The elephant walk workout is one of the most effective, powerful and unpleasant moves. This is the ultimate hamstring and posterior chain stretch. The exercise, which takes its name from the gait of elephants, mimics the animal’s walk and requires you to move forward keeping one leg bent and the other straight.
This movement pattern is excellent for strengthening lower body muscles while improving core strength, stability and balance. One of its distinguishing features is the elephant walk exercise’s tendency to engage muscles differently from more conventional strength training exercises like squats and lunges.
How to Perform Elephant Walk Workout Correctly
The “elephant walk” exercise is a functional action that mimics the walk of elephants, which requires keeping one leg straight and bending the other while moving forward.
Here is a step-by-step guide to running it correctly:
- Put your arms at your sides and stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- With your right foot still in place, step forward with your left foot.
- When your left thigh is parallel to the floor, bend your left knee and squat down.
- Hold one right leg straight with your right foot firmly planted on the floor.
- Step forward with your right foot as you push off with your left.
- Keep your left leg straight and your foot firmly planted on the floor.
- Alternate between your left and right legs as you perform the exercise again.
Benefits offered by the Elephant Walk Exercise
Elephant foot training has several benefits:
1) Strengthens the lower body
The glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves are all worked during the elephant walk workout. This exercise is great for building lower body strength as these muscles support the body and aid in mobility.
2) Improves balance and stability
The elephant walk requires the exerciser to maintain balance while moving forward while standing on one leg. Balance and body stability are challenged during this activity, which improves overall coordination and agility.
3) Strengthens the core
The elephant walk exercise also works your lower back and abdominal muscles, which are part of your core. These muscles are crucial in supporting the body during activity and maintaining proper posture.
4) Can be done anywhere
Elephant rides can be done anywhere and require no special equipment, making them a great exercise choice for those without access to a gym.
Tips to remember
Here are some tips for getting the most out of this exercise:
1) Start slow
If you are new to elephant walking training, start slow and focus on perfecting the action before increasing the difficulty level. By doing this, you will be able to avoid injury and ensure that the correct muscles are used during training.
2) Keep your knees aligned
When performing elephant walking exercises, it is essential to maintain proper knee alignment. This means that instead of being over your toes, your knee should be squarely over your ankle. By doing so, you can guard against knee problems and ensure that the correct muscles are used.
3) Use your arms
When performing elephant walking exercises, your arms can also help maintain balance and stability. As you step forward with each leg, swing your arms as naturally as possible.
4) Keep your breathing under control
As you lower your body during the workout, continue to inhale and exhale. Giving oxygen to the muscles will help keep them from getting tired.
Also, the intensity of movement during the elephant walk workout can be changed. For example, performing the exercise on a solid surface may make it easier, while adding weights or resistance bands may make it more difficult.
Due to its adaptability, the elephant walking exercise is a fantastic addition to any fitness program, regardless of the expertise or level of fitness of the user.