Proper Walking Form to Optimize Your Workout.

Most people don’t think of walking as being a workout. It is the most natural way a human can move their body. It’s just too easy. Think about it. If you have ever been on vacation, especially overseas, they walk everywhere. You have probably found it easier to walk from one sight to the next. If so, you understand the power in walking. How can you optimize this workout?

Check your posture

With anything, you have to set yourself up correctly. First, relax your body. Take a neutral stance. Look at your feet. They should be midline beneath your body with your toes pointed forward. Next, make sure your hips are positioned beneath your shoulders. Now, back straight. Chest out. Core tight and eyes straight ahead. This positioning is universal for fitness and life for that matter. It builds confidence. (It is also good to use when walking out of someone’s face or down a dark street alone at night).

Make sure you have the proper stride

Walkers get most of their power from the muscles in the back of the body. Your glutes, hamstrings, and calves will do most the work. When walking, open your stride enough so that you can leave your leg behind you for one second longer to open your hips. This also adds more activation to your glutes. Swing your arms while you walk. It brings balance, power and momentum to your gait.

Check your foot strike

Most people, myself included, think that you are supposed to let your heel strike the ground first. It seems easiest to do this while picking up speed. However, you will optimize your workout if you let your mid foot strike the ground first. As I tried this, I found that it activates your glutes and your core more that a heel strike.

Now that we have the posture down, check out this video on how get a more intense walking workout that burns more calories.