By Introduction
Strolling is a great way to exercise! It’s beneficial for your overall health and wellbeing. Plus, it strengthens your spinal muscles, and prevents or treats back pain.
This article will show you the best walking routines for a healthy back:
Benefits of walking
Walking has many benefits for your health! It can reduce stress, help your heart, build muscle strength and keep weight under control. It’s good for joints, energy and posture too. You can adapt it to your age and fitness level.
Plus, it’s free! You don’t need any expensive equipment. Social interaction is also easy – you could walk with friends or just greet a neighbor. You can explore on foot – there are unique sights you won’t see in other ways.
It’s easy to get started – just head out your door and go! Step into better mental and physical well-being.
How to get started
Before starting any vigorous exercise, it is important to warm up your body for healthy spine functioning. Do this by doing arm circles, lateral stretches, and a few minutes of light walking. Then move onto back exercises.
Consult your doctor before beginning any new routine. Ask them to recommend walking exercises suitable for your physical condition and goals. When creating a program, begin with:
- shorter distances
- low intensity exercises
Gradually increase intensity as desired.
Walking Posture
Good posture is key for back health. It’s essential to understand the right way to walk. Doing it right can bring lots of health benefits like stronger bones and better circulation. Here, we’ll concentrate on the posture needed for great walking workouts.
Proper posture
For proper walking posture, stand with back against a wall. Make sure your head, shoulders, buttocks and heels all touch with no gaps. Engage abdominals by pulling navel towards spine. Keep shoulders relaxed and down. Ensure hips are level and balanced. Arms should move in opposition to legs, elbows near body’s midline.
Look at horizon level, not feet or too far ahead. Walk in cadence, rolling through heel as it strikes ground. Don’t let feet cross each other. Adjust speed as needed. Slower promotes better range of motion in joints but also uses more energy for fitness benefits:
- Pull navel towards spine.
- Keep shoulders relaxed and down.
- Ensure hips are level and balanced.
- Arms should move in opposition to legs, elbows near body’s midline.
- Look at horizon level, not feet or too far ahead.
- Walk in cadence, rolling through heel as it strikes ground.
- Don’t let feet cross each other.
- Adjust speed as needed.
Common mistakes to avoid
When walking for back health and core strength, it’s vital to have good posture. This can reduce strain on the spine, neck, and shoulders. Poor posture has the opposite effect, causing pain and tiredness. Here are some mistakes to avoid:
- Slumping or slouching – This causes an incorrect curve of the spine, which leads to discomfort or injury. Lift your chest while walking to stay upright.
- Straining Neck – Don’t look down. Focus on a few metres in front of you. Keep your chin level with the ground.
- Knee Flexion – Make sure your toes point forward with each stride, and feet are slightly flexed inward. This helps activate glutes, balance, and momentum. Knees shouldn’t be bent too much.
- Arm Swinging – This releases tension in the shoulder joints and helps propel the body forward. Arms should stay close and not swing from side to side. This can throw off balance and make you tired quickly.
Warm-up Exercises
Start your workout with a warm-up! Walking is perfect for this. Here’s how to do it right.
- Know the best exercises.
- Make sure you don’t make any mistakes.
That’s it – let’s get going!
Stretching exercises
Stretching exercises are crucial for a regular warm-up routine. They improve muscle coordination, circulation, reduce tension and stress and give a sense of well-being. It is best to stretch intermittently throughout the day, 10-60 seconds per stretch. Use a foam rolled surface or exercise ball/fitness band while stretching.
Here are some examples:
- Neck Roll: Gently roll head from side to side five times each direction. Hold for two-three seconds and move slowly.
- Shoulder Rolls: Rotate and lift them backwards ten times. Maintain even pace and steady breath.
- Arm Crosses: Raise arms above head, cross one over the other, then lower 5 times each side. Keep breathing even.
- Hip Flexors: Perform ten alternating bent leg raises on either leg, keeping thigh vertical. Don’t bounce – control the stretch to avoid injury.
Dynamic stretching
Dynamic stretching is a type of stretching that uses movement to increase range of motion. It’s a popular warm-up for sports, helping to prepare muscles for intense activities. Plus, it can reduce strain on muscles and joints, improve blood flow and decrease the risk of injuries.
Examples of dynamic back stretches:
- Arm Circles: Stand with arms in a “T” shape. Make 10 slow circles with each arm, both clockwise and counterclockwise. Stretch arms up over head at peak of circle.
- Cat/Camel Stretch: Bend forward and hold onto one leg, bending knee with other leg for balance (cat position). Roll back into arched position (camel position). Hold each pose for 10-15 seconds, repeat 8-10 times.
- Backswing Reach: Stand and swing one arm across chest, keeping shoulder down and chin tucked. Reach away from body, keeping hips level. Hold briefly, then return to start position. Repeat 8-10 times, then switch arms.
Walking Exercises
Walking is a super easy and useful way to up your back health! It’s a low-impact exercise that strengthens your muscles and balances posture. Plus, it can help reduce and prevent back and spine pain.
Let’s take a closer look at the perks of different walking exercises and how they can revitalize your back!
