At first glance, it seems a small army of cross-country skiers have invaded Dubai’s beaches.
Closer inspection, however, reveals a fitness craze using handheld poles that’s sweeping the city’s parks and beaches.
Polewalking has already taken the city by storm as enthusiasts pick up specially designed poles to give them an increased upper body workout.
Former marathon runner and Usui Reiki Master Joanna Macdonald is responsible for bringing this sport to Dubai through her company, Keenfit.
The British expat launched the company last year to bolster a safe form of exercise for young and old alike who have achieved all kinds of fitness levels.
"The idea is to create an entire community. It’s really an easy thing to do," said Macdonald. "You don’t have to be an athlete, anyone can do this."
Polewalkers have been meeting across Dubai, but tend to favour the beach because walking in the sand helps get a better grip, Macdonald said. "In the sand you get better traction. It’s a real workout on the beach," she said. Workouts usually last for 40 minutes, including a cool-down period that integrates the poles to do final stretches.
Polewalking is gaining in popularity as much as it did in Scandinavia where the sport was founded, Macdonald said.
In Europe, there are thousands of polewalkers who meet in groups for daily sessions – especially on weekends.
One of the biggest attractions is that it fits into an already well-established European love for walking. "The poles are designed to give a 40 per cent greater upper body workout," said Macdonald.
Polewalkers also get a 20 per cent greater aerobic exercise thanks to the movement of the arms and poles that turn a regular walk into a "full-body workout".
Macdonald is a certified trainer who turned to poles when she was forced to leave marathon running behind because of its nature as a high-impact sport.
"Pole walking is great if orthopaedic problems prevent you from running anymore, which is what happened to me," she said. Using the poles offer support for the knees and the back when walking.
Macdonald said it’s important to stay in shape to meet each challenge life throws at you.
To get Dubai on what she calls the "right path", Macdonald is giving a series of free clinics to teach people how to benefit most from polewalking. Free poles are provided in the clinics.
Where to join them
Clinics are offered all across the city with each session lasting 40 to 45 minutes. Here are some venues:
Safa Park: Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8.15am. The group meets at Gate No. 2 (on Wednesday, the meeting takes place at the same spot, but at 6pm)
The Beach: Thursday at 8.15am. The group meets adjacent to the Dubai Regent Hotel on 39A Street
Creek Park: Tuesday at 8.15am The group meets at Gate No. 2
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Thursday, May 22, 2008
Walk to good health: Pole fitness
At first glance, it seems a small army of cross-country skiers have invaded Dubai’s beaches.
Closer inspection, however, reveals a fitness craze using handheld poles that’s sweeping the city’s parks and beaches.
Polewalking has already taken the city by storm as enthusiasts pick up specially designed poles to give them an increased upper body workout.
Former marathon runner and Usui Reiki Master Joanna Macdonald is responsible for bringing this sport to Dubai through her company, Keenfit.
The British expat launched the company last year to bolster a safe form of exercise for young and old alike who have achieved all kinds of fitness levels.
"The idea is to create an entire community. It’s really an easy thing to do," said Macdonald. "You don’t have to be an athlete, anyone can do this."
Polewalkers have been meeting across Dubai, but tend to favour the beach because walking in the sand helps get a better grip, Macdonald said. "In the sand you get better traction. It’s a real workout on the beach," she said. Workouts usually last for 40 minutes, including a cool-down period that integrates the poles to do final stretches.
Polewalking is gaining in popularity as much as it did in Scandinavia where the sport was founded, Macdonald said.
In Europe, there are thousands of polewalkers who meet in groups for daily sessions – especially on weekends.
One of the biggest attractions is that it fits into an already well-established European love for walking. "The poles are designed to give a 40 per cent greater upper body workout," said Macdonald.
Polewalkers also get a 20 per cent greater aerobic exercise thanks to the movement of the arms and poles that turn a regular walk into a "full-body workout".
Macdonald is a certified trainer who turned to poles when she was forced to leave marathon running behind because of its nature as a high-impact sport.
"Pole walking is great if orthopaedic problems prevent you from running anymore, which is what happened to me," she said. Using the poles offer support for the knees and the back when walking.
Macdonald said it’s important to stay in shape to meet each challenge life throws at you.
To get Dubai on what she calls the "right path", Macdonald is giving a series of free clinics to teach people how to benefit most from polewalking. Free poles are provided in the clinics.
