During the winter there are choices regarding outdoor recreation and exercise. Cross country skiing is one of my favorite activities and I coach skiers too. Some prefer snowshoeing or Nordic Snowshoeing – snowshoeing with poles. And now there is Nordic Walking too – no snow or skis required however.
Nordic Walking burns more calories than regular walking, plus the poles help to radically improve balance and stability – even during the winter when the roads and sidewalks are icy. During the winter we remove the rubber Nordic Walking tips/paws and utilize the metal tips. For dry roads, sidewalks and other hard surfaces simply put the rubber tips/paws back on. The rubber tips/paws act as silencers (eliminating the annoying clank of the metal tips) and acting as shock absorbers.
Winter Nordic Walking Video Link: http://www.mynorth.com/My-North/April-2008/How-To-Nordic-Ski-Walking
My favorite Nordic Walking Poles from SWIX and EXEL are equipped with comfortable Nordic Walking Straps – patented by the Salomon Ski Company. My favorite poles are also durable one-piece design sized correctly for each individual’s height. SWIX and EXEL Nordic Walking Poles prove to be safer, lighter and much more durable than cheap twist-lock and flip-lock adjustable length/telescoping/collapsible poles from China.
Here is a link to a Nordic Walking –article: "It's the hottest and easiest way to burn, baby, burn!" : http://www.mynorth.com/My-North/August-2008/Skiwalking
Real Nordic Walking Poles are helping thousands of Americans burn more calories than regular walking and at the same time helping them to walk more effectively and with more confidence.
