Monday, March 31, 2014

Walk This Way

Our free monthly challenge group has decided to embrace the final arrival of spring and take on a walk/run challenge for April.

We are committed to walk or run (or both) at least one mile a day for 30 days. A walk challenge is such a great way to begin to incorporate fitness into your life.

And while we all have a pretty good grasp on walking, it turns out there are some things to keep in mind in order to ensure the best calorie burn and muscle conditioning.

So, if you're planning your own walking challenge this month (or want to join us by submitting your info in the contact form to the right), keep these tips in mind to ensure good form.

  • Walk straight, but not rigid. You want to be relaxed with good posture. Avoid hunching your shoulders or tensing your back.
  • Keep your head up. Some say to keep your vision focused on a spot several feet in front of you. As a trail runner, I have a bad habit of looking down at my feet when I run or walk. (It's a survival skill in trail running. Otherwise, those roots will get ya!)
  • Bend your arms. You'll burn more calories that way.
  • Keep your core tight. What the heck does that mean? It means pull in those abdominal muscles. It will help strengthen your core and burn more calories.
And hey, if the mood hits ya, don't be afraid to pick up the pace a little very now and then. That's how runners are born. 

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