Zig Zag Walking Method - Easy method to walk uphill or for everyday walking - 4.12.2013

Leonardo da Vinci - Orthogonal views of the skeleton (1510-11) 

Note:
See a chiropractor if you are experiencing pain when walking.  Check your shoulder, hips and ankles.  Reference Muscle Medicine by Rob Destefano.



As you can see from da Vinci's sketch of the skeleton, both knee's are bent slightly inward.  When walking up a small hill (or a city street), try bending your knee's inward as you walk.  It should feel almost like ice skating.

The Hill Test

While on a steep, decent size uphill do a before and after test.

- Its important you go super slow at first and be relax.

- Walk like you would normally up the hill.  Notice how much effort it takes.

- Now take a break.

- Next try to walk up the hill while slowly bending your knees (one by one) inward.  Zig with your left knee inward and Zag with your right knee inward.  The movement should be smooth and relax.  Take a look at da Vinci's picture to get an idea of what I'm talking about.

- Think about how a rider would bike up hill.  The general advice would be to zig zag up the hill instead of plowing straight up.  The same theory goes for walking up a steep hill.

The whole movement should feel like ice skating (with no effort) going up the hill.  Keep a mental picture of Da Vinci's skeleton sketch of how your knee's are suppose to bend (inward).

I've always had running and walking problems from improper posture and walking technique.  I would plow towards my destination with lock knees and using my feet instead of my knees to propel me  forward.  I started zig zagging by accident this morning while walking around the city, but didn't notice a difference until going up a hill.

Give it a try on a hill to feel the difference then in your every day walking.