TIPS THAT MAKE AUSTIN WALKING MORE SAFE, FUN, and EFFECTIVE
Our Austin walking coach demonstrates how to use the HeartFlex while walking Click the play button above to view our Walkers Video
Dr. Mike Maggio is a POSE method certified Austin walking coach. Watch his video wherein he shares some simple concepts including basic human anatomy and then demonstrates proper walking technique and proper walking form - helping Austin walkers avoid pain and injury.
Then he introduces the Heart Flex which builds upper body strength and flexibility while walking - it transforms walking into a complete body workout. No heavy or cumbersome weights or poles to lug around. Heart Flex is a simple to use, lightweight product, made in Texas, which conveniently wraps around the back of the neck, freeing the hands, when not in use.
Heart Flex is a great addition for Austin fitness walking and power walking on our neighborhood streets, tracks, and famous Lady Bird Lake walking trails.
THE HEART FLEX BURNS MORE CALORIES AND TRANSFORMS AUSTIN WALKING
INTO A COMPLETE BODY WORKOUT
There are many Heart Flex movements that target and build strength in the hands, wrists, forearms, arms, shoulders, chest, and back muscles.
Texas, and especially Austin, has many wonderful walking opportunities. We have many walking friendly neighborhoods, school tracks, and community walking trails
Heart Flex tones and strengthens the upper body while walking on one of Austin's many trails, community tracks, shopping malls, even while using a treadmill.
Using Heart Flex is a fantastic way to increase and maximize the benefits received from an Austin walking workout. It may be used during strolling, walking, power walking, and fitness walking. It boosts circulation and builds upper body strength without interfering with proper body mechanics or walking form.
WALKING - SOME SIMPLE CONCEPTS AND BASIC HUMAN ANATOMY:
The skeletal frame from a side view has a forward curve in the neck - it has a reverse curve in the upper to middle part of the back - the lower back curves forward again - and then the tail bone follows the pelvis around in a reverse curve - - the next progression is a forward curve which happens at the knees and then another reverse curve at the ankles and the feet.
To understand this concept correctly, bodies are alternately curved back and forth and act as a giant spring at their core. And this giant spring, by compressing and decompressing at the curves, resists and absorbs shocks. So, when walking, remember to maintain the concept of the body being a "giant spring." Keep the body aligned and balanced - head over the shoulders - over the hips - just behind the knees - and just in front of the ankles. Utilizing the "giant spring concept" will minimize the amount of stress to the skeletal frame when performing walking or any other exercise.
PROPER WALKING FORM:
When walking the center of mass needs to be directly over the ball of the foot as it hits the ground. The heel will strike first and then the ball of the foot. The majority of the weight of the body should be directly over the ball of the foot with a bent knee.
Lean forward to begin walking. It is not necessary to push as the body is naturally "falling forward" because of the pull of gravity. Then move onto the next foot and repeat the process. Increasing the amount of "lean" increases the forward speed.
BENEFITS OF PROPER WALKING FORM:
Proper walking mechanics are important to keep in mind when strolling, walking, fitness walking, and power walking.
By keeping the body in proper alignment and utilizing the concept of the body as a "giant spring" stress to the body is minimized, heel contact shock is minimized, and injury is minimized. Without injury and its attendant pain it is now possible to walk, have fun, and get a great workout.
HOW THE HEART FLEX BURNS MORE CALORIES AND TRANSFORMS WALKING INTO A COMPLETE BODY WORKOUT:
Heart Flex Speeds Weight Loss, Tightens, and Firms:
The addition of working upper body muscles during walking exercise increases the total amount of calories burned which helps to speed weight loss. Along with weight loss the Heart Flex utilizes resistance exercise which tightens and firms the upper arms, chest, and back muscles - for a toned trim figure.
Heart Flex Boosts Circulation to Naturally
Detoxify the Body:
Walking with the Heart Flex creates muscle flexion of the arms and upper torso which stimulates the pulmonary, circulatory, and lymphatic systems. In particular, flexing the pectoral muscles targets the lymphatic pumps located directly under the chest muscles. Improved blood and lymphatic flow assists the body's natural cleansing processes.
In an average thirty minute walk taking two paces per second and moving the hands at the same rhythm as the feet - the hands will have performed 3600 (thirty six hundred) upper body repetitions. The key to toning and strengthening muscles with the Heart Flex is multiple repetitions not strenuous activity.
There are many Heart Flex movements that target and build strength in the hands, wrists, forearms, arms, shoulders, chest, and back muscles.
WHY THE HEART FLEX IS UNIQUE:
The most revolutionary aspect about the Heart Flex is its versatility. It is lightweight, it is portable, and it is simple and easy to use. There are many different exercises that may be performed. It tones and builds muscle strength in the hands, wrists, forearms, arms, shoulders, chest, and back.
Weights, springs, and rubber bands only supply resistance in one direction. Weights work against gravity and so only effect muscle flexion when it is opposed to earth's gravity. Springs and rubber bands likewise supply resistance only when it opposes their resting (ambient) state. Heart Flex is a totally unique exercise product that supplies "consistent resistance" through a range of motion regardless of gravity or the product's relative deformation (spring) from a neutral state. What this means for the user is that Heart Flex delivers "consistent resistance" no matter where, no matter how, no matter when it is repositioned. Whenever the Heart Flex is deformed it produces resistance which creates beneficial exercise to muscle structure across the entire range of motion that is performed. Heart Flex makes a wonderful addition to fitness walking and power walking.
Heart Flex Adds Upper Body Strength Training to Walking:
There are multiple exercise movements shown on the DVD that accompanies each Heart Flex. Specific exercises are demonstrated which target the hands, wrists, forearms, upper arms, shoulders, chest, and back. It is fun and easy for walkers to switch between various exercises and customize an exercise program that targets their personal trouble spots. Heart Flex builds strong, dense, flexible muscles - like swimming - not bulky, stiff muscles like weight training.
Heart Flex doesn't impede proper body mechanics, it doesn't impede proper form, and it allows interval training. Use the Heart Flex for a minute and then rest - do the same or a different exercise and then rest - that's called interval training. There are multiple Heart Flex movements that target the hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, arms, shoulders, chest, and back that may be performed during a walking activity.
Heart Flex tones and strengthens the upper body on a country trail, a treadmill, an urban path, in a mall, even while sitting down.
It is lightweight, packs easily, and makes a wonderful travelling companion.
To take a break and free the hands just wrap the lightweight Heart Flex around the back of the neck.
IN CONCLUSION:
Using Heart Flex is a fantastic way to increase and maximize the benefits received from a walking workout. It may be used during strolling, walking, power walking, and fitness walking. It boosts circulation and builds upper body strength without interfering with proper body mechanics or walking form.
Heart Flex is an Austin based corporation and our product is made in San Marcos, Texas.