LEKI USA and Crystal Cruises Offer Nordic Walking on Cruises This Fall

LOS ANGELES, CA – In a joint effort to offer innovative wellness programs to people of all fitness levels and ages, luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises and Rick Deutsch, outdoor adventurer and author, in conjunction with LEKI USA, a leading manufacturer of skiing, trekking and Nordic Walking poles, are introducing Nordic Walking aboard Crystal ships starting this fall. Specifically designed to engage the entire body toward movement, Nordic Walking, or fitness walking with lightweight poles, helps to evenly distribute stress while walking, increases stability and improves balance. It can lower blood pressure, burn up to 46 percent more calories, increase oxygen consumption by up to 20 percent, reduce cholesterol and help to relieve back, shoulder and neck pain compared to regular walking.

“We continually strive to stay a step ahead and offer our guests programs that benefit the mind and body,” says Kristin Carlson, Crystal’s manager of entertainment. “Besides the array of indoor gym activities, this new Nordic Walking program takes full advantage of the expansive 360-degree promenade decks aboard Crystal ships.”

“While on a cruise last year I thought how great it would be if I had my LEKI poles with me so I could Nordic Walk out on the beautiful decks Crystal has to offer,” says Rick Deutsch, Nordic Walking specialist and innovator of the Crystal Cruises Nordic Walking program. “This is what sparked my idea to approach these two companies in an attempt to create the first ever Nordic Walking program on board a luxury cruise ship.”

Deutsch will be on board Crystal Serenity’s October 8 cruise from Athens to Venice and Crystal Symphony’s October 19 cruise from New York to Montréal to teach the opening Nordic Walking classes and train the ships’ fitness instructors who will lead demonstrations on subsequent voyages. LEKI USA is providing complimentary use of Nordic Walking poles for guests who participate in the on-board classes, and guests wishing to order a pair of LEKI Nordic Walking poles to be shipped directly to their home may do so through the fitness directors on board.

Featuring rubber tips to assist in push-off of various surfaces like Crystal’s wide decks, LEKI Nordic Walking poles are specifically designed for fitness walking. They feature quick-release Trigger straps, four different types of removable rubber tips (including studded rubber for slick surfaces), and Aluminum and Carbon construction. LEKI adjustable Nordic Walking poles are compactable, making it super easy to throw them in a bag or luggage for an instant gym-on-the-go.

For terms and conditions or Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit crystalcruises.com.