Nordic Running: A great way to help jump start the metabolism is by adding short speed burst of 20 yards to 200 Yards. My wife LOVES Nordic Running our favorite trails. The perfect warm-up for Nordic Running is Nordic Walking - a gentle and effective warm-up for running with poles.

When hosting Nordic Walking Classes I always travel with a pretty big stash of durable and user-friendly lightweight one-piece poles in a variety of sizes. It is a hassle to travel with such a large inventory, but our SWIX and EXEL one-piece Nordic Walking Poles do not have twist-locks or flip-locks - just lightweight and user-friendly goodness.

Quality one-piece 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, freeze-up and/or collapse unexpectedly.

Walking with poles is the best!

Nordic Walkers and their Nordic Walking Poles Welcome At The 5K Kick Ass-paragus Fun Run/Walk

2010-05-13T21:52:53-05:00

All are welcome, bring your race shoes or your Nordic Ski Walking Poles. Be prepared to stay the entire day and join in the Festival Events. You can also call Frank Skrocki at Sleeping Bear Surf and Kayak in downtown Empire, Michigan at 231-326-9283.

Race Location and Time:
Empire public beach pavilion with the race starting at 10am.

Course:
The course begins at the pavilion located at the Empire public beach on the shore of Lake Michigan. The course will proceed straight uphill on Lake street and Wilco Road to the trailhead of the Empire Bluff. Make a U-turn and it’s all downhill from there. Follow the arrows and course volunteers and continue through the quaint neighborhoods of Empire as you make your way back to the finish at the pavilion where you started.

Registration: Please fill out the registration form found below.
A $15 registration fee which also gets you an awesome Ass-paragus Run t-shirt! Checks payable to Empire Chamber. No credit cards please.

Asparagus Festival Website: http://www.empirechamber.com/pages.php?tabid=2&pageid=97&title=Empire+Asparagus+Festival

Link to 5k application: http://www.empirechamber.com/userfiles/kickAssparagusRun2010.doc

For more info about Nordic Walking Poles check out the American Nordic Walking System at: WWW.SKIWALKING.COM

For more info about SWIX Nordic Walking Poles: WWW.SKIXNORDICWALKING.US

For more info about EXEL Nordic Walking Poles: WWW.EXELNORDICWALKING.COM

Nordic Walking Poles - NOT All Nordic Walking, Hiking And Trekking Poles Are Created Equal

2010-04-13T22:53:07-05:00

When it comes to Nordic walking, hiking and trekking poles, one-piece poles prove to be safer, lighter and much more durable. Skiers know that one-piece poles are the only option for skiing. And ski racers want one-piece poles that are light and yet super strong. Cheap and flimsy 2-piece and 3-piece poles with twist-locks or flip-locks tend to rattle, vibrate and/or collapse unexpectedly.

The original poles used for hill bounding and ski walking were one-piece poles. EXEL Nordic Walking Poles were the first official "Nordic Walking Poles" – based on lightweight yet durable carbon cross country ski poles. Downhill ski poles and trekking poles typically are fatter and much heavier than cross country poles. Adding twist-locks or flip-locks increases vibration and noise (rattle), adds additional weight and provides a weak spot(s) that can allow the poles to fail and/or collapse unexpectedly. I would take one-piece downhill poles over any 2-piece or 3-piece poles, but my first choice and my consistent recommendation is always for REAL Nordic Walking Poles from SWIX and EXEL – lightweight, durable and user-friendly.

When EXEL launched Nordic Walking their one-piece poles utilized EXEL’s advanced carbon technology and came equipped with comfortable fingerless glove type straps patented by the Salomon Ski Company. EXEL set the standard, but cheap and flimsy twist-lock and flip-lock poles from China have since flooded the market here in the USA.