Basic walking exercises
Regular walking is great for physical health! No special equipment or gym membership is needed. Whether you’re starting out or want to improve, there are plenty of variations:
- Forward and backward steps, shuffling, side-stepping, and power-walking.
- Take bigger strides to activate your lower body muscles.
- Inclines increase intensity and challenge cardiovascular fitness.
- Speed intervals help with muscle endurance and burning calories.
- Keep safety in mind when reaching for extra bursts of energy.
Focus on stretching and strengthening the back. Exercises such as bridges, reverse flies, and quadruped extensions will tone your backside and relieve tension from tight muscles in the upper body. These exercises can also reduce symptoms from conditions like sciatica or pain from poor posture or sitting for long periods.
Advanced walking exercises
Advanced walking exercises can help with fitness and strengthening back muscles. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, trying to build body strength, or just prefer walking exercise, give some advanced exercises a go! Here are the most popular exercises and tips:
- Lunges: Begin by standing straight, feet together. Take a big step forward with one foot, bending both legs at the knee so the thigh is parallel with the floor. Push up from the leading leg and bring feet together. Do 30 or more reps if done regularly.
- Side Step Swings & Reach: Start by standing straight, feet wider than shoulder width apart. Swing arms out at sides while slowly hopping left and swinging arms back when you land (begins in hip flexion). Fully extend outside leg while reaching down towards floor. Repeat 10-15 times.
- Front Lunges/Willie Mays: Stand straight, feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Chest tall, hips squared forward. Step forward one foot length using only one leg. Lower yourself until the shin bone is nearly vertical (knee should direct over toes). Push up through heel of lead foot. Repeat 15-20 times, then switch legs.
- Backward Loping/Frankenstein Walks: Stand facing away from wall (further than arms length). Hands out in front at sides, stretch backwards like Frankenstein’s monster. Take large steps backward, making sure each foot lands simultaneously in place. Alternate 10 sets of 10 paces 6 days a week.
Cool Down Exercises
It’s crucial to do cool down exercises after a rigorous walk. These exercises can reduce the risk of soreness or harm, plus boost your balance, coordination, and flexibility. They may even help you develop healthy muscles.
Here, we’ll discuss the perks of cool down exercises and suggest some great ones:
Stretching exercises
Stretching is essential when cooling down and preventing injuries. If you feel pain or tightness, stretching can ease discomfort and improve flexibility. Do 5-10 minutes of stretching after a workout. Ask a certified fitness pro or physical therapist for advice on exercises.
Here are some stretches to do:
- Hamstring stretch: Lie on your back with one leg straight, the other bent. Put a towel around the arch of your straight leg and pull gently until you feel tension. Hold for 30 seconds, switch legs.
- Runner’s lunge: Step forward into a low lunge. Your back knee should touch the ground. Move as far as possible without pain. Release and switch sides for 30 seconds each.
- Cobra pose: Lie down on an exercise mat. Place arms bent at 90 degrees on either side. Ground palms alongside shoulders. Breathe into spine, extend backbone from core up towards sky. Hold then relax. Repeat 3 times, 3 sets total.
Foam rolling
Foam rolling is a great way to relax your muscles and reduce post-exercise pain. It uses your own bodyweight and your hands, so it’s a type of self-myofascial release. Everyone should add it to their daily routine!
When foam rolling, move slowly over any sensitive areas for 30 seconds. The pressure should not hurt – just breathe deeply as you do it. This can help with flexibility, mobility and joint range of motion. All of these are necessary for good back health.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What benefits can I get from walking exercises for my back?
Walking exercises can help strengthen the muscles in your back, improve your posture, and reduce the risk of back pain or injuries. Walking also helps improve circulation, which can reduce inflammation and promote healing in your back muscles.
2. How often should I do walking exercises for my back?
It’s recommended to walk for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week, to gain the full benefits of walking exercises for your back. However, you can start with shorter walks and gradually increase the duration and frequency as you build your stamina.
3. What’s the best posture to maintain while walking for back health?
It’s important to stand up straight, keep your shoulders back and relaxed, and make sure your feet land flat on the ground while walking. Avoid leaning forward or backward, looking down, or locking your knees while walking to maintain proper posture and prevent strain on your back muscles.
4. Are there any specific walking exercises that can target certain back muscles?
Yes, there are different walking exercises you can do to target specific back muscles. For example, walking uphill can engage the muscles in your lower back and glutes, while walking on a flat surface can work your upper back and shoulder muscles. Walking backwards can also help improve your balance and work deeper muscles in your back.
5. Can walking exercises replace other forms of exercise for back health?
Walking exercises can be a great addition to your overall fitness plan, but it’s recommended to incorporate other forms of exercise such as strength training and stretching to improve your back health. Consult with a healthcare professional or fitness trainer to design a well-rounded exercise program that suits your needs and goals.
6. Are there any precautions I should take while doing walking exercises for my back?
If you have a history of back problems or injuries, or if you experience any pain or discomfort while walking, it’s important to consult with your doctor before starting any new exercise program. It’s also recommended to wear proper footwear, warm up before exercising, and start with shorter walks and gradual progressions to prevent overexertion or injuries.
