How to Walk Right
By Sara Butler
Walking is an easy form of exercise that can be done by just about anyone, no matter their fitness level. Carving out just 20 minutes a day to walk at a moderate to brisk pace can have a huge positive impact on your health and wellness. Even though you walk every single day, if you’re going to walk as exercise, then there are few things you need to be aware of. Here are some tips to help you walk your way to better health.
The Right Form
You may have been walking ever since you can remember, but are you really walking right? When walking, you should:
- Keep your spine straight with ears over the shoulders and shoulders over hips
- Keep arms bent at 90 degrees
- Walk heel to toe with each step
- Find a good walking routine to help improve your health
Walking should be a smooth motion, don’t jerk your arms around or slap your feet on the pavement. Keep your stride consistent and body relaxed to do it right.
The Dos
When you’re walking, there are some things you should definitely be doing. You should:
- Get outside – If the weather permits, you should go outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. Different terrains also work different muscle groups, which is much more effective than just walking on a treadmill. Plus, you burn more calories with wind resistance!
- Get creative – If you must walk inside, then get creative by walking backward. This helps to build up your quadriceps and the muscles in your lower leg down your shins. Dial up the incline on your treadmill and walk backward (safely) for a few minutes.
- Track your progress – Use a pedometer or fitness tracker to keep track of your steps. Studies have shown that tracking this information helps to increase activity level in people.
The Don’ts
There are few things you need to steer clear of when walking. You should:
- Get the right shoes – Running shoes and walking shoes aren’t the same. Running shoes are often stiff and can make the heel-to-toe action you’re looking for in walking more difficult. Go for shoes that are flexible, lightweight, and that fits well with plenty of room for your toes.
- Lose the weights – When you want to lose weight, don’t add weights to your walk. That’s because they might do more harm than good by increasing your risk of injury.
- Keep up the pace – You should not go too slowly if you want to see results. Aim for a brisk pace.
You can walk your way to good health; just make sure you’re doing it the right way!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Shiloh, Ill.