4 Steps to Perfect Walking Form
By: Liz Neporent
Maintaining good form while you walk will help you burn more
calories with each step and avoid injury. Keep these guidelines in
mind during every walking workout.
- Head, shoulders and chest: Keep your head up
and centered between your shoulders. Focus your eyes straight
ahead. Keep your shoulders back and down. Your chest should be
naturally lifted, as if there were a string attached to the center
that gently pulls it upwards.
- Arms and hands: Your arms should be bent at 90
degrees. Swing them back and forth -- not side to side -- and keep
them close to your body. Keep your hands loosely cupped as if you
are holding a butterfly that you don’t want to escape but you
don’t want to crush either.
- Abdominals: Pull your belly button gently in
toward your spine and tuck your pelvis forward ever so slightly so
you feel tall, stable and upright.
- Hips, thighs and feet: Power your movements
from your hips rather than your thighs, but keep your hips loose
and natural. Take short, fast strides that still feel natural
rather than awkward. Land firmly on your heels and roll smoothly to
push off with your toes. Think of planting your heel and then
"pushing the ground away from you" as you roll through your
foot.
- Breathing and heart rate: Your breathing will
be loud, but concentrate on keeping it even and steady. Your heart
will be thumping, but focus on keeping the beats steady and
regular.
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