I have realized recently that I can walk very quickly and in the past, running has been very harsh on my knees. I've been doing what I thought I was powerwalking but actually I was racewalking. This video is so perfectly done and has cleared things up for me. It felt very professional and I'm surprised your channel doesn't have more subscribers. Great job.
Thank you so much for your kind words, George! So happy you found it helpful, and that you're a full-fledged race walker :) Keep going! I have plenty more videos planned, just working on getting 'em done. Happy New Year!
I'm a competitive race walker and you really need the race walker to wear tights instead of a skirt. The skirt covers up the movement of the torquing of the hips which creates the extension of the forward leg.
I remember seeing a lady racewalking when we'd be riding the city bus home from school. She looked weird and the older boys would laugh, but I liked that she was all about fitness and enjoying herself.
Yep, the really good racewalkers have a form that looks funny...but they're often *faster* than runners. Love the fact she was out there, doing a sport she loved to help her stay fit. You know, I bet those older boys couldn't keep up even if they power walked ;)
I would have liked to see the same person demonstrating each style with a slo-motion breakdown of each technique. Then put up a split screen to compare each side by side. Using two different people to demonstrate each style makes it harder to grasp - especially due to the different postures of the demonstrators.
Hello i m confused I do fitness walking with high intensity 90 percent effort Pace around 9 to 11 kmph at max speed 12 kmph I do 5 km within 30 minutes with personal best ( 10 -11 km/h) pace Ideally my knee not bent like powerwalking not much fast and straight race walking biomechanics and don't jog My height is 6 feet age 20 years old My normal walk speed 6 to 7 kmph Please reply me
You're doing great -- keep it up! It's only if you were to *compete* in race walk (or power walk in the U.S.) you would be mindful of your form (straight forward leg). Thanks for the question!
@@SlowpokeDivasTV I am from India Even I do short and middle distance running (100 to 800 m) events But when I don't training of sprint races ,, usually I do fast walking for good running form and speed and stamina for shorts distances This fast walking helps me recover quickly from minor injury and warmup session and fitness session Thanks for your suggestion
I am training for the pack test for wildland firefighting. I have come to the conclusion that race walking will help me pass the pack test. Any advice will help.
Race walk training will certainly increase your aerobic capacity, but if you're looking to specially pass a "pack test" (assuming it's that equipment pack on your back), then I'd suggest training for that. Check with your instructor(s) or look for a wildfire training channel here on RU-vid for specific aerobic AND strength training tips or plans. GOOD LUCK with that test, and your desire to be a firefighter 💖 Thanks so for watching! 😃
@@SlowpokeDivasTV absolutely. I have been checking conduits trying to properly prepare for this. Yes, 45 pounds we have to carry. Been training functionally and been urban hiking. I truly appreciate the positive words and will use all knowledge to conquer this test.
Great job explaining the difference. Also great to see others Power Walking and or Race walking through a Triathlon. I love the Triathlon, but running is so hard on my body and lower back. But after seeing you in action I am going to Power Walk my way through a Triathlon next summer. Yeah very excited for that! Thanks again for providing me inspiration to compete in a Triathlon using a power walk technique.
I thought using the heel strike method of walking was worse on the body. So many different takes on what should be simple how to walk with the least amount of damage on your body. Sigh.
Yep, it can be confusing. The emphasis here are on the *sports* of race walking and power walking.. Takes plenty of practice to get a "rolling heel strike" meaning the heel contacts the ground and immediately rolls forward -- that rolling motion softens that heel strike. There's more "wiggle room" in power walking because that forward leg doesn't have to be straight. Walking for fitness you do what works for your body :) Thanks so much for sharing! I appreciate it :)😄
It's unfortunate those participants didn't understand the rules. Wearing that athletic tape or even a band-aid catches the eye of the judges. How long have you been a RW judge?
Thank You for sharing this video! I started out thinking that I had to run in order to lose weight but realized that my knees were suffering as a result. I also jump rope so running on top of it all would be more stress on my knees. I have since started to power walk and have continued to lost weight consistently. Now I am thinking about competing in Power Walking marathons!
AWESOME! So very happy to hear all this ❤️ The cool thing about power walking is you get the aerobic, cardio, and strength-building benefits as you would from running in a more joint-friendly way. Do let me know what marathon you decide to do. Love to follow your journey!!
