Illustrating its commitment to offering innovative wellness programs, luxury specialist Crystal Cruises is introducing aboard its ships Nordic Walking, fitness walking with lightweight poles. Through an exclusive new partnership with LEKI USA, a leading manufacturer of skiing, trekking and Nordic Walking Poles, Crystal continues to break new ground in fitness options at sea. Specifically designed to engage the entire body, the Nordic Walking poles will be available complimentarily to guests aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity this October.

“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 program takes full advantage of the expansive 360-degree promenade decks aboard Crystal ships.”

Featuring rubber tips to assist in push-off various surfaces, like Crystal’s wide decks, Nordic Walking poles help to evenly distribute stress while walking, increase stability, and improve balance, and alleviate the steady impact of running and jogging, while offering similar benefits. Using the poles exercises the upper and lower body while walking, adding to the cardiovascular benefit and burning up to 46% more calories than walking without them.

Nordic Walking Poles specialist Rick 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 classes and train the ships’ fitness instructors, who will lead demonstrations on following voyages.

Crystal has long been a trendsetter in sophisticated wellness programming. In addition to the 360-degree promenade decks ““ a rarity in luxury cruising ““ both ships boast well appointed fitness centers with state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment. Recently introduced indoor cycling classes and Kinesis„¢ machines join exclusive offerings like the Walk on Water® program utilizing weighted Walkvests®, complimentary yoga and Pilates mat classes, and lectures from Cleveland Clinic experts.

Guests wishing to order a set of Nordic Walking Poles may do so through the fitness directors on board.