Why is going backwards good for us?

Posted on fitness And tagged fitness, walking, walking backwards, power walking, exercise

We're all looking forward to a new year full of opportunities. But wait, should we really go backwards? It might sound a bit eccentric, but there are plenty of reasons to put one foot behind the other—here are a few of them.

You've been doing this all your life. Put one foot in front of the other and move forward. But are you doing it right? We're overloaded with information about how we should walk — what posture we should adopt, whether our arms should be bent or straight, whether we should hit with our toe or heel — and what about all that 10k steps-per-day myth? There is no end to it.

Enter, go backwards. Celebrated in China for its health and mental benefits, walking backwards (or retro walking, as it's also known) has many benefits. Whether you do it on the treadmill or in the park, the benefits are the same.

Why is walking backwards good for you? The facts:

It might feel a bit odd at first. You might even get a few puzzled looks. But who cares what other people think when there are plenty of benefits...

● Walking backwards burns more calories. When you move backwards instead of forwards, your heart pumps faster, which means you get a cardio fix, boost your metabolism, and burn more calories in less time.

● Walking backwards is great for balance. Your body is used to moving forward without thinking. But when you change direction upwards, you throw your body's center of gravity slightly out of balance and demand more stability to maintain balance. Always make sure you're moving in an area with no obstacles to avoid falls or collisions.

● Walking backwards sharpens the senses. Since it runs counter to our logic, going backwards sharpens your thinking skills. You need to watch out for what makes your mental muscles tense, increases body awareness, and improves your eyesight.

● Walking backwards is easier on joints and backs. If you have any type of back or knee injury, you'll soon see why walking backwards is good for you when you start walking backwards. It takes the usual heel position, requires less range of motion in your joints than walking forward, and changes your pelvic orientation to open joints in your spine — potentially relieving back pain.

● Walking backwards does wonders for flexibility and strength. Walking backwards for 10-15 minutes four days a week can help you bend your hamstrings and strengthen the muscles that normally take a back seat as you move forward (looking at you, your quads, and calves).

● Walking backwards messes up your routine. Are you bored of the same old exercises? Walking backwards not only provides a range of benefits for your mind and body, but it also adds variety to your activities and reduces monotony — meaning you're more likely to stick with your workout.

Try something new and go backwards. Find a place where you can go backwards without worrying about meeting someone or stepping onto a street, such as in a local park. Or go to a club near you and practice on a treadmill at low speed, on an incline, to boost your quads.

Posted on fitness And tagged fitness, walking, walking backwards, power walking, exercise.