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Mission

Strong Core / Active Living / Be Balanced

We are focused on improving mobility and function for every age, ability and fitness level. Through our uniquely designed patented poles, our mission is to help people realize that their full potential is not only achievable but also sustainable, by doing exactly what their body was designed to do – MOVE.

What is Nordic Walking (aka Urban Poling)?

Nordic Walking combines an upper body technique similar to cross country skiing with the lower body technique of regular walking. The terms “Nordic Walking” and “Urban Poling” are interchangeable.

The History

1. In 1988, Tom Rutlin, the owner of Exerstrider Inc, pioneered the idea of walking with fitness poles and developed the Exerstrider method of Nordic Walking.
2. A similar activity, later introduced as “Pole Walking”, was developed as a summer training method for the Finnish cross-country skiing and biathlon teams.
3. Nordic Walking is extremely popular in the Scandinavian countries, Switzerland and Germany and is quickly spreading throughout Europe and North America.

Why Is It So Popular?

1. It is an easy, fun, low-impact and convenient way to increase the health benefits of walking.
2. It is a simple and non-intimidating way to get inactive people moving.
3. It can be performed by people of all ages and almost all fitness levels.
4. It can be practiced in any location (sidewalks, streets, parks, hiking trails, etc).
5. Poles improve balance and increase confidence during walking.
6. Using poles improve posture, strengthens the abdominals, spinal erectors and increase lateral stability of the spine.
7. Poles ease hill climbing and provide stability when walking downhill.
8. Using poles lessens stress to hips, knees and ankles (weight shifts to upper body).
9. Poling uses 90% of the body’s muscles including the core muscles.

Who Is Appropriate for Nordic Walking?

1. People interested in a convenient, lower-impact activity.
2. Avid walkers looking for something different or a full body-body workout.
3. Walkers who don’t enjoy or don’t have time for traditional upper body resistance training.
4. People in weight loss programs.
5. People who cross train.

May be Appropriate for group or one-to-one sessions:

1. Chronic conditions in early to middle-onset stages resulting in mild to moderate balance and coordination problems (e.g., MS, Parkinson’s, etc).
2. People with balance or gait difficulties.
3. People recently recovering from lower body injuries.
4. Cognitive limitations effecting judgment and insight.
5. Visual limitations.
6. Cardiac rehab clients

Notes:

• Follow your Profession’s guidelines to be sure you are working within your scope of practice.
• Participants with chronic conditions should discuss using Nordic Walking poles with their healthcare professionals.