There are plenty of ways we can get things wrong in life, and apparently, walking is one of them.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who constantly realizes I’ve been doing something completely wrong—like turning food while cooking, for instance.
For the longest time, I assumed the cooking instruction to “turn the food” meant flipping the actual food (like fries), but it turns out it refers to turning the baking tray 180 degrees to ensure even cooking.
But it’s not just cooking that we can get wrong; Joanna Hall, a sports scientist and the founder of the WalkActive method, argues that we’re walking incorrectly, too.
Speaking to the New York Post, she highlighted four common mistakes we’re making while walking.
“Straining the Wrong Muscles”
Personally, I wouldn’t exactly know which muscles I’m using when walking, but apparently, if you feel any discomfort in your lower back, it’s a sign you’re walking incorrectly.
“The first mistake people make is overusing their hip flexors, which are naturally tight,” Hall explained.
“We actually want to engage our posterior chain,” she continued, referring to the muscles running from the upper back all the way down to the calves.
By relying too much on the hip flexors and overworking the glutes and abs, it tightens things up and shortens your stride.
“Inactive Feet”
According to Bristol Nordic Walking, a passive foot strike happens when your foot lands flat instead of rolling from the heel to the toes.
“Not only does this hinder the body’s ability to absorb the impact and transfer the force, but it also places stress on the entire skeleton,” the website further clarifies.
Apparently, there are right and wrong ways to walk (Getty Stock Image)
Expanding on why this is incorrect, the sports scientist explained to NYP: “Joints are designed for movement. However, when we walk improperly—due to a passive foot strike and excessive use of our hip flexors—it prevents us from fully engaging all the joints in our feet.”
The effects of this type of walking on the body can include knee pain and discomfort, particularly, and it can prevent the hamstrings from functioning properly, which further disrupts walking mechanics.
“Head-Only Movement”
We’ve all been guilty of looking down at our phones as we walk down the street, but this habit may be impacting the way we walk, according to Hall.
“People often lean forward from the head,” she explained. “This has significant consequences for how the body moves.”
When our head is tilted forward, it puts strain on the muscles in the upper back and restricts the spine’s ability to rotate fully.
Many of us are guilty of walking while looking down at our phones (Getty Stock Image)
“We want to encourage rotation of the spine because it enhances both our mobility and posture,” Hall explained.
Tilting your head forward also restricts your oxygen intake, as it reduces the movement of the diaphragm.
Maybe it’s time to give the Gen Z trend of ‘silent walking’ a try?
“Living Without Limits: Thriving Without the Use of Arms”
Have you ever attempted to run without using your arms? If so, you know how challenging it can be, and the same applies when walking.
“When the arms are inactive, we miss out on full-body movement,” Hall explained.
“It specifically limits our ability to engage the abdominal muscles and shape the waistline.”
Interestingly, using your arms while walking also helps you burn more calories.
