Walking Backwards

Walking is a popular and beneficial way to exercise but did you know that walking backwards has even more benefits? Of course if you walked backwards whilst completing a Treasure trail you might miss some of the clues, but on the other hand you would definitely see more than you were looking for!

Why would you want to walk backwards?

1. Walking backwards increases the heart rate when compared to walking forwards at the same speed.
2. More calories are burnt when walking backwards rather than forwards because we have to make a greater effort, and you may see your metabolism increase too!
3. Doing something different like this prevents boredom (not that doing a Treasure Trail is boring, but just walking could be!)
4. Because you don’t have eyes in the back of your head and need to be constantly looking out for obstacles and dangers, all five senses are heightened,
5. And our reflexes are sharpened too!
6. It promotes blood circulation and prevents lumbago,
7. And can even help prevent the development of a hunchback!
8. When you get older balance and coordination becomes even more important and walking backwards can improve the functions of our cerebellum. The cerebellum is an area of the brain that controls motor movement coordination, balance, and equilibrium and muscle tone.
9. The muscles of the front and back of the shin and ankle are strengthened because the movement is unfamiliar,
10. And the knee joint and the patella joint in particular benefit from backward walking with a reduction of repetitive strain injuries.
11. Walking backwards protects your brain against mechanical thinking - the rut that it gets into when repeating the same old patterns, like walking forwards!

Apparently, 100 steps backwards are equivalent to 1,000 steps forwards!

Who walks backwards?

Lots of groups walk backwards without even thinking about it. For example, golfers walk backwards as they eye up a putt; nurses and hospital porters walk backwards while wheeling a patient; equestrians walk backwards while tending to their horse; tennis players run backwards to get that lob; plumbers can’t turn around when they’ve crawled into a tight space so end up shuffling backwards! And in lots of sports - football, basketball, rugby, lacrosse, net ball - the players are moving backwards, usually without looking!

When you stop and think about it, we all use backward walking every day!

Our Challenge to You

Post a fun video on Facebook or Instagram of you walking backwards and holding a clearly visible Trail booklet and tag / mention us @treasuretrailsuk. We’ll share our favourites on our social feeds! CAUTION - pick a safe spot to do this away from roads, water and other obstacles!