My technique for racewalking is pretty good, but I can only go about 4.2 mph. At 72, I have slowed down some. Would my slower pace mean I am not a race walker now, even though my form is good? Can you be considered a race walker if your technique is spot on but lack the speed?
This is a great video, thanks for showing the difference. A couple of other videos describe how there's low impact on the joints and body in race walking. Is that true for power walking as well? Is one form easier on the joints than another? Thanks, Di (from Australia).
Yes! I think power walking is even "easier" because you don't have to keep that forward leg straight. Just keep upright so you don't look like you might be running, jogging, or "creeping" which I describe as being sneaky about running.
Good morning. What shoe is best for power/race walking? I am just starting my moving program and am currently wearing Altras (zero-lift heel) at the recommendation of a long-distance runner (he owns his own shoe store). He also recommends walking with more strike zone on the ball of the foot, but your video shows them definitely coming down on their heels. Thank-you.
Awesome! I surely like your bottom line! It is all about staying active. In a purely cosmetic assessment looking at the video the race walking look much better than the power walking. The women race walking look so light on here feet like a sandpiper bird. The man power walking seem so unnatural like a cross-country skier with no skis on. A cave man mighty powerfull but no sophistication whatsoever. he does not look straight bizarre way to walk. I think I would First try learning race walking and if I cannot get anywhere with that technic then I would power walk which seems to require much less physical skills to do yet probably as enjoyable to do with a good friend. Thank you for sharing. It would have been interesting to interchange the roles and have the man race walking and the women power walking to better appreciate the difference. The way it is presented power walking look like a technic to be adopted by old farts not willing to learn anything new. :-) :-) (oops I just showed my true colors, sorry about that.)
😁 Thanks, Marc! The gait and body movement of Olympic-calibur racewalkers are often compared to that of a duck 🦆 -- when I power walk, I feel like an old goat 🐐 tho I want to be as fast as a bunny 🐇. Form only matters in competition. Yep, the bottom line is to stay active, enjoy whatever it is, and be the unicorn 🦄 💟
A long time ago now, I went to school with a girl who was a race walker, and to my joy, found it extremely easy and comfortable to do. Now I've tried jogging (more like slogging - really hard work!) and it played havoc with my knees. So, forty years on (how did that happen!?), I'm going to try Race Walking for fitness, weight loss and enjoyment. Thanks for the explanation of the difference between that and Power Walking -- I'll stick to race walking and see how it goes 😊
I went for a walk in my neighborhood yesterday as I do and tried out these two ways of walking. I felt a bit silly but it was also a great workout. Will keep practicing. 😀
Awesome job getting out there for a walk! Both forms are fun to do. Keep me posted on which one you have the most fun or benefit from. Walk on, Sharon!
Thanks for the clarification. As an age group triathlete, I switched to aqua bike and relays because running became painful. I love walking and will try race walking or power walking for some future sprint triathlons.
Im considering trying race walking or power walking for my triathlons or 5k run events now as ive torn both cartlages in my knees had 3 ops on them and find running kind of hard now running 30 mins for 5k now is it possible to do 5k by race walking ?
Yes, you most definitely can race/power walk a triathlon (I always have!). If your 5K running time is 30 minutes, your power walk time will probably be slower...starting out. You will get faster as a power/race walker the more training you do. I know two walkers who are now much faster than they were as runners (because they needed more rest days for recovery). Keep track of your times as you train (including brick workouts). Good luck!
Thanks for sharing this. I never thought I'd get into RW/PW, but since I recently developed achilles tendonitis, I've opted for these alternatives which are easier on the tendons in back. Not sure I want to actually compete in these forms, but they're definitely great for recovery and cross training. And I know it looks odd but I can't help but smile, knowing that it's better for my body and I'm still getting a workout! Now if I can get my RW 1 mile pace down closer to the pace of my 1 mile jog!
So glad you're enjoying this walking thing (lol), and it's helping you. Competition is always an option (great tool to track progress). Once that tendinitis heals, you'll be as speedy as ever!
Unfortunately Maryanne has what racewalkers call creep. I am a masters level race walk judge and she has a slight bend in her knee and if she raced in a USATF event, she could be called on a bent knee. I know her personally and she is a very nice person, but is more interested in helping the powerwalk and bent knee instead of real race walking.
