Well like they say " spring is just around the corner", is very true right now. Soon all the winter cooped up folk will be out and about enjoying the sunshine ( for those of us who live in the winter wonderland of snow and sub zero temperatures that is) and I'm sure walking will be one of the many outdoor activities. For myself there will be lots of new trails to hit with the trekking poles and some new pathways opened up in town for the Nordic Walking poles. I'll keep in touch and some pics when it all begins ,and when all the snow is gone I'm sure there will be many. Keep on walking.

We have all seen the ads for the Bowflex , the great abs sculpting contraption and many other types of home base gym sets with the top fit actors and models trying to lure us in to spend our hard earned cash. I must say I was one of them. After spending thousands on great big dust collector I just had to get rid of the thing. I am in no way bashing home gym equipment. These machines are high tech and built extremely well and the physics that go with them when used properly will benefit the user. Unfortunately over 90 percent of the people (like myself) who purchase home gyms only use them for a short time and the novelty wears off soon enough and in return is something often looked at when walked buy. Although we are a people who want to get in shape and feel better  about ourselves we forget the simple thing that we do on a daily basis that can help maintain a healthy body and cardiovascular system, and that is walking. We have heard the term “ walk a block a day” many times from TV ads and our phys E.D teachers to help keep us fit. With this in mind there is a better way to walk that can be the new way for a total body work out, and this the Nordic Walking Technique.

Nordic walking has it’s origins from off season ski training. An activity used for decades know as ski walking by cross country skiers who wanted to stay in shape and build stamina during the off season. It quickly became a way for people who had knee pain and back to pain to walk again reducing the amount of pain in their joints.

The first specially designed walking poles with optional rubber tips (for hard surfaces, such as concrete and pavement) were designed by Tom Rutlin. Rutlin's designs and enthusiasm helped to urbanize fitness pole walking.

In 1997, Finnish ski pole manufacturer Exel, working with Marko Kantaneva, introduced the trademarked Nordic Walker poles. "Nordic walking" became the accepted term for fitness walking with specially designed poles. Although fitness walking with poles has been relatively slow to be embraced in North America, the Nordic skiing savvy Northern Europeans quickly embraced this dry land hybrid of two of their favorite fitness activities, Nordic skiing and walking, and a little more than a decade after its introduction in Europe, an estimated 8-10 million people (mostly in Northern Europe) have taken up fitness walking with specially designed poles as a regular form of exercise. ( Wikipedia)

Benefits.

• increased overall strength and endurance in the core muscles and upper body
• significant increases in heart rate
• incline walking becomes easier
• nearly double the amount of calories burned.
• improved balance and stability
• significant stress reduction of hip, knee and ankle joints
• increased energy levels and weigh loss
• fresh air and the company of the great outdoors.
• Meet new people who enjoy Nordic Walking

This is a great outdoor fitness activity that can help maintain a healthy life style and to meet new people. There are clubs that walk daily, weekly and monthly that have some great times together. No matter if you are the fitness elite who want to power walk with this technique or just stroll along with a friend enjoying each others company. Either way healthy living is key to longevity and Nordic Walking is great way to achieve that. 

 

My self and some friends or mine decided to go a hunting trip. Destination Minaker Creek. This is a great area for hunting Elk and Moose with plenty of rolling hills ,grassy meadows and plenty of swamps accompanied with many steep hills and a great place to use my trekking poles. My hunting partner asked my if I was planning on skiing down the hills with my poles as they are very similar in looks but definitely not design.

Once we reached our point where even an ATV couldn't go I broke out the trekking poles and began our journey into the willows and oversized aspen trees surrounded by game trails that meander around several creeks. Up and down hills and with the added support of my poles I could easily balance on the dead fall while supporting some of my weight with the poles. Climbing hills was much easier as well. With a quick adjustment I shortened the length and was able to dig them in the banks and use them to push my self up the hill sides and I was moving along very well. My hunting partner was lagging behind and I asked him if he would like to give them a try. Big mistake ,he didn't want to give them back. Luckily I had a second pair I could use back at camp. Then next day we were trekking down the hunting trails look for game and enjoying the fever of the hunt with a little more comfort using trekking poles.

 
Yes that is me . I enjoy this new found walking technique even in the rain. As I work out in the bush and spend much time at camp it does not take long to add on the pounds with all the great food the cooks put on here. Thankfully we have an airstrip that is just over a mile and walking a couple of lengths sure gets the blood circulating. The poles are the Lekisport Walker 

 These poles are great and adjustable. The baskets at the end of the poles prevent them from sinking in the mud and help move you along it wet soft areas and lessens the sticky effect on the feet from the mud.They have comfortable grips, light weight and the straps are adjustable as well as the pole its self. With a simple turn to the left to release the  locking mechanism. Simply push or pull the  shaft to the desired length then turn back to the right to re-lock. Be sure to use the straps properly ,as I found out they can leave your hands with friction burn with improper use. As with all products use the manufactures recommendations.
Rain or shine Nordic Walking is for me a great way to stay in shape. No matter what part of the world you live in whether its suburbia the inner city or like me in a small town Nordic Walking can be enjoyed anywhere there is a pathway.

