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KEENFIT, THE WALKING POLE COMPANY, LAUNCHES IN DUBAI
The first branch to open in the Middle East
FEBRUARY 21, 2008--Dubai, UAE—It’s happening on Jumeirah Beach, in Safa Park, on The Palms and just around the block. Pole-walking is really catching on in the Middle East as Keenfit, the walking pole company, recently started up operations in Dubai, offering free pole-walking clinics and clubs as well as instructor training.
“I used to be a marathon runner and was running around Safa Park a while back,” says Keenfit Dubai owner and founder, Joanna Macdonald. “I noticed that people were basically keeping to themselves, not interacting and not really engaging in any physical activity. Around the same time my knees started giving me a problem and my friends in Kelowna who had started a company selling walking poles suggested I give it a try in Dubai.”
Once she started using the Keenfit walking poles she recognized that the trend that had started in Denmark and taken hold in North America could potentially catch on in the Middle East. With an entrepreneurial spirit, a strong background in corporate marketing and communications and a new-found passion for health and wellness, Joanna set about establishing Keenfit Dubai, LLC.
“As I began offering the clinics, more and more people from all walks of life started to show interest and I saw an amazing combined benefit for the participants that is unique to a multi-cultural community such as Dubai,” said Joanna. “They were getting a great workout and, as women in Abayas walked next to women in shorts and t-shirts, they were also learning about different cultures and religious beliefs.”
Pole walking in Dubai is attracting both men and women of all fitness levels, ages and ethnicities as they learn about the myriad of benefits ranging from increased energy and weight loss to improved posture and better cardio health. According to several recent studies, adding poles to your brisk walk can increase calorie burning by 40 percent and aerobic benefit by more than 20 percent.
“A regular walk does not engage the upper body which contains half the body’s muscle mass,” says Joanna. “Once you add the uniquely designed, patented Keenfit walking poles you’ve introduced a full-body work-out.”
“Pole walking is also great if you’ve been told you can’t run anymore because of orthopedic problems, like I was” says Joanna. “Walking is the most natural thing to do for the body. The poles help support the knees by taking the pressure off and there’s a spring system in the middle that activates when you plant the poles. They also give good back support and realign you so you’re balanced on both sides.”
Keenfit Dubai, founded in 2007, is part of an international company that was established in Kelowna, BC, Canada in 1998. The Keenfit philosophy encourages one to walk tall and be as balanced as you can both physically and emotionally while continuing to “walk your path.” Keenfit’s mission is to inform, inspire, empower & support people to become accountable for themselves so they can find balance, live in peace and walk as their true self.
Keenfit weekly pole walking clinics are held throughout Dubai. Demo poles are available for you to try. For a schedule of free clinics or to find out more about becoming a Certified Keenfit Instructor to help spread the health benefits of pole walking the Keenfit way call 050-559 7137 or visit www.keenfit-me.com.
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