Day 18 How to Walk Faster ...Using Arm Power

 

Look at those arms in action!

Day 18  Walking technique to move you faster ... I was doing some personal training last week and reviewing the importance of posture and core strength in power walking. The next piece of advice for aspiring power walkers is about how to use the arms to your best advantage.

Looking through past blogs and I decided to give a little more information regarding the use of your arms as a technique toward faster and stronger walking style ... here goes. 

Using Arm Power!

Now you are ready to get those arms up and helping you to power along.  
For some unknown reason it seems that people have a difficult time lifting up there arms in support of and strengthening their forward movement.  Let's just say that "it looks a little goofy" to see a walker powering along with their arms pumping. The bottom line here is that you will have to get over feeling 'goofy' if you want to add upper body strength and momentum to your walk... and walk faster as a result!

Lifting your arms to a 90 degree angle and moving your hands from your hip to the center chest height will engage muscles in the back of the arms (triceps) and it also activates the back muscles (lats) that will fire in support of your upper body.
The strength with which you pull your arm back using those triceps has a direct connection to momentum forward. The faster you move those arms the faster you feet will follow.

For the next few weeks try getting those arms up and in action. Keep your elbows in close to your body.  What does it feel like? Probably a bit weird ... you're are right on track!  Remember it will take weeks of consistent practice to begin to feel natural walking along with your arms up and in place.
You are going to get more bang for your walk30 effort by using those extra muscles every time you head out the door!

More to come ... in the meantime ...Walk on Strong with your head high and your arms in place.
Sue