Thanks for the additional insight, Becky. The aging process certainly messes with our form. Over the years, I've seen several experienced race walkers over 50 years of age start participating in power walking due to increasing difficulty in keeping proper race walking form, and still feed their competitive spirit. Walk on! :)
REALLY? I thought her technique was FINE. Far better than I ever managed. What you share is a good reason WHY I no longer racewalk and am enthused that powerwalking is available.
Times for any distance is relative. Your running background will give you a head start, but you will also be using different muscles in either race walking or power walking. I suggest doing a 5K as a power walker and record your time. That will be your base line to improve each month :) FYI, the record 5K time for men, age 50-54, at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah is 22 minutes, 51.8 seconds. :)
Power walking is a lot of fun, Caryn! I think you'd really enjoy it. Though I haven't heard of XC power walking, I know many walkers love hitting the trails. Hmm, you may be onto a new sport :)
Sorry for super late reply (due serious family health issues)! I haven't had any feedback about audio problems, but at what points in the video did you have problems?
Takes time to get that RW technique down. You could try video taping yourself (have a friend do it for you) and then take a look. You can always sign up for a race walking competition (take a look at the USA Track & Field website) or check to see if your local high school or college has race walkers on their T&F team. Perhaps the coach would be open to helping you. No matter what, have fun!!
I have heard that if you do not bend your knee while walking then you have chances to get injury in long term, and I see that one of these forms have straight knee style, is it Okay? Please answer. Thank u!
Injuries can occur in both sports, and in fitness walking. That's why working with a knowledgeable coach or sport-oriented physical therapist will help you determine which form works best for you, and create a strength training plan designed to deal with weak or problematic areas. Hope that helps!
@@SlowpokeDivasTV thanks for your suggestions, but I think some forms are wrong irrespective of what type of walk or run you do, so you being a expert can tell me if landing foot straight on ground causes knee injury, like some doctors say that always keep a slight bend in knee while walking or doing brisk walking
@@Light_EnterTainmenT7 One could definitely get injured if the heel is striking the ground with too much force. Again, working to have a rolling landing reduces the impact. Coaches can help with that :)
Enjoyed this video and have subscribed to your channel. I used to racewalk a very long time ago, liking the fitness and camaraderie, but stopped because it was just too difficult to manage technique well enough to avoid DQs. (By the way, Marianne's technique is beautiful to watch, especially in slow-motion. So smooth and elegant) Have JUST discovered senior athletics and powerwalking TODAY and am enthused. Am 64, live in Los Angeles and am wondering where people are training? Even before Covid-19, schools were closing up outdoor tracks to public use. ANY suggestion would be appreciated.
Thanks so much, Tuff, for your kind words and subscribing! You're going to LOVE being a part of the masters and seniors athletics world where you will find plenty of camaraderie and friendly competition. Here in Las Vegas, we have same issues with lack to track facilities. Many of my fellow race and power walkers and I find routes on pavement or asphalt that are in low-traffic areas or parks. A friend of mine is uses a business park on weekends and another uses an outer corner of a major shopping mall. Look for and connect with nearby masters track clubs there in the L.A. area. Start with USATF SoCal (www.scausatf.org/). Several senior racewalkers in Utah are members of the SoCal Track Club (www.socaltrackclub.com/). Then follow the National Senior Games Assn (nsga.com/) -- you'll find links to the California Senior Games and more (including Nevada Senior Games that's still planning on holding its events incl. power walk (Oct. 10) this fall (where I'm also the NVSG triathlon coordinator :) Keep in touch! Love to follow your PW adventure :) Thanks again!
No problem, Mark! So glad you enjoyed the video, and certainly hope it helps you become the best walker you can be (fast, slow or somewhere in between!).
For a fresh "twist" on your walking for weight loss: intervals! I'll walk at a good pace, then speed up at a good effort for 30, 45, or 60 seconds. Good luck!
I have a question. Why does it look like he is squatting? Especially when they are walking next to each other? Is this a by-product of the power walking technique?
@Peg Stark As a competitive sport, an athlete *may* have a bent knee on the forward stride without risk of disqualification as in race walking. That's the major difference between the two sports. Yes, having proper form is important -- as we age, our bodies sometimes have other ideas ;) A few of the power walkers I know who compete at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah have very unique forms due to leg and hip mobility issues and their body's "structure." I wish I was as fast as they are! :)
I've seen similar articles, that (in my opinion) compared race walking the competitive sport vs. power walking for fitness. Either way, a walker who puts in the *effort* to go faster, longer, and stronger will definitely burn up those calories! Thanks for sharing!!
