Nordic Walking Community Your Story
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Would you like to share some of your own Nordic Walking stories? We would love to hear them! Fill out the form below and we will add Your Story to our website!Your Nordic Walking Stories
As an avid cross country skier I have to admit that my initial impression about this winter in southern Ontario was disappointment. However, the negative of almost no snow has really been a positive as it has allowed me to introduce many newcomers to Nordic Walking. It hasn't been necessary to cancel or reschedule 1 class this winter...we havebeen getting fitter and improving our skills right through what is usually a season full of heavy snow, ice and extreme cold interruptions. As an INWA Certified Nordic Walking Instructor I'll look back on this very dry winter as a great beginning to the 2010 season! Leki poles have been a big hit with my classes. People want good gear!
- James Mackey
I was recovering from my fourth knee scope surgery and took to Nordic walking as a form of physical therapy.
Recently I completed my tenth spring triathlon in four years using the Leki poles. I am planning a triathlon one every month for 2010. I use the poles in both jogging and walking at each event.
I also use my Leki's for hiking and trail jogging.
Thanks to Leki for getting me back into the outdoors.
Hank Deutsch (AGE 71)
Viroqua, Wisconsin
Recently I completed my tenth spring triathlon in four years using the Leki poles. I am planning a triathlon one every month for 2010. I use the poles in both jogging and walking at each event.
I also use my Leki's for hiking and trail jogging.
Thanks to Leki for getting me back into the outdoors.
Hank Deutsch (AGE 71)
Viroqua, Wisconsin
- Hank Deutsch
I have been an avid nordic skier for many years now. When I decided to take to the fields and hills this summer using nordic poles it felt like a natural progression.
What a great feeling to be walking the trails with poles in my hands. And the downhills are especially a gas. It is possible to get the feeling of telemark skiing when doing short sprints downhill with poles. Poles of choice? I adapted a set of vintage bamboo poles by removeing the baskets and beefing up the straps. They work great.
What a great feeling to be walking the trails with poles in my hands. And the downhills are especially a gas. It is possible to get the feeling of telemark skiing when doing short sprints downhill with poles. Poles of choice? I adapted a set of vintage bamboo poles by removeing the baskets and beefing up the straps. They work great.
- John
I have always been very active: running, biking, lifting weights, etc. I just happened to read an article about Nordic walking, got some poles, and was hooked. It's like flying! My husband just bought me a beautiful pair of Leki vario pacers, and I absolutely LOVE them. There are very few (if any) Nordic walkers in this part of Pennsylvania, and I am spreading the word to everyone I know (and to those who ask me what the @#$% I'm doing!).
- Susan Mahaney
Nordic Walking (NW) and its effect on Parkinson's....a personal experience
NW came into my life about five years ago because of two wonderful friends who urged me to attend a workshop. I stopped running when I felt it was no longer safe for me. It wasn't easy to give it up, however after that first workshop I realized that there was an alternative activity for me that could be just as rewarding. With fifteen marathons (13 miles or 21K) and one full marathon completed, I know it is a wonderful and satisfying sport.
NW involves walking with poles similar to cross country ski poles but different in style and design. The most noticeable feature is that they have removable small rubber tips to use when walking on pavement or other hard surfaces. There are various figures on how much overall better workout you get from NW as compared to regular walking. I've heard as high as 40% and as low as 20%. I'll leave that to the experts but my experience is you get out what you put in.
The technique is different as well. It should be taught by someone qualified and who also understands we are not all built the same. Some people require flexibility for a variety of reasons. For example a person with arthritis may have an issue with range of motion in their arms; a person with MS might have difficulty with their legs. This does not mean that they should not NW.......as long as their doctor says it's alright and they have the desire, the benefits can be positive.
Nordic Walking has done the following for me;
• It gets me outdoors into the fresh air.
• A hobby of mine is taking waterfalls pictures and the NW poles make it happen.
• Improves my posture, most notably my head and shoulders are close to upright.
• It allows my weak side (right) to become more engaged by improving my leg stride and more arm movement.
• Music plays a critical role in the intensity of the walk. I choose songs at approximately 138 beats per minute for training walks and the day of the event. • At times during extended/intense walks my right arm will swing better.
• As I cross the finish line I get that runners high I used to experience.
• For a period of time after an event the tremors and rigidity are improved.
There are many sites on the internet about NW. My blog is just one small bit of information that's out there. http://nordicwalkingmaritimecanada.blogspot.com/
Bill Trewin, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 49 now 55
"I have Parkinson's...........it doesn't have me"
NW came into my life about five years ago because of two wonderful friends who urged me to attend a workshop. I stopped running when I felt it was no longer safe for me. It wasn't easy to give it up, however after that first workshop I realized that there was an alternative activity for me that could be just as rewarding. With fifteen marathons (13 miles or 21K) and one full marathon completed, I know it is a wonderful and satisfying sport.
