by Answer is Fitness on March 14, 2010
Walking speed is a function of stride length and how fast you move your legs. There is a limit to how much you can lengthen your stride, so when fitness walking or walking for exercise, concentrate on increasing how fast you move your legs. Try artificially increasing your stride, and you end up over-striding, which can actually slow you down as your heel comes down too far in front. This can cause a breaking feeling or action. So move your legs faster but keep your stride in the normal zone for you.
Unfit people may be able to get their heart rate into a training zone by walking faster than usual, but as you get more fit you may have trouble walking fast enough to really push yourself. If you reach this point make sure your course has hills in it. Having to go uphill when walking for exercise increases the challenge and keeps you on path to higher fitness.