@@SlowpokeDivasTV thank you for an awesome educational video )) what's more interesting that race walking burns more calories than running when compared by the same distance..
Thank you so much for this clear, descriptive video. I competed in Race walking for several years...loved it. I took a break and tried Country dancing & then ballroom dancing. Enjoyed that, too. I had a bad fall, compound fracture of my lower left leg, developed an infection and had to have an amputation of my left leg below the knee. My prosthesis covers my knee. Race walk judges can not see my knee so they would not be able to tell if it is bent. After watching this video, maybe I'll take up Power Walking. Thank you.
You're so welcome, and thank you so much for your kind words! Very happy that you could continue race walking :) I enjoy power walking 'cuz less stress physically (don't have to focus so much on form) and mentally (not worrying about *keeping* that form), both especially important for maturing competitors. RW, of course, is still offered by many local and regional USA Track & Field competitions, and power walk only in senior games (so far, anyway). Please keep me posted on your venture into power walking, and what your thoughts are. Thanks again -- glad to be of help :)
I saw both walkers start to walk with their left foot. I usually start to walk with my right foot because I’m right handed. Is that a problem? Or are they left handed?
Keen eye, Denni, but it's simply coincidence (and where I edited the clips to start from). Doesn't matter which foot you kick off from...just as long as you start! Thanks so much for your question :)
It's a "natural form" for him. Yes, as one ages, postures can change, and often need work to improve efficiency and prevent injury. BTW, Doug is also an ultra runner!
Race walking is *still* an Olympic sport, and team selection is through qualifying events. So get training to qualify for the 2024 Olympics 20KM women's race (www.olympic.org/athletics). :) International Olympic-level female race walkers did petition the IOC to add the 50KM distance (a men's only race), but were denied (IOC still hold some outdated thinking on women's athletic abilities). That distance is offered through USA Track & Field (www.usatf.org/disciplines/race-walking) Thanks so much for stopping by!
I haven't found a decent pedometer either (the type that slips onto a belt or atop shorts). You could try the free MapMyRun or MapMyWalk apps for smart phones, or the wrist-based Fitbits, Garmins, etc. I've found my older Garmin and the MapMyWalk are very, very close to each other when counting steps and distance. Good luck!
Hi Michelle, elite race walkers are usually faster than race-walker-now-power-walkers because of the differences in technique (and often faster than some runners!). For the rest of us, it's simply who gets to the finish line first :)
So with the ability to bend your knee with power walking at the beginning of the stride does this lessen the impact therefore making it easier on the joints? Looking for the healthiest distance cardio i can do for the long term with great fat loss potential. Thanks
Great question, Timothy! I've found the heel strike isn't as pronounced with a power walking stride. For me, it feels like my legs are absorbing more of the landing because of more give (like riding in a big ol' Cadillac), and that seems my heel hits "flatter" on the ground instead on it rounded back. Does that make sense? You might find you can have more of a mid-foot landing similar to that of jogging or running. Deep water running is great! Using a flotation belt (or not), you "run" in the deep end of a pool. I love it because it can be a hard workout that's super easy on the joints, and it has variations to keep things interesting (using arms, straight-leg movements, etc.). I go most often during the summer because it's often too hot in the pre-dawn hours here in southern Nevada. Cycling is another great option for cardio health and fat loss from road and trail riding to indoor spin classes at the gym or your bike on a trainer. Mix things up and have fun! Keep me posted on how you do ~ thanks!
New to this and wondering why you say "...until I too make the switch to power walking..."? Is there something about the differences that make power walking more suitable for an older person if they are already well versed in technique?
Thanks for that question! Keeping that forward leg straight until it passes under the body is a real challenge when issues develop with the knee (or feet, ankles, even hips) caused by aging, arthritis or prior injuries. :)
Thanks for quick response! So not in and of itself a cause of damage. Went for my first go this morning. Blessed to live in the Rockies with single track trails out my back door. Lots of steep up and down and found at least for now, I needed a sort of hybrid style, shifting to power walk mode on the steepest parts then back to race mode on the flats and gentler slopes. I can tell right off my knees like either of those better than running after many years of erm....heavy use ;) Thanks again.
