BACKGROUND to Axess Poles

Hi there, my name is Annika. I am originally from Sweden, but have lived in Perth for 20 years now. Time flies!

Australia is a beautiful country and I especially love the fact that you can spend so much time outdoors.

Every time I have been back home visiting, I have seen Nordic Walking in its different “stages”. It took a few years to become a part of regular walking, but is there to stay - at this stage no one raises an eyebrow when a Nordic Walker passes by...

My mother, 74 years of age, has been walking with her poles for years, and she loves it. Many of my friends over there do it regularly, it is addictive!...

I must admit that I felt awkward trying them for the first time those few years back, but you get over it as you feel your whole body is doing a workout, not just your legs! It IS a “dork factor” involved, as people feel silly “skiing without the skis and the snow”, but remember how different it looked those
years back when people started using rollerblades,
kneepads, helmet etc?...

I enjoy my walks so much more these days, as the addition of the poles took the exercise to a new level. Nordic Walking is also a FUN and different way of walking, as you get more spring into your steps when you “propel” yourself forward! You feel you can just keep on going…The poles are also great to use when warming up and cooling down, as you have something to hold on to.

It is not a hard technique to learn, and most people pick it up easily. If you can walk, you can most likely Nordic Walk!

I did cross country skiing when I grew up, and that may have made it a little bit easier. My 24 year old daughter though, who never has been skiing, picked it up in 10 minutes and is very good at it! I still have to convert my 19 year old son though, it's not cool enough for him, yet...;-)

I wanted to introduce them here for a few years, and I eventually started my own small business in August -05. I have been trained by Axess Nordic Walking Academy in Sweden, to be able to show you the right technique including warm-up and cool-down exercises.

I am importing 2 different kinds of hand made walking poles, adjustable. More people in the family can use those, and at times, you might want them slightly lower (light back and neck problem). To increase the strength in your walk and gain more cardiovascular exercise, you can adjust them to be longer. It is also convenient with poles you can fold together, if you want them along when travelling!

They are made according to the Take Apart Principle, which means that you can replace parts as they get worn, eg the asphalt paw, the spike tip and the glove.

I am also introducing Pedestrian Reflectors. We were brought up with them overseas, and I feel it is just as important to have them here in Australia, as it gets really dark here as well. It is a cheap safety device that you attach to your clothing when being outdoors in darker conditions. It can diminish the risk of an accident, as you are noticed 5 times further away than without one. This hopefully makes the driver slow down and pass you safely.

NORDIC WALKING FOR EVERYONE!

Cheers, Annika!