people walking backward on treadmill

Incorporates differnt muscles

I saw someone doing it a week or so ago and have been doing it ever since. I started off with a low incline and a slower speed and have been building up. Now I can jog backwards (for a limited time) even on an incline which is amazing since I still can't jog forwards because I'm recovering from a sprained ankle. I always keep my arms on the supports next to me in case I lose my balance and I limit the amount of time I go backwards.
I definitely feel muscles being activated that are not in any other cardio or strength activity at my gym. I feel a bit sore afterward but I think it's for the best.
I'd recommend it!

I had ACL replacement, I waited 3 years after a skiing accident to get it fixed. They took the middle of my patella ligament to fix it. Walking backwards was a real big thing for therapy. II still do it while walking on known surfaces or up hills. So this and also pedaling backwards on a bike was common. I think it was to help with extension stretching. Odd but I got back and retained almost 100% flexibility.

I'd only think it were safe if someone had a spotter or something. Otherwise I think it would be very risky, but to each their own.

I walk backwards with incline...It works different muscles

I did it as part of rehabbing a really nasty leg injury. It does exercise muscles that are difficult to activate in other cardio workouts. The key to doing safely is to start out very slow and work your way up. Ask the trainers which treadmills can have the speed lowered to 1/2 mile per hour. Start there and keep bumping the speed up a bit until you are walking as quickly as is comfortable for you.

Is this a new type of fad? I have seen this n the gym a couple of times. It seems the benefit would not outweigh the risk to me anyway. It seems dangerous.. Does it really do anymore than walking regular on a treadmill?

I do this all the time as part of my warmup except I run instead of walk. I sidestep on the treadmill as well. As others have pointed out different muscles are engaged by running backwards. Its only dangerous if you go too fast for your level of coordination/fitness to handle. I have never once felt like I was in any danger of falling. That being said, I prefer to run backwards outside. On Thursday I will run 5k backwards while barefoot on a 400m track. I may run a 5k race backwards at some point.

double post

I go backwards on the cross trainer - it's supposed to be good for your glutes. I reckon there is less chance of me dropping off that than a treadmill.

me and you both.

If i've been over doing it a bit , I walk backwards to un-burn some of my forward walking calories :P