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You’re learning the basics of walking technique—proper heel-toe motion, stride,
hip action, arm bend and swing. But something's not quite right. Maybe a nagging ache, a
choppiness to your stride, or just a feeling that you’re not as smooth and efficient
as those graceful, ground-skimming veteran walkers you see on the paths. Don’t worry:
The fix is probably simple. Everybody moves differently, but there are three common
mistakes found among walkers of all levels, from strollers to racers. Guard against them,
because they will inhibit your style or cause injuries.
Waist Lean
If you have an ache in your lower back after a walk, you may be tilting forward and
letting your buttocks stick out. Stand with your back against a wall. Now lean forward
slightly from your ankles. That’s the proper forward lean. Now lean forward, leaving
your buttocks against the wall. This is not the position you want to feel while
walking.
Overstriding
Do your hair, hat or a scarf flop up and down when you walk? To eliminate bounce and skim
the ground, try slightly shortening your stride. Every time your heel hits the ground in a
stride that’s too long, you’re braking the forward motion. Experiment with
different lengths. Try a really long stride, then a teeny one, then somewhere in between.
Find the equilibrium where you don’t bounce.
Elbow Whipping
The arm swing comes from the shoulder, not the elbow. You should imagine hitting something
in front of you with your hands. Try this experiment: Put a long piece of string around
your neck and hold an end in each hand, making sure your elbows are bent 90 degrees. Now
walk. If you feel the string sliding back and forth behind your neck, that means
you’re swinging from the elbows, pulling the string down to the right, then down to
the left. Eliminating string burn will eliminate elbow whipping.
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