When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
Theres a saying: Go backwards to spring forward.
I never really got it until I started literally walking backwards.
Instead, I took a different approach walking backwards.
It slowed me down, but surprisingly, my health sped up.
Impressive, but I think Ill leave breaking any records and marathons to the experts.
7 things I learned from backwards walking in 30 days
1.
I even felt it in my heels, which was unexpected.
My balance and posture improved
Backwards walking is often praised forimproving balance.
After 30 days, I can confirm its true.
Over time, this can even improve reflexes and overall stability.
Its much harder to slouch when youre walking in reverse, which encourages better posture.
That said, the unnatural motion of walking backwards required more brain power and core strength from me.
Because the movement engages the glutes, it can help relieve some of the pressure on the knee joints.
Ill gladly take those results!
This is one reason why physiotherapists often recommend backward walking for low back rehabilitation.
It helped me stay more present
One of the unexpected benefits I found was the mental focus it required.
I stayed more present and mindful of my technique, something I often forget when walking forward.
We’ve all witnessed those treadmill walkers glued to their phones, right?
Im guilty of that too.
But when walking backwards, your focus must be on the task at hand.
This rang especially true when I did it in the morning.
It helped wake me up,boosting my cognitive function, concentration and coordination.
I felt more mentally sharp and ready to take on the day.
Verdict
Backwards walking for 15 minutes every day was a fantastic test and new focus for me.
After years of marathon andhalf-marathon training, I appreciated the break for my knees and hip flexors.
Plus, it was refreshing to focus on something positive for mental clarity and concentration.
I love incorporating tweaks to my training.
