How to walk properly to avoid pain and burn fat
Sports scientist and fitness trainer Joanna Hall has created a new walking workout designed to realign the body and burn fat.
Joanna created Walk Your Waist Off because she believes too many people are walking incorrectly and therefore failing to build any strength or fitness.
She says people rarely make use of their natural stride, and few are fully aware of the natural pressures of gravity on the internal organs. By learning how to position our muscles properly during walking, it is possible to feel and look better.
Better posture, balance and strength all combine to reduce muscle and joint pain, while walking improves cardiovascular health and builds stamina.
Joanna says her walking workout is "ideal for anyone who is post-op, or has a chronic health problem such as arthritis, as it strengthens the body from the inside.’’
By strengthening the protective wall of connective tissue that protects our internal organs, the body becomes tighter and more supported - like wrapping cling-film around your insides. This reduces both the risk of injury and back pain.
Here are some tips from Joanna for walking correctly:
1. Concentrate on the ball of your foot landing on the ground in a rolling motion, followed by your toes. Imagine you have Velcro on your feet and you're peeling them off the ground.
This movement as you walk should help you become more aware of a stretch in your quads, hamstrings and glutes.
2. Try to create a gap between your hip bone and lowest rib to alleviate pressure on your hip joint and tone your abdominal muscles. As you move, try to keep your hips fairly still as if you are balancing a glass of water on each. This will encourage your glutes to activate, therefore burning more calories due to the extra work.
3. Think about lengthening the distance between your shoulders and your ears. Try not to jut your chin out or stoop. Let your arms hang freely - no fierce movements or stiff elbows! This should naturally ease any stiffness in your neck, shoulders and back.
Physical exercise is necessary for good health and fitness. If you are interested in alternative therapy for pain relief, please visit our Therapy Topics page.
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