Sometimes people will hear you and be able to change their behaviour, but often their behaviour has to do more with their own need for approval than your need for support. No matter what their response, you need to be firm and hold your ground. At the end of the day, your he,lath is your responsibilty - Jillian Michaels, Winning by losing: Drop the weight, change your life.

Tired of following the same workout routine can be extremely boring, right? Well, why don't we try improvising into something fun? Something which not only helps you with physical fitness but takes care of your mental fitness also.

Let us talk about backward walking which is also known as reverse walking and its various health benefits.

WHY WALK BACKWARDS?

At first, it may look silly to walk backward but if you take a closer look at it, it has tons of advantages. Walking backward not only enhances your overall fitness but helps you to realize the benefits it has on your lower extremities, brain functioning, posture, and other bodily functions. Let us talk about the benefits in the following headings.

Mental Benefits

• Sharpens the mind
• Increase concentration
• Improve balance
• Improve coordination
• Enhances body consciousness
• Gives mental clarity
• Improves overall mood
• Enhances REM sleep
• Intensifies thinking skill
• Boosts memory
• Helps in cognitive functioning
• Improves vision

Physical Benefits 

• Helps in relieving pain from the lower back
• Decrease the sheer force on knees
• Eases knee pain
• Strengthen leg muscles
• Enhances the lesser-used leg muscles
• Boosts metabolism
• Strengthen heart muscles
• Improves lung capacity
• Improves posture
• Enhances aerobic capacity 

WHO CAN GET BENEFIT FROM WALKING BACKWARD?

Walking backward gives benefit to whoever practices it as it helps in changing the mood and gives your workout a new fun and exciting regime to look forward to. Not only did it helps in improving mood but it also makes you more aware of your surroundings. As a physiotherapist myself I prescribe my patients to follow the procedure properly and include backward walking in their exercise regime. The following patients can be benefitted more by including it into their regime. 

• Someone going post-surgery knee rehabilitation
• Someone suffering from a muscle strain in hips, groin region, lower back, and hamstrings
• Someone who is suffering from a sprained ankle, Achilles tendon tears, or shin splints. 
• Someone undergoing cross-training options
• Someone who is involved in sports activities and have to run backward      

HOW TO BEGIN 

Try to walk backward on a flat area, clear of traffic for 20- 30 yards in the beginning. After when you're able to walk properly try to walk uphill or try to run. By including it into your workout regime not only will it be fun but it also makes it exciting.

Let us try that and make the workout more fun!