Hi there. After going on a few walks I have noticed that my walking pace has increased as apposed to just walking. I've read plenty of material stating the health benefits and thought I would share them with you.  I am using the Lekisport Walker now, so far so good.
On a personal level when I walk for an hour or so my heart does increase ,distance of walking has increased and my level of energy while walking has also increased. I must say when I first started walking I was breathing heavier but that soon diminished in a few minutes as I kept going and found a good pace to keep walking. I believe it is important to find your optimal pace when starting out as not to overwork yourself resulting in tiredness and wanting to take breaks.
The impact on my joints has lightened immensely and back has gone completely. I'm sure as I continue that weight loss will be inevitable and with the combined benefits that are joining me it will be great to help me enjoy a more active lifestyle.
I am closing in on my early forties now and I want to be in good shape so I can better enjoy a prolonged retirement with my family when the time comes. I'm sure everyone would love to be healthy during the retirement years and Nordic Walking is a step in the right direction.
To sum things here are the benefits I am experiencing.

• Increased energy levels
• No back pain while walking
• Less stress on the knees and ankles
• Increased endurance
• Enjoying the outdoors

Wikipedia has great information as well as other sites.

I will be sure to keep you informed of our progress as my wife and continue with this  great activity.

 

 My wife and I have heard and read lots of good things about the Nordic Walking technique so we decided to give it a whirl. We purchased our first set of trekking poles a few weeks ago and so we'll be exploring the great outdoors soon. As beginners to this fast growing sport we thought a blog spot would be a great place to start so we could share our progress as we become familiar with the proper use and care of ours poles. At first we were not sure what type of poles we should use. After looking at several products we decided to go with a popular brand that are well know in the trekking world. The Leki Sport Walker. These poles come as a pair, they are light weight and anti shock, they also look great. I'm sure they will be a great set.

Nordic Walking is not the same as trekking. Nordic walking is a technique with a steady rhythmic pace. Trekking is a general activity with a varied pace , terrain and usually involves added weight such as a backpack for carrying supplies.

Nordic Walking poles are also positioned differently. They are angled back and away from the body which allows the user to push off creating resistance. Trekking poles are gripped with full palm and finger contact in order to support the weight of the user.
The straps on Nordic Walking poles allow for easy release of the hand to the pole at the end of each back stride while keeping the hand in place to grasp the pole again on the return stride. Trekking pole straps are designed to support weight with full hand contact.

These are two very different activities. It is important to understand the use of proper equipment for each activity in order to have the best experience.

 Nordic Walking is an excellent way to exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Nordic Walking is a mix between power walking and cross-country skiing and can be enjoyed by all age groups all year. Nordic Walking poles help you accelerate your workout by lengthen your stride. Use all your muscle groups for a full body workout. Use the poles for speed and stability and get in shape with all your friends.

Trekking is a form of travel like hikingand is  less-structured than other sorts of travel, as weather conditions and landscape often determine travel plans more than airlines and the availability of hotels. As travelers move on foot through often-rural and rarely explored  areas, trekking gives travelers an up-close view of incredible  scenery. Many trekkers travel through isolated areas, giving them an experience much different than those who travel in organized groups to more-popular and touristy destinations.It often allows them to interact with nature , doing anything from trekking through glacier carved walkways and hill sides to scaling over mountains and crossing quiet streams or finding a way around racing rivers.

Trekking can be done virtually anywhere . Several areas are particularly popular with travelers, including the mountainous regions such as the Northern Rockies in British Columbia and the Southern Rockies in Colorado.However, treks have been organized in other less-touristy areas regions on almost every continent. Trekking can result in a trip as long or short as participants decide, from daily hikes or trips of a week or more to expeditions that last more than a year. Trekking can be as athletic and adventurous as you want . 

Having the right  gear will  help make your trekking experience more enjoyable. The right  trekking pole and a  must is a comfortably-fitting backpack. Many trekkers who travel for extended periods  need to carry plenty of personal items and clothing with them. A sturdy quality backpack can comfortably fit more than 10-20 kilos . Another important item is hiking boots that have good ankle support and you may want to consider a boot with safety toes that can prevent injury from falling debris. Be sure to carry water and a first aid kit. Dried foods and protein bars are popular as carrying canned goods and bulky items can be wearisome and take up much needed space.

Trekking is a great outdoor activity and an awesome way of travel.When starting out it is a good idea to have a guide or professional trekker to help get started. Beginners may want to start on daily hikes over uneven terrain to help them understand how to use trekking poles and become familiar  with the experience.  A number of outdoor stores supply many different types of poles and offer information and links to various websites to help you find what you need.