Here are 6 common mistakes you must avoid while brisk walking

Have you ever heard of the amazing health benefits of walking every day? Are you a part of the 10,000 steps a day tribe? Walking is undoubtedly one of the best exercises that offers a plethora of benefits, when done regularly. 

Our daily life is inundated with stress, anxiety, and depression, which also increases the risk of getting heart-related ailments and other lifestyle diseases. But with brisk walking, you can keep all these illnesses at bay! 

The best part about brisk walking is that it can be done anywhere and anytime. In order to stay injury-free and to reap all the benefits of this exercise, you should be aware of the common mistakes, because who doesn’t want great results?

The right technique not only prevents injuries but will also help you walk faster and longer.

So without further ado, let’s learn about some common mistakes. 

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1. Your walking speed is incorrect

The foremost step to consider while brisk walking is your pace. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), brisk walking must be done at 100 steps per minute. But if you are taking more steps than this, then you are definitely doing it wrong.

2. Your hands shouldn’t cross the centerline of your body

You might have noticed that while walking, your arms swing across the centerline of your body or the arm motion happens at the chest level. This is an incorrect technique of brisk walking, as it is not going to help you increase your walking speed. You should bend your elbows at 90 degrees, while swinging your arms, and your hand should be relaxed. 

3. Don’t twist your waist

You are possibly twisting your waist from side to side, without using force. Right? It mostly happens when you want to run fast. But while brisk walking, you cannot do that. You need to have control of your waist, so it can’t move from side to side.

4. Tense shoulder

If you are looking downward, while your shoulders are tense or tilted forward, it can cause tension in your neck, waist, back, and shoulders. Your shoulder should be relaxed, so that you aren’t straining your neck, while walking and look forward.

5. Don’t bend your back

You should keep your back straight, as you walk. Focus on lengthening your spine while walking instead of bending it. Try to avoid slouching, hunching, and leaning forward, and keep your back straight. 

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6. Leg movement

Well, it’s all about feet when it comes to walking! While briskly walking, you should roll off your feet towards the toes, and push through the ball of your feet. Raise your leg forward and keep the thigh flexed at the hip.

How to brisk walk on a slope:

• To create a better balance on the slope, slightly bend forward and keep your back straight.
• Avoid looking down while walking, otherwise, your neck may get tense.

How to brisk walk down a slope:

• To keep your balance better, keep the back straight and slow down your pace and take small steps.
• Slightly bend your knees forward, so that your joints have less impact.

So, practice the correct technique and reap all the benefits of a brisk walk.