Everyone says walking is one of the best ways to exercise, but how do you do it? Here are some tips to make sure you have the best walking form possible when you begin your walk toward fitness.
- Be aware of your posture.
- Stand up straight. Do not arch your back or lean forward or backwards. The last thing you want is extra pressure on your lower back!
- Keep your chin parallel to the ground and keep your eyes looking forward.
- Hold your tummy in and tuck in your behind.
Think of the walking step as a fluid motion. You lead with the heel and roll through the foot from the heel to the toe.
Use your toes to push off the ground.
You want your knee to be almost fully extended before your heel touches the ground
Allow your back foot to come forward, and repeat.
- When walking, keep your arms bent at a 90 degree angle.
- Do not clinch or squeeze your hands together, as this could cause a rise in blood pressure, and you definitely don’t want that!
- With each step, the arm opposite your forward foot moves straight forward.
- Remember, when moving your arms…
- No “chicken wings;” keep your elbows close to your body.
- Keep your hands below shoulder level.
- Keep your arms in a controlled movement (no flailing).
- And…if you get tired while walking and using your arms, give the arms a break; just walk for a while sans arms and add them back when you feel comfortable.
Then just have fun! It doesn’t matter how far you can go when you first begin. What’s important is that you are up and moving!
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