Where to join them
Clinics are offered all across the city with each session lasting 40 to 45 minutes. Here are some venues:
Safa Park: Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8.15am. The group meets at Gate No. 2 (on Wednesday, the meeting takes place at the same spot, but at 6pm)
The Beach: Thursday at 8.15am. The group meets adjacent to the Dubai Regent Hotel on 39A Street
Creek Park: Tuesday at 8.15am The group meets at Gate No. 2
RSS>
Photo gallery> Email this article>
Printer-friendly version>
top stories in life
Swinging at 65: Indy is back>
Walk to good health: Pole fitness>
Skiboarding World Cup in Dubai>
Classic cars: Collector’s items>
editor's choice
news
Torn apart: When love's gone>
life
Swinging at 65: Indy is back>
news
Dubai Dolphinarium: Wonder shows>
sport
Figure skating: Amira's waltz on ice>
life
Caption comp 22/05>
vote
Who's the greatest Hollywood hero?
Rambo
Neo
Indiana Jones
James Bond
Jason Bourne
Atticus Finch
© Copyright 2007 Al Nisr Media FZ LLC. All rights reserved
Home
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Story Tip Advanced Search
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Closer inspection, however, reveals a fitness craze using handheld poles that’s sweeping the city’s parks and beaches.
Polewalking has already taken the city by storm as enthusiasts pick up specially designed poles to give them an increased upper body workout.
Former marathon runner and Usui Reiki Master Joanna Macdonald is responsible for bringing this sport to Dubai through her company, Keenfit.
The British expat launched the company last year to bolster a safe form of exercise for young and old alike who have achieved all kinds of fitness levels.
"The idea is to create an entire community. It’s really an easy thing to do," said Macdonald. "You don’t have to be an athlete, anyone can do this."
Polewalkers have been meeting across Dubai, but tend to favour the beach because walking in the sand helps get a better grip, Macdonald said. "In the sand you get better traction. It’s a real workout on the beach," she said. Workouts usually last for 40 minutes, including a cool-down period that integrates the poles to do final stretches.
Polewalking is gaining in popularity as much as it did in Scandinavia where the sport was founded, Macdonald said.
In Europe, there are thousands of polewalkers who meet in groups for daily sessions – especially on weekends.
One of the biggest attractions is that it fits into an already well-established European love for walking. "The poles are designed to give a 40 per cent greater upper body workout," said Macdonald.
Polewalkers also get a 20 per cent greater aerobic exercise thanks to the movement of the arms and poles that turn a regular walk into a "full-body workout".
Macdonald is a certified trainer who turned to poles when she was forced to leave marathon running behind because of its nature as a high-impact sport.
"Pole walking is great if orthopaedic problems prevent you from running anymore, which is what happened to me," she said. Using the poles offer support for the knees and the back when walking.
Macdonald said it’s important to stay in shape to meet each challenge life throws at you.
To get Dubai on what she calls the "right path", Macdonald is giving a series of free clinics to teach people how to benefit most from polewalking. Free poles are provided in the clinics.
Where to join them
Clinics are offered all across the city with each session lasting 40 to 45 minutes. Here are some venues:
Safa Park: Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8.15am. The group meets at Gate No. 2 (on Wednesday, the meeting takes place at the same spot, but at 6pm)
The Beach: Thursday at 8.15am. The group meets adjacent to the Dubai Regent Hotel on 39A Street
Creek Park: Tuesday at 8.15am The group meets at Gate No. 2
RSS>
Photo gallery> Email this article>
Printer-friendly version>
top stories in life
Swinging at 65: Indy is back>
Walk to good health: Pole fitness>
Skiboarding World Cup in Dubai>
Classic cars: Collector’s items>
editor's choice
news
Torn apart: When love's gone>
life
Swinging at 65: Indy is back>
news
Dubai Dolphinarium: Wonder shows>
sport
Figure skating: Amira's waltz on ice>
life
Caption comp 22/05>
vote
Who's the greatest Hollywood hero?
Rambo
Neo
Indiana Jones
James Bond
Jason Bourne
Atticus Finch
© Copyright 2007 Al Nisr Media FZ LLC. All rights reserved
Home
About Us
Story Tip Advanced Search
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
FITNESS PROFILE: Introducing... Jen McDermott
When and why you began to exercise: I have worked out for pretty much my whole life. In high school I ran track. In college, I was looking for something to do, and began to work out to be in better shape.
When I moved here two years ago, I saw a woman in the gym who was always giving it 100 percent. I thought, I want to surround myself with people like this, because she really knew what she was doing and she looked really good. I asked if she would train me, and she said yes. We became really good friends, and that’s when I really began getting serious about exercising.
Type you do: I do everything. I lift weights. I do triathlons, so I try to keep that in mind when I plan my routine, and kick up the cardio in January. I take a lot of spinning classes, and I bike, swim and run.
I probably exercise at least six days a week, and I work with personal trainer Jaret Crass at Valhalla Health and Fitness Club, Exeter Township.
Two of the triathlons I’m doing this year are with Team in Training. I got involved after my father died in December of mesothelmia.
