Four Tips for Faster Walking Technique

1. Stand tall. Pull the top of your head toward the sky. No slouch in your shoulders, forward lean from the waist, or excess sway in your back. Keep your eyes on the horizon, don’t let your chin drop.

2. Focus on quicker, not longer steps. Yes, your stride gets longer as you walk faster. But that shouldn’t be your goal; let it happen naturally. Instead concentrate on taking faster steps. Count how many steps you take in 20 seconds: 40 for a health pace; 45 for weight loss; 50 to build aerobic fitness.

3. Bend your arms. Hold your elbows at a right angle so your arms can swing more quickly; target a quick, compact arm swing. Your hands should trace an arc from alongside your waistband on the back swing, to chest height (but no higher) in the front.