By Chris Barge
Camera Staff Writer

When it comes to suburban pole-assisted walking, Tom Rutlin isn't messing around. The inventor of the Exerstrider has been peddling a new cross-country walking paradigm for more than 17 years.

While many experts now advocate walking and hiking with poles to take the stress and strain off the back and knees, Rutlin says his total body walking workout is finally catching on in America.

"I don't hesitate to take credit for the fact that I've really started a new fitness activity," Rutlin said.

In 1985, Rutlin, a long-distance runner and cross-country ski instructor, was hobbled by a heel spur while training for a foot race. The stubborn fitness enthusiast quickly realized he could get away with running if he took along his ski poles.

Then his wife had knee surgery, and the two began walking with ski poles. Looking for a little more exercise, Rutlin began leaning into the poles like a cross-country skier. Soon, he realized he was on to something. A walk in the park became a full-body workout, especially working the large, core strength muscles of the trunk.

Rutlin developed custom poles and an exercise program, brought them to market and watched as almost everyone in America treated the Exerstrider as if it were nothing more than the latest late-night infomercial gimmick.

Then, in 1997, a Finnish company, Exel, introduced a nearly identical product to the Finnish fitness market. Today, Rutlin said, 10 percent of the Finnish population is Nordic walking.

For more information on the Exerstrider, call (800) 554-0989 or go to www.exerstrider.com.

Want to hit the trails? Sean Gavin, a camping specialist at the REI Denver Flagship store, highly recommends picking up a pair of walking poles first. REI sells about eight varieties of poles ranging in cost from $50 to $130.

"It's a great way to alleviate stress on the knees and back and to prevent injury," Gavin said.

The poles sold by REI are telescoping gadgets that contract to between one-half and one-third the extended length. While the cheaper poles are aluminum and come with foam grips, the more expensive models are titanium and come with cork handles.

Many of the upper-end models are also lightweight and have anti-shock systems. Gavin, who will head to Nepal this summer with a pair of $80 Komperdell Ultralight poles, said some tent manufacturers have begun making pole-free tents that utilize trekking poles.

Think you don't need poles?

"The problem with the people who don't use trekking poles is everyone who has a bad back started out perfectly healthy," he said.

Contact Staff Writer Chris Barge at (303) 473-1389 or bargec@thedailycamera.com.

April 24, 2002

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