I love Nordic Walking and cross country skiing because they are silent sports. I like to do my Nordic Walking and skiing in stealth mode and I couldn’t tolerate the rattle, clicking and vibration coming from cheap poles from China. Many manufactures of cheap twist-lock and flip-lock poles from China often warn that their poles can not withstand the stress of skiing and other more aggressive uses. Quality one-piece Nordic walking poles can withstand the stress of skiing and hard use. SWIX and EXEL Nordic walking poles have shafts that are identical to quality cross country ski poles – super strong, extremely lightweight and hassle free.

Every day at SKIWALKING.COM and the American Nordic Walking System we hear from new customers who had opted to purchase cheap twist-lock or flip-lock poles from other sources by mistake (or received them as gifts) and found that 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, MC Sports, Target, Wal-Mart, misc. websites, …… did not perform as they had hoped and ended up being returned or sent directly to the landfill. We also hear that many of these stores have floor models that are broken and won’t twist-lock or flip-lock securely – motivating the customer to do some research and quickly discover our honest assessment of the situation (one-piece poles are safer, lighter, more durable and much more user-friendly).

Emails from happy customers read like this about the huge improvement our one-piece poles are over their original and disappointing twist-lock or flip-lock poles from other sources:

Hi Pete,

I just want to tell you how much I love my new VIP Carbon poles. I received them this past Monday; today is Friday and I have put 26 miles on them already, mostly on asphalt but also some dirt roads, grass and a spongy-muddy high school track. The asphalt paws don't show any sign of wear, none at all! And they give great traction on all the above surfaces.

I can't believe the shock absorption and how comfortable the straps are. I'd initially bought a cheap pair of walking poles from a large discount chain store. The carbide tips wore through the rubber tips in less than 20 miles. Also, the shock absorption wasn't good - you could feel quite a vibration through the arms. Their cheap straps really don't allow one to use the straps for propulsion like your VIP's do. I can use your SWIX poles like Nordic poles are supposed to be used because they ARE Nordic poles. Wow, what a difference. The SWIX poles are like going from a bad ride to a Cadillac.

I just love them.

Lynne

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My poles arrived in great shape... size is perfect, you were right. What a relief not to hear the springs rattle from my trek poles! The lightweight and great straps are an added bonus! Love 'em.

Karla

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Pete:

As I start my fourth year of ski walking, I want to thank you for your excellent product. I started ski walking with Coleman adjustable poles which slipped and rattled, no matter what I did. Thankfully, I

found you and your fine company a few months later. I'm sure that if I had stayed with the cheapo poles I would have given up long ago.

Bill

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Hi Pete -Thanks so much for getting my order completed so promptly. The poles were delivered when I got home from work yesterday. Usually I go to a nearby park, walk 2 miles, and then go home to get the dog to walk another 2. Ski Walking has been a blessing to me! I quickly opened the box and took them with me to try them out.

I started after Christmas break,, improving eating habits using a web site called www.myfooddiary.com. It's the incentive I needed to work towards better health. I also began cross country skiing every day, doing that same 2-mile trail on my way home from work. I think I missed 1 day in the following 2 months until the snow melted in early March. I took off 25 pounds in that time, with eating well and skiing every day. Then, I was worried. How could I replace the same calorie burn in the same amount of time?

So, I went to MC Sports and bought cheap collapsible poles, $29.95. One pole developed a vibration in it which I found very annoying. That's how I found you last Saturday on Amazon. I wish I'd known about you a couple of weeks ago. I love your poles!

Thanks so much for calling me back!!

Your poles are so much more lightweight. I use them in the woods on a dirt/sand trail. I haven't had time to watch your DVD/Video. I love ski walking! I don't feel like it's hard to do, and it's not as boring as working out in some health club. I've checked my heart rate during the walk, and it's between 80-90% of maximum for my age. It takes about a half-hour to do the 2 miles, unless I have to wait too much for the dog to sniff! Using the ipod also helps the workout to go faster.

Anyway, thanks for the great service, and thanks for the poles!

Gail p.s. I'm currently down 37 pounds.

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I bought the Nordic Ski Walking poles and love them. My friends whose poles are always collapsing are envious.