NW involves walking with poles similar to cross country ski poles but different in style and design. The most noticeable feature is that they have removable small rubber tips to use when walking on pavement or other hard surfaces. There are various figures on how much overall better workout you get from NW as compared to regular walking. I've heard as high as 40% and as low as 20%. I'll leave that to the experts but my experience is you get out what you put in.
The technique is different as well. It should be taught by someone qualified and who also understands we are not all built the same. Some people require flexibility for a variety of reasons. For example a person with arthritis may have an issue with range of motion in their arms; a person with MS might have difficulty with their legs. This does not mean that they should not NW.......as long as their doctor says it's alright and they have the desire, the benefits can be positive.
Nordic Walking has done the following for me;
• It gets me outdoors into the fresh air.
• A hobby of mine is taking waterfalls pictures and the NW poles make it happen.
• Improves my posture, most notably my head and shoulders are close to upright.
• It allows my weak side (right) to become more engaged by improving my leg stride and more arm movement.
• Music plays a critical role in the intensity of the walk. I choose songs at approximately 138 beats per minute for training walks and the day of the event. • At times during extended/intense walks my right arm will swing better.
• As I cross the finish line I get that runners high I used to experience.
• For a period of time after an event the tremors and rigidity are improved.
There are many sites on the internet about NW. My blog is just one small bit of information that's out there. http://nordicwalkingmaritimecanada.blogspot.com/
Bill Trewin, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 49 now 55
"I have Parkinson's...........it doesn't have me"
- Bill Trewin
Jane Rackl, The Utah Jazz Bear and Christine Rose Schnitzer, King Fitness and Dance Studio Open House, March 2009.
- Christine Rose Schnitzer
Nordic Walking has been a part of my life and my business, www.ChristineRoseEnterprises.com, since March 2006. It is now my pleasure to be associated with King Fitness & Dance Studio (www.Utahkingtraining.com) in Salt Lake City as the Nordic Walking Instructor. When the Utah Jazz (NBA) Bear (Team Mascot) visited the Studio he became the first Nordic Walking 'Bear' on the planet! Jane Rackl and I had fun with him, the King Studio staff and attendees at the open house. The next Nordic Walking event at King Fitness and Dance Studio is Saturday, May 9, 2009 when I will host a free Nordic Walking Demo Day with 100% of the donations collected going to the Humane Society of Utah.
- Christine Rose Schnitzer
Hi,
I do sports for many years including sprint, jogging and sport walking.
Recently I decided to do nordic walking. First trial walk on Jersey Atlantic coast with my daughter - 10 miles with avg. speed 5m/hr. Great sport outing with no loads on joints.
Next walk 20miles in Leheigh Park, PA.
Great activity, great product and shall be more popular (many people stop by and ask what's that).
Regards,
Marek
I do sports for many years including sprint, jogging and sport walking.
Recently I decided to do nordic walking. First trial walk on Jersey Atlantic coast with my daughter - 10 miles with avg. speed 5m/hr. Great sport outing with no loads on joints.
Next walk 20miles in Leheigh Park, PA.
Great activity, great product and shall be more popular (many people stop by and ask what's that).
Regards,
Marek
- Marek
On October 10, 2008, I proudly put on a pair of women's high heel shoes. With the help of my LEKI poles and my wife, Joyce and Mast Store staff cheering me on, I walked a mile.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes asked men to literally walk a mile in a pair of women's shoes, to help raise awareness about domestic-violence and raise funds for Henderson County's domestic violence shelter, Mainstay.
I found a new use for my LEKI poles. I don't know how women walk in those shoes all day!
Thanks LEKI for helping me make a difference in our community!
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes asked men to literally walk a mile in a pair of women's shoes, to help raise awareness about domestic-violence and raise funds for Henderson County's domestic violence shelter, Mainstay.
I found a new use for my LEKI poles. I don't know how women walk in those shoes all day!
Thanks LEKI for helping me make a difference in our community!
- Richard Crandall
I am an avid Nordic Walker and recently babysat my 18 month old nephew Myles Tristan from Wallingford, VT. He saw my poles, and started walking all over my house - he is a natural!
- Debbie Goslin
Here's a photo from the finish of the half marathon Birkie Trek this weekend on the Birkie Trail in Hayward Wisconsin. It was a first time event and had 97 Nordic Walkers!
- Linda L.
