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December 15, 2004
Record-Eagle/Lara Neel Jackie Brown, Jerry Heiman, Pete Edwards and Fame Royer practice Nordic walking at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville.
Say 'Ya' To Nordic WalkingNew fitness sport comes to U.S.ByRecord-Eagle staff writer Bill Birch already owes a lot to his Norwegian ancestors, including his love of the outdoors. Now he has one more thing to thank them for: the fitness craze called Nordic walking that has swept Europe and is slowly spreading through the U.S. "With anything, if you want to stay healthy it takes commitment, and this is something we could both do," said Birch, after attending a recent Nordic walking clinic with his wife, Rachelle. Pioneered in the mid-1900s by Scandinavian cross-country skiers looking to train and stay fit in the off-season, Nordic walking, or "ski walking," is simply fitness walking with specially designed poles.  Record-Eagle/Lara Neel Mary Voight, 8, ski walks down a hill at Crystal Mountain. Walking with ski poles can burn 40 percent more calories than just walking. In fact, Nordic walking has been shown to improve walking technique, said Pete Edwards, a champion of the fitness sport and one of three instructors at the clinic. "Walking with poles gives people better walking posture," he said. "Your hips come forward, you stand taller, your stride lengthens. It feels faster and easier than walking alone." More importantly, he said, the sport works the upper body, burning 40 percent more calories than walking alone and offering a total-body workout. A University of Wisconsin rehabilitation study of patients who had suffered heart attacks showed that Nordic walking increased their oxygen uptake an average of 21 percent compared to walking without poles. That's important to people like Glazier and her husband, Robert, retirees who were looking for a low-impact but effective alternative to more vigorous activity like cross-country skiing, a sport they once enjoyed. "We just can't do the things we did," said Glazier, whose arthritis puts a crimp on certain activities. "You're concerned about falling. This is safe, you have the added support of the poles. And (they) also help break the momentum of going downhill so it's easier on your knees." Nordic walking may also be a boon to diabetics and others for whom increased physical activity is important. "A lot of people are being told by their doctors to get their heart rate up, and for some people walking isn't enough," said Edwards, who has conducted clinics for Munson Medical Center. "Add fitness poles and it does that." The sport's relative ease makes it ideal for people of all ages and abilities, said Joan O'Neill, communications director for Crystal Mountain. That's why the resort will begin offering twice-weekly guided Nordic walking treks beginning in January. After a brief introduction walkers will set out on the resort's woodland trails, some of which wind through the Michigan Legacy Art Park, an outdoor collection of larger-than-life artwork interpretive of Michigan's history. All that's needed is a good pair of running or trail shoes, a set of poles (provided) and about five minutes of instruction. "It's so easy you would not believe it," said Edwards, who will lead the treks. "I hate to make it sound that way, but it is. You can make it as technical as you want, but my goal is to keep it so simple that anybody can do it." While Nordic walking is most popular with cross-country skiers, backpackers and mountaineers, it is gaining recognition among everyday health and fitness enthusiasts. "It's not something we hear as often as snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, but I believe it is gaining popularity," said David Boynton, assistant manager at Eastern Mountain Sports in Traverse City. "Last year I don't recall hearing the word in the store and this year already I've talked with three or four people who wanted to get outfitted for it." Edwards predicts a big surge in interest among dedicated walkers. "I think you're going to find in two years, ski walking is going to be huge," he said. Part of the reason for the sport's growing popularity may be its relative low cost. "The only thing you need is the poles. It's not like you need to buy a ski pass or membership to stay healthy," said Birch, a Traverse City business owner who also likes to cycle, snowshoe and hike. Indeed, while authentic Nordic walking poles are available at specialty stores, ordinary cross-country ski poles that have been cut down to size can work just as well. "Any pole is a good pole," said Edwards, who developed and sells his own - custom-made for him in Lillehammer, Norway - on his Web site, Skiwalking.com. "Just get that left-right motion going." For Bill and Rachelle Birch, who often use their vacation time to hike in the country's national parks, Nordic walking has four-season appeal. "I want to be able to get out 365 days a year, no matter the weather," said Bill, 51, who invested in special rain gear to accommodate his outdoor pursuits. More importantly, it's a sport that brings the couple closer together. "We can do this together, we can talk. Because life gets busy. You have to make appointments together just to keep up with the day," he said. While the couple has always been health conscious, avoiding fast food and drinking lots of water, Birch said exercise will likely play an increasing role in their lives as they age. "We're not kids anymore, we've been married 30 years," he said. "You start thinking about getting older."
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