B2 – Upper Intermediate
Walking is by far the most accessible and simplest form of exercise. People who don’t like indoor workouts prefer to just take a walk as their form of exercise. But what if you can spice this up by walking backwards? Walking backward, also known as retro walking, is the latest social media workout obsession. There are a lot of claims as to the benefits of this unusual form of workout.
Let’s read the article to find out the benefits of retro-walking.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does the phrase “grain of truth” mean? “So it seems there is more than a grain of truth in Harmon’s claim to superior ankle strength, even if it was likely he took a few train journeys along the way.“ Use it in a sentence.
- What does the word “cohort” mean? “And in another study led by Dufek, a cohort of five athletes self-reported a reduction in lower back pain after periods of backwards walking.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
- What is the meaning of “incongruous“? “It found that participants stepping backwards had the fastest reaction times, perhaps because their brains were already used to performing an incongruous task.”Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
Discussion Questions:
- What are your thoughts on the benefits of retro-walking?
- Would you feel comfortable walking backward in public? Why or why not?
- Do you like going for walks? Do you prefer walking alone or with others? Speak about this.
- Are there any new and unusual forms of exercise you’ve recently tried? Talk about it.
- What is most challenging type of workout for you? Why?