Like appearances, your walk is different and unique from any other individual. Some people walk fast while others like to take it slow.
It’s safe to say that each person is unique and differenttheir own way. It could be in terms of appearance, attitude, fashion sense, interests, etc.
Yes, each person’s walk is different and can help to identify an individual. Our strides and steps mostly appear differently from other people’s views.
Interestingly, your walking style has the ability to reveal a lot about you, and can even give away a lot of information about how you’re feeling. Find out what your swagger is revealing about your personality right now.
What Your Walk Means: Types of Walking Styles
From afar, we don’t notice the different types of walking styles of those around us. However, your stride, or step showcases certain qualities. They also depict possible health symptoms of underlying illnesses or injuries.
Because of this, we encourage you to pay attention to your loved ones’ walking styles. These details may become important in the future.
Believe it or not, we often base our first impressions on a person’s confidence in walking. Meanwhile, psychologists came up with various studies and theories about the difference between people who walk fast or slow.
To learn what your walking style says about you, read the types of walking styles we compiled below.
Fast Walkers
People who walk fast are, obviously, individuals who want to get somewhere fast. But more than that, fast walkers tend to be people who have high energy and are typically go-getters.
They can be identified as individuals who are confident, courageous and all about having no fuss in life. The fast walker personality says a lot about their determination to achieve their goals.
They also expect other people to keep up with them. If they are escorting someone, fast walkers often guide and walk ahead of their partners instead of walking alongside.
Image Source: iStock
Slow Walkers
Individuals who walk slowly or have short strides are classified as being relaxed. They tend to be more laid back and calm. On the other hand, this type of walking style often gets associated with relaxed or quiet walkers.
However, those who walk slowly usually do this intentionally to stay aware or to enjoy their surroundings. People who walk slowly should always keep alert as they are more susceptible to accidents and ill-behaved individuals.
When walking at night, they should avoid crossing their arms. Crossing of the arms indicates vulnerability and fear, which always attracts predators.
Stompers
Those who practice this walking style usually make themselves known with their heavy footsteps. Meanwhile, some stompers get associated with people who falk fast because the speed adds more weight to their steps.
If you know people who walk fast while stomping, they most likely take out their frustrations in their steps. Additionally, those who tend to stomp often showcase childish behaviour.
People who stomp while walking are agitated, angry or frustrated. Stomping may be a bit childish, but some people can’t help but do it anyways.
Quiet Walkers
Walkers who walk timidly and quietly are described as having low self-esteem and being shy. In order to appear more confident, people who walk quietly are encouraged to watk in a brisk pace with longer strides.
Meanwhile, those who identify as relaxed walkers usually depict calm demeanours. They choose to walk at a slow pace to enjoy their stroll.
If you walk with quiet walkers, they especially do this to pay close attention to your conversation with them. These people intentionally keep their steps as silent as possible to hear your responses.
For those who suffer from intense stress or anxiety, we encourage you to practice relaxed walking. By doing this, you allow yourself to calm down and breathe properly.
Strong and Long Striders
We often identify strong and long striders with women who manage and walk fast despite wearing heels. This type of walk also applies to people with confidence.
Meanwhile, those who commonly walk with strong and long strides are misunderstood for being too proud. However, these people choose to walk like this for a great confidence boost.
In truth, we don’t there’s anything wrong with boosting your confidence with every step. Those who walk with confident strides often do this to prepare themselves for the day.
Image Source: iStock
Draggy Feet Walkers
Draggy feet walkers often walk as they do because of an injury, a health condition, or extreme stress. These people often attempt to hide their struggles and let out their frustration in their steps.
Unfortunately, draggy feet walkers often get a lot of flak for their walking style. People who encounter them often find them annoying or irritating.
If you encounter people walking while dragging their feet, we suggest you check in on them. Those people are either suffering from an injury or struggling with a very bad day.
Combination of Pacing and Thinking
Those who pace and think at the same time usually do this to focus on their thoughts. They also do this for better concentration of whatever they need to think of.
When you encounter people with this walking style, we discourage you from disturbing them in any way. People who walk fast while thinking often follows a route that helps them focus on something.
Meanwhile, other people consider this walking combination as daytime dreaming. While they walk, these individuals manage to drown out other noise to fully immerse themselves in their thoughts.
Learn What Your Walk Says About Your Health
Apart from revealing your attitude and current mood, your walk can also expose your health problems. Someone who takes shuffled steps can indicate having Parkinson’s disease.
Meanwhile, different types of walking styles sometimes serve as symptoms of other illnesses that affect locomotor abilities.
People who walk bowlegged, or have their knees slightly bent in toward the other leg, can potentially suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.
Image Source: iStock
Improving Your Steps, Posture, and Health
Now that you know that your walking style says a lot about you, it should help you to be more aware of how you move and walk.
Regardless of your personality or mood, it is best to have good posture: walk with your chin up, chest out and back and shoulders straight. Make sure to look ahead and don’t hunch.
The ball of your foot should be the first to hit the ground when you put your foot down to take a step and walk. Avoid taking too long or too short of strides.
Learning how to walk confidently is important because you can make a lasting impression even in a crowded room. You can try to improve your steps or stride by practising in front of a mirror.
When you have mastered how to walk with a proper posture, you’ll look and feel more confident. Last but definitely not least, walk with a smile on your face or with a relaxed expression to have and give off a positive vibe.
Do you know what your walk says about you? Does it depict confidence or insecurity? Have you used your walking style to your advantage?
To build a habit of improving your walk and posture, we encourage you to watch this video:
This article was updated by Kaira De la Rosa.
