Hybrid Exercise, Combining Fitness Walking and Cross Country Skiing, Offers Nearly 50% More Calorie Burn PLUS Total Body Conditioning to Get in Optimal Shape

As Featured in Oprah Magazine & The New York Time

(Madison, WI) – Fitness trends come and go, but one method of movement continues to stay the course – walking. It’s easy, safe, convenient, and effective for burning calories and toning the muscles of the lower body. But thanks to one Midwest man on a mission, you can now take walking to the next level with what he calls Exerstriding, a hybrid exercise that combines fitness walking with cross country skiing. Using specially designed poles and easy-to-learn techniques to incorporate the muscles of the upper body and core, Exerstriding simultaneously strengthens and tones all the major muscle groups. A study completed at the Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas, showed that walking poles also revs up your metabolism, allowing you to burn nearly 50% more calories per hour than traditional walking.

“There’s still a misconception out there that you have to suffer or ‘feel the burn’ to get in shape or stay fit,” says the “father of Nordic walking” and Exerstrider pioneer, Tom Rutlin. “Exerstriding proves that the ‘no pain, no gain’ belief is truly a myth. With Exerstriding, you’ll get the total body, calorie burning benefits of cross-country skiing with the safety, simplicity and convenience of fitness walking…all without causing pain or injury to your knees, hips or back.” Studies published by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) confirm that walking with poles significantly increases the number of calories burned with no perceived added effort while increasing heart rate by 10-15 beats per minute, and rapidly increasing upper body muscle fitness.

In addition to the aerobic and musculoskeletal benefits, Exerstriding is rapidly growing in popularity due to its proven mood-elevating benefits and because it welcomes all ages and fitness levels. “It doesn’t matter where you live, whether it’s in the mountains, the suburbs or the city. Everyone can reap the benefits of Exerstriding,” adds Rutlin. “You don’t have to head for the ski trails or wait for a new season to get in shape. Whatever your weight loss or fitness goal is, just grab your poles and make it happen now!”

Shed Pounds, Burn Belly Fat & Tackle Weight Loss Plateaus

It’s already a hot fitness movement in Europe and those who’ve tried fitness walking with poles in the U.S. are excited to share both their enthusiasm and their success stories. “Once you use poles and feel the difference, you’ll never stop. I lost more than 75 pounds and firmed up all over thanks to walking poles,” says Andy Sherman, of Kansas.

Reducing belly fat, and building core and upper body muscle endurance is the metabolic secret of Exerstriding. “My abs are lean, and hard as a rock”, says California Exerstrider Bob Moon. “And my entire body has muscle definition I once thought you had to lift weights to get!”

Bob Saunders of Toms River, New Jersey, turned to pole walking after hitting a weight loss plateau with traditional walking. “It took me a year to lose 50 pounds with daily walking. Then, I used the poles and lost another 50 pounds in just six months,” says Saunders.

Getting started is easy. Exerstrider walking poles are available to purchase online at http://www.exerstriding.com for $70-100. Every pair of Exerstrider poles come with a 5- star rated manual and instructional DVD.

About Tom Rutlin:

In 1985, as a Certified Cross-Country Ski Instructor and avid runner, logging 50+ miles each week, leading fitness authority Tom Rutlin, created a completely new method of exercise that could provide the full body strength and toning benefits of cross country skiing year-round. He merged this with the heart-healthy benefits of running, yet without the joint wear and tear. He also developed the first specially designed exercise walking poles and set out to show fitness seekers how to achieve their health and fitness goals without subjecting their bodies to any undue stress and pain. Exerstriding was born and Rutlin became known as the “father of Nordic walking,” as the movement spread to Europe as well as the U.S. The popular exercise has been featured in top-tier print media outlets such as Oprah Magazine, The New York Times, First for Women, Woman’s Day, Family Circle, Prevention, Runner’s World, Health, Shape, Men’s Health, The Boston Globe, Good Housekeeping, and more. For more information, please visit http://www.exerstrider.com.

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