Sarah Merkel Wins Urban Poling 2012 Trailblazer Award

March 13, 2012

March 13, 2012 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sarah Merkel Wins Urban Poling 2012 Trailblazer Award

Vancouver, B.C. – Sarah Merkel, of London, Ont., has won the 2012 Urban Poling Trailblazer Award. The award is presented to certified Urban Poling Nordic walking instructors who have made an outstanding contribution to the wellbeing of their communities by promoting healthy lifestyles through urban poling.

Ask Sarah how long she’s been in the fitness business, and she says with a laugh, “All my life! I’ve been promoting health and fitness for as long as I can remember.”

The busy fitness pro has been teaching urban poling classes, one-on-one lessons and instructor certification courses across Southwestern Ontario and spreading her passion for poling since 2008. Sarah also incorporates the urban poling workout at London’s Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging where she works with older adults and is a master trainer for its Seniors’ Fitness Instructor Course.

“My participants love it!” says Sarah, “They’re experiencing weight loss, higher energy, and the excitement that poles add to walking and hiking.” Read more

Nordic Walkers To Make Big Impact – Vancouver Sun Run 2012

February 3, 2012

Press Release - VANCOUVER SUN RUN

A UNIQUE FITNESS TREND GAINING MOMENTUM LIKE A STEAM ENGINE.

 Nordic walkers aim to make a big impact at 2012 Sun Run

YOUR COMMUNITY STORY

Move over Sun Run runners and walkers. You’ll need to make room for a throng of Nordic walkers this year!

SportMedBC in partnership with Urban Poling Inc. has seen a rapid expansion in this year’s Sun Run Nordic Walking InTraining clinics as popularity for this unique fitness trend grows rapidly across British Columbia. Growth from 3 clinics in 2007 to 25 Sun Run InTraining clinics offering Nordic Walking in 2012, reflect how this low intensity, high aerobic workout is appealing to spirited walkers and elite runners. Read more

Mandy Shintani – YMCA’s Women of Distinction

June 4, 2010

On June 1, 2010, the YMCA held its 27th Annual Women of Distinction awards ceremony. Urban Poling Co-owner Mandy Shintani was among the women honoured at the ceremony, nominated for an award in the area of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Though Mandy did not win the award, she had the pleasure of attending the ceremony and meeting dozens of outstanding women in the community.

“I did not win the award, but I feel that it was a great honour to be nominated by our Certified Instructors. Thanks to everyone for their votes, support and words of encouragement,” co-owner Mandy Shintani said.

“I am extremely grateful for the generosity and kindness of the fitness instructors across Canada who believed in Urban Poling and passionately helped me with my dream to spread the word across the country.”

To schedule an interview with Urban Poling Inc., please contact Mandy Shintani at 604-990-7711 or mandy@urbanpoling.com.

Urban Poling & Wingham Pharmasave

December 12, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Urban Poling – Changing the Way We Walk

New Craze started with Town and Country Support Services

HURON COUNTY, ON – “We’ve never started a craze before, but that’s exactly what’s happening now. People stop me in the street to tell me how much they love urban poling,” says Cheryl Phillips, Wellness Supervisor with Town and Country Support Services.

The desire for healthy, active aging, along with people’s need for low-cost exercise activities has created an upswing in walking for fitness.  Now walkers have another option – urban poling.

Also known as Nordic walking, urban poling is a full-body, low-impact activity that engages 90% of the body’s muscles. All that’s needed are specially designed walking poles to begin exercising on neighbourhood streets and local trails.

”We ran free demos in eleven different towns within Huron County since April and have completed over twelve 4-week sessions since then and still going strong,” says VandenHeuvel, Wellness  Coordinator with Town and Country Support Services in Clinton. ”We attracted easily over 150 new people – people from their 40s to their 80s.”

“We can’t keep up with the demand for classes,” says volunteer instructor, Carol Phillips.

“Our county has only 3,000 residents…so were completely surprised that we sold over 24 pairs of poles from the spring flyer,” says James Brown of Brown’s Pharmacy in Wingham Ontario. “Urban Poling has really taken off in our area and many of our customers have told us that it has helped them realize their fitness goals.”

According to Mandy Shintani, an occupational therapist and co-director of Vancouver-based Urban Poling Inc., “Urban Poling is one of the most effective ways to improve your posture, stabiltiy and balance as well as getting an effective workout as it burns up to 46% more calories compared to regular walking. People with sore hips and knees or arthritic joints love poling because it relieves joint stresses letting them walk farther and faster.”

Town and Country Support Services classes

Where: Wescast Community Complex parking lot, Wingham

When: Monday & Wednesdays at 9:30 am starting September 14.

ABOUT URBAN POLING INC.:

Urban Poling Inc., a Canadian company based in Vancouver offers the only instructor training centre in Canada that are recognized by the five Canadian fitness organizations (AFLCA, BCRPA, SPRA, OKA & Can-Fit-Pro).

CONTACT:

Nadine VandenHeuvel, Wellness Coordinator, Town and Country Support Services, 1-877-502-8277

Cheryl Phillips, Wellness Supervisor, Town and Country Support Services, 1-877-502-8277

Carol Phillips, volunteer fitness instructor, 519-357-3222

James Brown, Brown’s Pharmacy 519 357-1629

Mandy Shintani, occupational therapist and co-director, Urban Poling Inc., 604-990-7711, toll free. 877-499-7999, mandy@urbanpoling.com, www.urbanpoling.com