STRETCH TO IMPROVE YOUR STRIDE

‘Walking is an incredibly positive, inclusive exercise, but there are things you can do when you’re not walking to get even more out of it,’ says walking expert Caroline Sandry.

FORWARD BEND

● Stand tall with your feet close together

● Inhale and stretch both arms overhead ● Exhale and fold forward ● Bend your knees to accommodate hamstring length, and place your hands on the floor beside your feet

● Hold, and take deep slow breaths, breathing into the whole of your back

● Release your arms and curl back up to stand upright. Repeat, trying to gently straighten your legs in the bend position. Do it three to four times.

RUNNER’S LUNGE

● Stand with your feet hip-width apart

● Take a big step back keeping feet hip-width apart and parallel

● Bend your front knee and gently sink into the stretch, pressing your back heel towards the floor (keep your hips square to the front)

● Stretch your arms overhead and gently sink forward

● Look up and breathe deeply in and out

● Do this three to four times each side.