Social media can be a goldmine for legit, trainer-approved fitness hacks and how-tos that help you step up your workout game. And recently, TikTok users have been promoting walking backward on the treadmill as an exercise that helps relieve knee pain and strengthen your quads. But can simply switching up your walking direction really provide those perks?
Just know that walking backward can be awkward, and you don't have to stick with it if the technique doesn't feel right for you and your body, says Semones. "If you try backward walking and you don't feel comfortable doing it, don't get discouraged," she adds. "There are other ways to work on getting your knee extended, to work on getting your hip extended, to work on dorsiflexion of your ankle — it's not a one-size-fits-all thing."
