I did the 100 meter speed tests this morning and was really aware of how much I'm relying on my front foot to generate power! Tomorrow I will do the 5k, but I'll put some music on to try and get my strides shorter. My hoka speedgoats just arrived too 🙌
i am keep coming back to your videos, unlike with running its surprisingly hard to find content about the proper walking technique.it should be way more popular. walking became my passion over last 18 months and helped me to lose over 100 pounds. without your tutorials i think i would kinda platoed with my fitness progress. i wonder, what is your top speed on a flat ground without changing technique to something more exagerated? 135 bpm should give you something around 4 mph, right?
So great to hear that you’re having success with Sport Walking! So, I’m not sure exactly what my top speed is in mph but normally I walk at over 7kmh. I think once, when I did a speed test, I got up to 9kmh using a normal walking technique 🙂
Thanks, glad you like them! I think the key issue with a barefoot approach is the heel landing you need for walking, compared to running, when a fore or mid foot land is feasible. I know people who’ve tried both barefoot & very low drop shoes for Sport Walking & had Achilles issues. The other thing is terrain & when you get out on the trails & rough surfaces, I think that could be problematic, especially over longer distances. Personally, I don’t have a problem with people using minimalist footwear, it’s more about the benefits vs the downsides. I think if you’re already established with a barefoot approach & have successfully used minimalist shoes for some time, then I think it’s potentially viable to at least try using that approach for Sport Walking but if you’re just looking at options without already having successfully used a barefoot approach, then I’d probably advise against it. I just don’t think the potential benefits are significant enough to be worth the time you’d need to give to make the transition. Don’t know if that’s helpful 😆! Be interested to hear how you get on if you try it. Cheers. Roger
Hi, Do you think adding the race walking hand movement to sport walking without any other change in walking technique will make sport walking more effective in terms of speed and fitness?
Hi! Everything has a purpose & in Race Walking, the arm swing is necessary to achieve the speeds you can achieve with Race Walking but below that speed all the power you need, all the speed, can come from your legs. If you think of it like two phases of speed - in phase one, walking normally, everything you need can be found in your legs & any extra movement, in this case swinging the arms, is effectively wasted effort. If your leg movement is effective, you can achieve all the speed you need with your hands in your pockets. When you reach maximum speed in phase one, that’s when the arms come into play & are essential to build further momentum to reach the speed that’s possible with Race Walking. Hope that all makes sense? If you haven’t seen it already, check out our video on why Race Walkers walk as they do, it’ll help explain it. All the best!
Thanks for the inspiring video! This is a fantastic series! Your website also has a lot of information! As an ultrarunner, it has taught me a lot about efficient walking and in addition to my running, I now also do ultra walking tours. Very nice to have your input in the process of continuously improving form and efficiency. Keep up the good work #walkfaster
Speaking of cadence you don’t just have to listen to dance music. Army rangers and marines all use cadence for very fast marching and it’s motivational.
I tried it on a treadmill with music...huge improvement. Tomorrow on the road with 135 BPM tracks. Great instructions...much appreciated by this 90 year old!
I did the 100 meter speed tests this morning and was really aware of how much I'm relying on my front foot to generate power! Tomorrow I will do the 5k, but I'll put some music on to try and get my strides shorter. My hoka speedgoats just arrived too 🙌
i am keep coming back to your videos, unlike with running its surprisingly hard to find content about the proper walking technique.it should be way more popular. walking became my passion over last 18 months and helped me to lose over 100 pounds. without your tutorials i think i would kinda platoed with my fitness progress. i wonder, what is your top speed on a flat ground without changing technique to something more exagerated? 135 bpm should give you something around 4 mph, right?
So great to hear that you’re having success with Sport Walking! So, I’m not sure exactly what my top speed is in mph but normally I walk at over 7kmh. I think once, when I did a speed test, I got up to 9kmh using a normal walking technique 🙂
Hi Roger - great videos - just wondered what you take is on using barefoot or minimalist shoes for sport walking? Thanks! :)
Thanks, glad you like them! I think the key issue with a barefoot approach is the heel landing you need for walking, compared to running, when a fore or mid foot land is feasible. I know people who’ve tried both barefoot & very low drop shoes for Sport Walking & had Achilles issues. The other thing is terrain & when you get out on the trails & rough surfaces, I think that could be problematic, especially over longer distances. Personally, I don’t have a problem with people using minimalist footwear, it’s more about the benefits vs the downsides. I think if you’re already established with a barefoot approach & have successfully used minimalist shoes for some time, then I think it’s potentially viable to at least try using that approach for Sport Walking but if you’re just looking at options without already having successfully used a barefoot approach, then I’d probably advise against it. I just don’t think the potential benefits are significant enough to be worth the time you’d need to give to make the transition. Don’t know if that’s helpful 😆! Be interested to hear how you get on if you try it. Cheers. Roger
Hi,
Do you think adding the race walking hand movement to sport walking without any other change in walking technique will make sport walking more effective in terms of speed and fitness?
Hi! Everything has a purpose & in Race Walking, the arm swing is necessary to achieve the speeds you can achieve with Race Walking but below that speed all the power you need, all the speed, can come from your legs. If you think of it like two phases of speed - in phase one, walking normally, everything you need can be found in your legs & any extra movement, in this case swinging the arms, is effectively wasted effort. If your leg movement is effective, you can achieve all the speed you need with your hands in your pockets. When you reach maximum speed in phase one, that’s when the arms come into play & are essential to build further momentum to reach the speed that’s possible with Race Walking. Hope that all makes sense? If you haven’t seen it already, check out our video on why Race Walkers walk as they do, it’ll help explain it. All the best!
Thanks for the inspiring video! This is a fantastic series! Your website also has a lot of information! As an ultrarunner, it has taught me a lot about efficient walking and in addition to my running, I now also do ultra walking tours. Very nice to have your input in the process of continuously improving form and efficiency. Keep up the good work #walkfaster
Thanks Ruben, glad you’re finding it useful. All the best. Roger
Speaking of cadence you don’t just have to listen to dance music. Army rangers and marines all use cadence for very fast marching and it’s motivational.
Exactly! As long as the tempo fits it’s good 👍
This was a game changer for me!
A great refresher on the fundamental techniques! This method really does make a huge difference. It feels natural and it is strain-free. Thanks again!
Yes great! Moving faster is key to motivation and flow.
Can't wait to try it out tomorrow morning...Thanks!
I tried it on a treadmill with music...huge improvement. Tomorrow on the road with 135 BPM tracks. Great instructions...much appreciated by this 90 year old!
135, great tempo! Hope it works well on the road too! 💪