Originally published October 21 2005
Ski-walking exercise catching on among the elderly
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Pete Edwards, owner of Glen Arbor-based SKIWALKING.COM, has been traveling the country promoting a new form of exercise called ski-walking, which he claims can burn up to 40 percent more calories.
Some Cadillac seniors may 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."
"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.
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.
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.
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' 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.
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.
The two were cross-country ski enthusiasts for 20 years, but gave it up about seven years ago.
For more information about ski walking or to learn how to order poles, visit Edwards' web site at www.skiwalking.com.
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