THUMBS UP for the Red Traveller Carbon Nordic Walking Poles and also for my little dog TyVeeJ
I have had some time to go Nordic Walking with my NEW Product No. TONW 2604: TRAVELLER CARBON (RED) Nordic Walking Poles. Bottom line the Travellers win, hands down, over non Carbon poles.
They JUST FEEL GOOD from the first few steps, and more importantly, even after walking miles.
They seem to absorb shock better than non Carbon poles.
They seem to give a added boost--to push one ahead a little more with each push off than non carbon poles.
The Loop strap arrangement is wonderful. It is a great improvement over the old non release strap I was used to. The new glove/strap arrangement seems just right for my hands and feels good after many miles of walking. They also look good.
I appreciate the three section adjustability, especially having the option of making them short enough to take anywhere.
I think I am becoming a Carbon Junkie now, in noticing the difference between the Travellers 100% HM Carbon, and other non carbon poles.
The Red Travellers LOOK special, they draw attention to themselves, people ask questions about them.
One just FEELS better Nordic Walking with these FLAMING RED and YELLOW flashy Traveller poles.
The Red Travellers Make a definite Statement.
The Red Travellers make another wise ho hum walk into an adventure, as one tries to increase their normal walking pulse rate, at least 10 to 20 beats per minute or more, and hold it there for a few miles. This is not easy, and requires good Nordic Walking technique. I try to picture Nordic Skiing and the form required to be successful at that. Traveller poles lend themselves to this better than my other Nordic Walking Poles. I think it might be the carbon that enhances the push off, generating a touch of extra energy release.
Needless to say I really love the Travellers, even though they are a bit costly, BUT I would, now, after using them, and feeling the difference, be glad to pay the extra money for the Carbon Travellers than to use non carbon Nordic Walking Poles. I am sold on these carbon poles--wow
oldron
I have had some time to go Nordic Walking with my NEW Product No. TONW 2604: TRAVELLER CARBON (RED) Nordic Walking Poles. Bottom line the Travellers win, hands down, over non Carbon poles.
They JUST FEEL GOOD from the first few steps, and more importantly, even after walking miles.
They seem to absorb shock better than non Carbon poles.
They seem to give a added boost--to push one ahead a little more with each push off than non carbon poles.
The Loop strap arrangement is wonderful. It is a great improvement over the old non release strap I was used to. The new glove/strap arrangement seems just right for my hands and feels good after many miles of walking. They also look good.
I appreciate the three section adjustability, especially having the option of making them short enough to take anywhere.
I think I am becoming a Carbon Junkie now, in noticing the difference between the Travellers 100% HM Carbon, and other non carbon poles.
The Red Travellers LOOK special, they draw attention to themselves, people ask questions about them.
One just FEELS better Nordic Walking with these FLAMING RED and YELLOW flashy Traveller poles.
The Red Travellers Make a definite Statement.
The Red Travellers make another wise ho hum walk into an adventure, as one tries to increase their normal walking pulse rate, at least 10 to 20 beats per minute or more, and hold it there for a few miles. This is not easy, and requires good Nordic Walking technique. I try to picture Nordic Skiing and the form required to be successful at that. Traveller poles lend themselves to this better than my other Nordic Walking Poles. I think it might be the carbon that enhances the push off, generating a touch of extra energy release.
Needless to say I really love the Travellers, even though they are a bit costly, BUT I would, now, after using them, and feeling the difference, be glad to pay the extra money for the Carbon Travellers than to use non carbon Nordic Walking Poles. I am sold on these carbon poles--wow
oldron
- oldron
Who would have thought that walking around town with a couple of sticks would be such fun? We certainly didn't, but just for kicks we took an intro lesson in Nordic walking. Lesson? Yeah, we who think we know everything about the Pacific Northwest had a lesson. That's all it took - one hour with a smart instructor and a couple of Nordic walking poles. We had to have those LEKIs! We've been poling at least 3 miles a day, rain or shine, ever since. We even wrote a story about it and took a bunch of pictures. It's at: http://www.highonadventure.com/Hoa08jun/Steve/Nortic.htm
Steve
Steve
- Lynn Rosen & Steve Giordano
Teaching Nordic Walking has been so rewarding because everyone gets something out of the class no matter their fitness level.
If everyone has a good experience then they stick with it, unlike having a gym membership that goes mostly unused.
The cutest thing is to see couples come to class and then go around the track together. Even people who don't know each other end up with a Nordic Walking buddy.
If everyone has a good experience then they stick with it, unlike having a gym membership that goes mostly unused.
The cutest thing is to see couples come to class and then go around the track together. Even people who don't know each other end up with a Nordic Walking buddy.
- Jill Bronsky
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