While Michael Jackson once made the moonwalk a fashionable type of dance – walking backward has never been considered to be a legitimate form of exercise. After all, why do things backward when you can do it in a forward motion?
But like many aspects of life, things change, and trends come and go. A recent trend is seeing fitness fanatics adopt a new form of walking as a radical form of cardio that seems to provide many benefits. Let’s break it down – step by step (pun intended).
What’s Backward Walking?
Over the last couple of years, TikTok has helped make the “hot girl walk” a fashionable form of exercise. And now, if you stumble into your nearest gym, you might see people trying out a new kind of walk on the treadmill.
Many social media users are sharing their experiences of “backward walking.” It’s exactly what you’d expect it to be – with one catch, they’re doing it on treadmills. How can this even be possible without landing flat on your face?
Millions of people are being wowed by these impressive videos. And while you’d expect fitness experts to be skeptical about what seems to be a fad – many seem to be embracing it.
What Are the Benefits?
“By walking backward you strengthen all the muscles you don’t use in your knees daily, Occupational therapist @Kali.Ot said. “This increases the stability of your knee and prevents any type of injury.”
Some researchers have even suggested that backward walking, or “retro walking,” as it’s also known, could benefit those who suffer from osteoarthritis, specifically in their knees.
According to Michael Hamlin (a personal trainer), backward walking has numerous benefits, such as improving spatial awareness, coordination, and balance, and is even great for working your quadriceps.
What’s more, backward walking could be great for the mind too. Hamlin stated that the added concentration needed for this exercise could be mentally stimulating.