Want to know the number 1 piece of advice i give to all walkers, hikers and runners?

Look up 👀. Where you look your head will follow. When the eye line is lifted to the horizon, the head comes up.

When you’re looking down, the weight of the head is very heavy. This pulls the centre of gravity forwards of the body.

The knock on effect through the body is profound and very influential on the stresses, strains and potential injury risk of running.

Running is not bad for you and it’s categorically not bad for your knees, but how you run will determine the potential for injury.

Running and walking with the head down or forwards of the body shifts the centre of gravity forwards.

To stop yourself from face planting you have to shoot your foot out in front of you, creating a heavy heel strike, braking effect and increase in impact.

It’s this increase in impact that causes the knee injuries, pelvic floor leakage, low back pain and neck strain.

It also slows you down.

When the eye line comes up and the head comes back, the foot will naturally land under the pelvis giving your whole body an easier ride.

You can also engage your posterior chain of muscles more efficiently giving you better power and endurance.

If you’re constantly looking at the ground because you’re worried you might trip on something, briefly look down, but remember to then look back up again! You can recall the terrain you’ve just checked for the distance of at least 10 steps.

Where’s your head at?

Give this a go and feel the shift to more effortless walking and running 👌

Emma Wightman
www.the-sop.com