Power Walking Technique

Learning the correct power walking technique can give your fitness routine a jump start. This story will give you a step-by-step guide to getting it just right.

Amongst the many methods of fitness training, power walking ranks high on effectiveness. It is a form of cardiovascular exercise, that is especially beneficial for people who have been advised to perform low impact exercises to keep joint pain at bay.

Following the right technique while power walking can ensure that you get the most out of it without the risk of strain or injury. It is also important to maximize the benefits of your workout and to lose weight.

If you're looking for a low impact cardio routine, you may find your answer in this exercise. Calories burned in an hour of walking at a speed of approximately 4.5 miles per hour would be around the 400 mark, for a 140 lbs. body weight.

As with any other form of exercise, it's important to pay attention to form and posture. This is particularly important as incorrect posture can reduce the effectiveness of your workout, resulting in demotivation. To make sure you're doing it right, take note of the following pointers.

Maintaining the right posture is the first thing to note. When you start, stand tall, elongate the spine, and square your shoulders. Look straight, keeping your chin parallel to the ground; this is to ensure that you don't strain your neck and shoulders. As far as possible, keep your eyes focused approximately 20 feet ahead of you, if you must look down to see where you're stepping, lower your eyes, not your head.

Maintain a ninety degree angle with your arms bent at your side. When your arms swing by your sides, as they normally do when you walk, increased speed and duration of exercise can make your fingers tingle or your hands cold. Keeping your arms bent increases the tension in your muscles, giving your arms a minor but beneficial amount of toning.

This position of your arms will automatically lead you into picking up speed and maintaining it. While maintaining this posture, it's essential to make sure that the arm swing is natural and not 'tensed'.

If you are new to power walking, you may find yourself getting easily tired when swinging your arms. When this happens, lower them till you feel rested enough to continue.

This movement is probably the hardest to describe and possibly the easiest to go wrong with. The best way to get this, is by observing others doing it. If you've noticed, one of the most noticeable factors is the characteristic gait that power walkers maintain.

This is best described, as leading with your hip, by rotating the hip flexors to cause the leg to move forward.

The heel of your foot should land at a forty five degree angle, before you push off with your toes to begin the next step. Also, keep in mind that the foot placement should be directly in front of the body, as though you're walking in a straight line. If you're doing it right, you will find that the motion is fairly smooth and easy.

Make sure that your head doesn't bob up and down as this could mean that your body is out of balance. In addition, the most productive technique will call for you to maintain your natural stride while increasing the pace at which you walk, instead of attempting to lengthen your stride.

Build up to a pace that works up a sweat and gets your heart pumping, which could be somewhere near 4.5 to 5.5 miles per hour. A pedometer will help you in this endeavor.

The correct techniques give your entire body a workout, which helps to keep your lungs and heart healthy. It's also a great way to tone muscles. When combined with a strength training routine, it can form an integral part of a total body fitness program.

Always remember to perform some stretching exercises as a part of warm up, before you begin. Make sure you wear the right type of shoes and comfortable clothes. Combine this routine with a healthy diet, and you'll be much healthier, fitter, and active!

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only. Always consult a physician before starting any physical fitness program in order to reduce the risk of injury.