What's in a step?

What's in a step?

We all love to track our steps and see the circles on our watch close or the goals on our fit bits increase.  We know that walking is good for us and the more we walk the better we feel but what really goes into each and everyone one of those 10,000 steps a day????

Did you know that each foot consists of 26 bones, 30 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments?  Nearly one-fourth of our bodies bones are in our feet!  These bones are an essential piece of the structure that supports our body weight.  

When we begin to walk and add friction to that already significant force, we are increasing the forces upon our body from 1.5 to 3 times our body weight!  That is a lot of impact on muscles that we barely even know we have!  No wonder there are so many ailments associated with our feet!

Practicing regular barefoot exercise is the best way to prep your feet for years and years of walking 10,000 or more steps a day.  In barre and pilates classes, we spend dedicated time thinking about our foot alignment and strengthening the muscles that support it.  We encourage working foot and ankle mobility in order to keep it fluid and agile.  

We want you to get out this spring and walk (maybe even walk theRed Shoe Shuffle 5kwith us!).  And we want you to avoid adding foot ailments to your list of concerns.  So, this week, take off your shoes and prep your feet for a lifetime of walking bygetting cozy at the barre.....

 
Tammy and Anne Marie