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Stretching before walking?

xLyric
xLyric Posts: 840 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I realize this is probably a dumb question, but I thought I'd ask just in case. Do you need to stretch your feet/legs/anything before a med-brisk walk? I got in an easy 10,000 step day normally at school, but now that it's out I have to make a point to take a walk to get anything over 3,000. I mention this because at school on those high-step days I felt fine, but taking a walk today maybe 5,000 steps in my ankle started hurting a bit. Not anything bad, just enough to make me want to ask this question. That's at 5,000 total for the day, I hadn't taken that many steps on that walk.

Replies

  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    Nope, not before regular walking. What shoes were you wearing? Either when walking or during the day?
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    I do not stretch before my morning walk... I actually use this as a warm up before exercise..

    If you have not been wearing your shoes on long walks before now, I def say it is the shoes.
  • xLyric
    xLyric Posts: 840 Member
    Well then it's a good thing I have decent shoes on their way in the mail. Thanks!
  • MoiAussi93
    MoiAussi93 Posts: 1,948 Member
    I don't stretch before a walk.
  • DeeTee68
    DeeTee68 Posts: 198 Member
    As op I walk to stretch before running. more likely your shoes giving you ankle problem or just weak ankles which will get stronger with more walking.
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    Sometimes I’ll do self-myofascial release and light stretching of my calves and anterior tibialis. They have a tendency to get overactive and slow my walk. But other than that, if you’re easing into your walk speed, you shouldn’t have to stretch beforehand. A good stretch afterward would be great!
  • Kristinemomof3
    Kristinemomof3 Posts: 636 Member
    I stretch after
  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    I always stretch post walk/run. Usually not before, though.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    You do not want to stretch cold muscles, so walking would actually be a way to warm them up BEFORE stretching. However, you may want to start off slow at first as a warm up before increasing your pace. I also agree that good shoes are a must.
This discussion has been closed.

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