Should You Have a Walking Rhythm When You Hike?

Walking Rhythm

Have you ever gone on a hiking trip as a beginner, and even though you enjoyed it, noticed that some other hikers seemed to pass you at unreasonably fast paces? Did you wonder how they were able to achieve that pace without seeming to lose a step or even really exert themselves? The secret to achieving this kind of effort when you go hiking is in your walking rhythm, and you can learn to do it too.

What is a walking rhythm?

Quite simply, it is the effort you make to hold your pace steady, no matter what kind of terrain you’re on. Even if you have to adjust your pace to go faster or slower over different types of Earth, you’ll still have a basic idea of the pace and tempo that you should be traveling at.

The hiking rhythm is about noticing this tempo and making your body use its full range of movement to achieve it. Your arms should coincide with the movements of your legs, and your legs should moving to a steady “1,2″ beat. It’s not hard to find this beat when you’re already out there walking, so feel free to give it a try on your next trip.

Maintaining a hiking rhythm that challenges you sufficiently enough to stimulate your muscles and get your heart rate going will be the key. You don’t want to overexert yourself with an unrealistic rhythm, but you don’t want to feel unchallenged either. The best way to find a good walking rhythm is to find one that feels difficult but sustainable at the same time. If you’re not ready for a challenge, stay with a steady, moderate pace that won’t exert you too much.

A walking/hiking rhythm is easy to begin, but it can be difficult to maintain. It becomes mostly a mental battle – it’s all too easy to let your mind wander to other things when you’re trying to focus on something as simple as your walking rhythm. That’s why some people use mantras to keep them going. Your mantra can be simple and easy to remember, such as repeating “left, right,” or you can remember the beat to a song you enjoy and try playing it out in your head.

What will embracing a walking rhythm do for you? First, you’ll have a greater degree of control over your total exertion throughout a hike. Second, you’ll be able to incrementally increase your pace once you have control over it, allowing you to get to the level of the “fast” hikers mentioned at the beginning of this article. Third, it will help promote mental discipline and create clarity of mind when the rest of your world is busy, busy, busy.

Photo Credits: JonF119

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