CADILLAC, MICHIGAN (Cadillac News), November 6, 2005:
Some Cadillac seniors have discovered a new way to stay fit.
Pete Edwards, owner and founder of the Glen Arbor-based SKIWALKING.COM, demonstrated the latest European fitness activity to golden agers at the Cadillac Senior Center Wednesday. Edwards, a high school coach and former ski school director instructed the seniors in the technique of “cross-country skiing without the snow.” The exercise enhances the health benefits of walking.
“I thought, we've got to get it going in Cadillac, especially for the seniors,” said Diane Patterson, interim director for the Cadillac Senior Center. Patterson invited Edwards to conduct the clinic after exploring his company's web site.
Since launching the company, Edwards has traveled around the nation promoting the fitness activity and sales of his Nordic ski walking poles. “I've been doing clinics from Tahoe to Lake Placid, New York,” he said.
Last week, Edwards sent shipments to Kuwait and Portugal. “It's not just happening in the United States,” he said. Edwards claims more than 750,000 Finns are ski walking daily.
He expects the number of Americans participating in the sport will increase to millions if the trend continues to blossom.
Edwards explained to seniors how ski walking increases the benefits of walking by involving arm, shoulder muscles and ab muscles. “It burns up to 40 percent more calories and reduces shock to the knees, hips and back,” he said.
Poles are fitted according to an individual's height, with models available for preschoolers to the tallest NBA player. Although cross-country ski poles can be adapted to ski walking poles, ski walking poles are shorter. Edwards' models have patented wrist straps and removable rubber tips for indoor/outdoor use.
“My mission is to get more Americans off the couch and enjoying our beautiful trails,” he said. “I'm also passionate about our ski resorts getting more ski days out of this.”
Edwards' first clinic of the day was directed toward sufferers of Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Peggy Rutherford, a Parkinson sufferer, gave the technique a try.
“You feel much steadier,” she said.” “It (poles) makes you stand up straight. You don't realize you're not.”
Marjorie and Raymond Lubelczyk walk two to three miles daily. After trying ski walking, they intend to adapt their routine.
“My husband has Alzheimer's and his coordination is starting to deteriorate,” said Marjorie Lubelczyk. “I think this will really help him.”
The two were cross-country ski enthusiasts for 20 years, but gave it up about seven years ago.
“This is easy,” she said. “You don't have to worry about your skis, especially on a hard surface.”
For more about ski walking visit
ww.skiwalking.com.
By Sally Barber
sbarber@cadillacnews.com
November 6, 2005
USA: Ski Walking Without Snow Is New Fitness Activity
CADILLAC, MICHIGAN (Cadillac News), November 6, 2005:
Some Cadillac seniors have discovered a new way to stay fit.
Pete Edwards, owner and founder of the Glen Arbor-based SKIWALKING.COM, demonstrated the latest European fitness activity to golden agers at the Cadillac Senior Center Wednesday. Edwards, a high school coach and former ski school director instructed the seniors in the technique of “cross-country skiing without the snow.” The exercise enhances the health benefits of walking.
“I thought, we've got to get it going in Cadillac, especially for the seniors,” said Diane Patterson, interim director for the Cadillac Senior Center. Patterson invited Edwards to conduct the clinic after exploring his company's web site.
Since launching the company, Edwards has traveled around the nation promoting the fitness activity and sales of his Nordic ski walking poles. “I've been doing clinics from Tahoe to Lake Placid, New York,” he said.
Last week, Edwards sent shipments to Kuwait and Portugal. “It's not just happening in the United States,” he said. Edwards claims more than 750,000 Finns are ski walking daily.
He expects the number of Americans participating in the sport will increase to millions if the trend continues to blossom.
Edwards explained to seniors how ski walking increases the benefits of walking by involving arm, shoulder muscles and ab muscles. “It burns up to 40 percent more calories and reduces shock to the knees, hips and back,” he said.
Poles are fitted according to an individual's height, with models available for preschoolers to the tallest NBA player. Although cross-country ski poles can be adapted to ski walking poles, ski walking poles are shorter. Edwards' models have patented wrist straps and removable rubber tips for indoor/outdoor use.
“My mission is to get more Americans off the couch and enjoying our beautiful trails,” he said. “I'm also passionate about our ski resorts getting more ski days out of this.”
Edwards' first clinic of the day was directed toward sufferers of Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Peggy Rutherford, a Parkinson sufferer, gave the technique a try.
“You feel much steadier,” she said.” “It (poles) makes you stand up straight. You don't realize you're not.”
Marjorie and Raymond Lubelczyk walk two to three miles daily. After trying ski walking, they intend to adapt their routine.
“My husband has Alzheimer's and his coordination is starting to deteriorate,” said Marjorie Lubelczyk. “I think this will really help him.”
The two were cross-country ski enthusiasts for 20 years, but gave it up about seven years ago.
“This is easy,” she said. “You don't have to worry about your skis, especially on a hard surface.”
For more about ski walking visit
ww.skiwalking.com.
By Sally Barber
sbarber@cadillacnews.com
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