Barbara

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Hello,

Thanks for your prompt email! I also had a knee injury which caused me to

quit running also. I gained weight, but just got back out and started walking this summer. I added miles and found I could walk very well with a knee brace on. Suddenly, I started walking better w/o limping. I bought some of the cheap adjustable walking poles from Walmart, but then found out about your real Nordic walking poles.

I am a marketing professor, so word of mouth will guide new customers to you! THanks so much for the information. I love my poles.

Glenna

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Pete,

I really have enjoyed my poles and not having to worry about them collapsing. More and more people are stopping me and asking me about them and the advantages. I could do an informercial! I dropped off one of my last brochures to a woman today who saw me walking on Saturday and asked me about them. Our new minor league ballpark opened yesterday, so I had my poles and was walking and a woman asked me about them. I didn't have a brochure, but I gave her your e-mail address and she wrote it down. I tell everyone the price is great and the poles are very sturdy. I've put a lot of miles on them. People who know a little more about the poles are very impressed with the quality of the tips, especially the boot-shaped tips..they have told me that they can't find the quality of rubber tips like the ones you have. So, hopefully, more people will be using them and enjoying them as much as I do. I'm getting physical therapy but I know I couldn't walk the distances I do if I didn't have your Nordic ski walking poles.

thanks again, you have been very kind to me and to my family,

jan

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I've been researching ski walking. I usually walk my farm with my two dogs. I bought a pair of adjustable poles about a month ago. I'm researching because I was immediately impressed with my physical

response to using the poles while walking. I usually come back from a walk with a sore right hip. Since I've been using the poles I have no pain. Also the poles help me balance on uneven terrain. My only

problem is that my poles are adjustable and the tip got caught in a slat on a wooden bridge. I couldn't adjust it and walked with only one pole - what a pain in the bum. Now I see your poles and I wish I had done my research sooner before buying the adjustable poles.

Paula

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Pete

Thanks for your quick response to my email! I am going to return my twist-locking poles on Thursday and then I will call and order a one-piece pair from you. Thank you too for the info that you sent along for me to read. I understand why my adjustable length poles would not be good for me to use.

Talk to you soon,

Jerri

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Wow, do I ever love these poles! They got here on Friday and I've been out every day... walking twice as far as I would have otherwise and feeling so much more balanced when I'm finished... where have you been all my life?! I'd been trying to use my regular ski poles and they were just too heavy.

Great job, great poles! Thanks so much!

Regards,

Jeane

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Pete,

I am super pleased with your one-piece poles. I read your comments about "adjustable" poles and you are so right! I purchased a pair of adjustable walking poles less than a month ago from a large retail chain store.

The adjustables would not stay locked! Have a good day. Marilynn

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Hi Pete

Before I got the poles I ordered from you I had two Nordic walking lessons with adjustable poles. While I enjoyed myself, the experience affirmed that I had made the best choice by purchasing lighter, non-adjustable poles because I have arthritis in my hands and wasn't able to adjust the adjustable poles myself, and the weight of the poles was quickly tiring. I'm so happy I ordered poles from you. I love the grip / strap, and overall lightness of the poles. Thanks again, Beverly

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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 that they didn’t get from us. Every day we receive happy customer feedback from current customers in regard to the quality or our hassle-free SWIX and EXEL 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. It would be impossible for us to maintain such high customer satisfaction ratings if we promoted twist-lock and/or flip-lock poles.

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 with consistently poor satisfaction ratings.

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. During the 2010 Winter Olympics all of the athletes in the Nordic events used racing poles equipped with this type of effective fingerless glove type straps – patented by the Salomon Ski Company.

3. Do you carry replacement tips should 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 always have a stash of rubber Nordic Walking Tips/Paws on hand to assist customers.

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 twist-lock or flip-lock collapsible poles that tend to rattle, vibrate excessively and/or 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 of REAL Nordic Poles and we 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 check out:

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