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What is the Best Walking Posture?

B. Miller
B. Miller

The best walking posture is one in which the body is kept in a balanced, relatively straight position, where the spine is not curved too far forwards or backward. It is important to monitor the entire body while walking. Make sure that the chin is up, the shoulders are relaxed, the spine is straight, and the feet are striking the ground first with the heel, and then rolling towards the toe. Maintaining a proper neutral walking posture will help to prevent injury and ensure that one gets as many physical fitness benefits as possible from the exercise.

People often think that in order to have perfect walking posture, the spine should be ramrod straight. This is not true; in fact, a more neutral posture that allows slight curves in the spine is actually better for the body. Ideally, the ears, shoulders, and hips should remain in a relatively straight line when walking, but there can be a slight inward curve in the lower back. It is important not to bend backward or forwards, however, when trying to maintain proper posture; there is no need to force the spine into perfectly straight alignment. Slightly tightening the abdominal muscles and tucking the tailbone under will help to engage the abdominals when walking and improve posture in everyday life, not just when exercising.

A straight spine is not necessary to have good walking posture.
A straight spine is not necessary to have good walking posture.

In ideal walking posture, one should not be looking down at the ground, which can stretch the back of the neck and lead to pain. Instead, keep the chest lifted, chin up, and eyes forward. Regularly shrug the shoulders to be sure that there is no tightness there. Many people find that bending the arms at the elbows, and swinging them with each stride, helps to exercise the arms as well as helping them maintain proper posture. It is not recommended that one carry hand weights, which can stretch the tendons in the arms.

Stride is important in maintaining good walking posture.
Stride is important in maintaining good walking posture.

Finally, the stride is important in maintaining good walking posture as well. The stride length should be natural; it is better to take shorter, quicker strides than to try to take large strides and potentially pull a muscle and put the spine at an unnatural angle. The heel should strike the ground, then roll to the toe for each step. It is important to wear good, supportive walking shoes to maintain good walking posture and to prevent the feet from rolling to one side or the other.

Discussion Comments

indigomoth

I actually think the best thing most people can do to correct their walking posture is to get the right shoes for the way they walk. I tend to over-pronate, which is not, apparently, something that you can fix in the same way as fixing bad posture. All you can do is make sure that your shoes are going to support it and take the pressure off your muscles and knees.

pleonasm
@bythewell - It might be worth going to see a physiotherapist or maybe a personal trainer who can help you with your posture if you are worried about it.

The Alexander technique is also very good. I had a friend who used to hunch his back quite a lot and he went to a few lessons that helped him a lot. He was given some exercises to do at home as well as tips on how to keep his posture straight and relaxed. I've even heard that people who are particularly good at the Alexander technique are less likely to get injured in accidents because they know how to hold their bodies in such a way that prevents injury.

I keep meaning to go to some lessons myself, but I have never gotten around to it.

bythewell

For me the problem is that I've been walking in the wrong way for so long, that it doesn't feel natural to walk in the right way. I tend to hunch my back and round my shoulders, which is apparently quite bad for you in the long run, so I've been trying to stop it. But I always end up with a sore back when I hold other positions for posture correction.

I know it's just that my muscles aren't used to working in that way and they will eventually get used to it, but it makes me want to give up before I get to see any benefits from it.

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    • A straight spine is not necessary to have good walking posture.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      A straight spine is not necessary to have good walking posture.
    • Stride is important in maintaining good walking posture.
      By: Serg Zastavkin
      Stride is important in maintaining good walking posture.
    • Looking down while walking can lead to neck pain.
      By: razihusin
      Looking down while walking can lead to neck pain.
    • A neutral posture that allows slight curves in the spine is better for the body than a ramrod straight spine.
      By: freshidea
      A neutral posture that allows slight curves in the spine is better for the body than a ramrod straight spine.
    • Maintaining a proper walking posture can help ward off injury and provide the full benefits of the exercise.
      By: michaeljung
      Maintaining a proper walking posture can help ward off injury and provide the full benefits of the exercise.
    • It is important not to bend backward or forwards when trying to maintain proper posture.
      By: milan2099
      It is important not to bend backward or forwards when trying to maintain proper posture.