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Pole walking is the new fitness fad
By Suchitra Steven Samuel
Photo Credits : Photos: Juidin Bernarrd/Khaleej Times
27 June 2008
“Daily exercise with pole walking can be fun, easy to do and beneficial for your body,” says Joanna Macdonald.
WALKING has become popular in Dubai, not just walking, but “pole walking.” Many of you living and working around Safa Park would have noticed groups of people walking around like cross-country skiers. Well, they are pole walkers and the person who has introduced this new fitness fad in Dubai is none other than Joanna Macdonald, a Canadian residing in Dubai.
A former marathon runner, Joanna began to suffer knee problems that curtailed her running. She was on the look out for an alternative arrangement to continue her enjoyment of outdoor exercise and maintain her fitness level. She discovered her own solution to the problem. She became a certified instructor in the techniques of Keenfit pole walking that offers an increased upper body workout. Today, she shares her passion for health and holistic well-being with a growing number of men and women enthusiasts in Dubai.
Joanna, the owner of Keenfit Dubai LLC, offers free pole walking clinics and instructor training as well. Interestingly, the poles are lightweight and the height is adjustable. A compact travel version, the size of a walking umbrella, is also available. This can be packed easily in a suitcase and you can carry it wherever you go.
“Pole walking is popular all over the world. It originally started in Scandinavia and the concept is currently sweeping across North America. In Europe, there are thousands of pole walkers who meet in groups for daily sessions, especially on weekends,” says Joanna.
 The good thing about this activity is that it is ideal for men and women of all fitness levels and ages. Its many benefits include increased energy and weight loss to improved posture and better cardio health. Additionally, studies reveal that adding poles to brisk walk increases calorie burning by 40 per cent, aerobic benefit by more that 20 per cent and adds years to your life.
So one wonders what is the difference between a regular walk and pole walking? “A regular walk does not engage the upper body which contains half the body’s muscle mass. Once you add the uniquely designed, patented Keenfit walking poles you’ve introduced a full body work out,” answers Joanna.
At the clinics Joanna provides demonstration poles for people to try this method and once the basic skills have been mastered walkers are encouraged to purchase their own poles. They can also go on to become certified Keenfit instructors and start their own network of pole walking devotees wherever they live.
According to Joanna, this method is also great if you’ve been diagnosed with orthopaedic problems that prevent you from running any more like herself. “Walking is the most natural exercise for the body. The poles help support the knees by taking the pressure off it and a spring system in the middle is activated when you plant the poles. Poles also give good back support and realign your body, so you are balanced on both sides,” she continues.
Some pole walkers tend to favour beaches because they get a better grip or traction while walking on sand. Workouts usually last for 40 minutes including a cool down period that includes the final stretches.
Joanna advocates the importance of work life balance and re-establishing the spirit of community living that modern day lives often forget. Corporate social responsibility is also an important element of supporting the community in which we live. Earlier this year Joanna worked for the “Shoe for Africa Foundation,” collecting used running shoes to put shoes on as many people in Kiberia, Kenya as possible. In just two months, through the efforts of Joanna and her colleagues, the foundation collected 8,000 pairs of shoes in Dubai without any advertising.
Clinics
If you wish to support Joanna’s cause, log on to www.keenfit-me.com or call Joanna 050 559 7137.
Source:
Khaleej Times Weekend
June 27, 2008
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