Can Running Backwards Really Better Burn Calories, Work Your Heart, and Build Muscle?
Running has long been considered one of the most efficient, convenient, and beneficial workouts. But some claim you get more out of the classic way of exercising with a new technique — or rather a 180-degree about-face. Hashtag #runningbackwards has already amassed 1.2M views on TikTok, with #reverserunning (112.4K views), #backwardrunning (102.1K views) and #runbackwards (471K views) also on the rise. TikTokers, including Antonio “LionOfGod” Gillespie (@prolongevityfitness, 30.3K followers), a certified fitness trainer and founder of Prolongevity Fitness, are hyping up the benefits of reversing your run. “The longest I have run backwards is eight miles,” he proclaims at the start of a video with 258K views and 47K likes. He goes on to explain that reversing your run, “works your opposite muscle groups, which means your quads and your shins.” Other benefits, he says: “stronger and more enduranced base.” And he says it burns 2 to 3 times the calories as conventional forward running