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Top 10 Articles of the Day
1. UPDATE: Exeter man hiking Appalachian Trail reaches Virginia
2. Reading teen pleads guilty to murdering friend, 17
3. Snyder asks judge for delay
4. Kenhorst residents’ tips lead to two drug arrests
5. Millions in repairs set for I-176
6. Schuylkill County man held in slayings of pair; 1 victim attended RHS
7. Working on Hamburg’s wild side
8. Cocaine found in stolen car after crash, Reading police say
9. Reading City Council works to tighten disruptive-tenant ordinance
10. High food costs seeding ideas for home gardens
Seeing him go through that motivated me to take a more active role in fundraising and helping to find a cure.
Hardest hurdle to overcome: For me, I think it would just be the struggle of maintaining my full-time job and being able to work out as much as I want. I’m really trying to place in the triathlons this year, so I’m really trying to stay conscious of my goals so that I can see the results that I hope to.
Biggest exercise achievement: I ran a half-marathon in November. A year before that, I hated running — I was always looking at the clock while I ran. It was my least-favorite thing, so I decided to work hard at it and get better. I went from not liking it at all to training and participating in a half-marathon, and actually wanting to do it.
How exercise helps you: For me, it’s a relief of the negative parts of life — all the stress and pressures. It’s a place I can go and come back feeling like I imagine most people feel after getting a massage — clearheaded and relaxed and able to go on with the rest of my day.
Tips to others: Don’t give up. When you want to give up, just go on five more minutes or do one more set. You can always, always find the inner strength, and once you’ve done it, I can’t imagine that you wouldn’t be proud of yourself for accomplishing something.
— Compiled by Elizabeth Giorgi
• Once a week Lifestyle will profile a person who has made exercise a part of his or her life. If you know someone who enjoys being physically active, write to Fitness profile, Reading Eagle Company, P.O. Box 582, Reading, PA 19603, or e-mail lifestyle@readingeagle.com. Include the person’s name, address and telephone number and why you think he or she should be profiled.
When I moved here two years ago, I saw a woman in the gym who was always giving it 100 percent. I thought, I want to surround myself with people like this, because she really knew what she was doing and she looked really good. I asked if she would train me, and she said yes. We became really good friends, and that’s when I really began getting serious about exercising.
Type you do: I do everything. I lift weights. I do triathlons, so I try to keep that in mind when I plan my routine, and kick up the cardio in January. I take a lot of spinning classes, and I bike, swim and run.
I probably exercise at least six days a week, and I work with personal trainer Jaret Crass at Valhalla Health and Fitness Club, Exeter Township.
Two of the triathlons I’m doing this year are with Team in Training. I got involved after my father died in December of mesothelmia.
Click to Show Top 10 Articles
Close this List
Top 10 Articles of the Day
1. UPDATE: Exeter man hiking Appalachian Trail reaches Virginia
2. Reading teen pleads guilty to murdering friend, 17
3. Snyder asks judge for delay
4. Kenhorst residents’ tips lead to two drug arrests
5. Millions in repairs set for I-176
6. Schuylkill County man held in slayings of pair; 1 victim attended RHS
7. Working on Hamburg’s wild side
8. Cocaine found in stolen car after crash, Reading police say
9. Reading City Council works to tighten disruptive-tenant ordinance
10. High food costs seeding ideas for home gardens
Seeing him go through that motivated me to take a more active role in fundraising and helping to find a cure.
Hardest hurdle to overcome: For me, I think it would just be the struggle of maintaining my full-time job and being able to work out as much as I want. I’m really trying to place in the triathlons this year, so I’m really trying to stay conscious of my goals so that I can see the results that I hope to.
Biggest exercise achievement: I ran a half-marathon in November. A year before that, I hated running — I was always looking at the clock while I ran. It was my least-favorite thing, so I decided to work hard at it and get better. I went from not liking it at all to training and participating in a half-marathon, and actually wanting to do it.
How exercise helps you: For me, it’s a relief of the negative parts of life — all the stress and pressures. It’s a place I can go and come back feeling like I imagine most people feel after getting a massage — clearheaded and relaxed and able to go on with the rest of my day.
Tips to others: Don’t give up. When you want to give up, just go on five more minutes or do one more set. You can always, always find the inner strength, and once you’ve done it, I can’t imagine that you wouldn’t be proud of yourself for accomplishing something.
— Compiled by Elizabeth Giorgi
• Once a week Lifestyle will profile a person who has made exercise a part of his or her life. If you know someone who enjoys being physically active, write to Fitness profile, Reading Eagle Company, P.O. Box 582, Reading, PA 19603, or e-mail lifestyle@readingeagle.com. Include the person’s name, address and telephone number and why you think he or she should be profiled.
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