Backwards Running Is A Hot New Trend - Just Watch Out For Lamp Posts

It may look like I have lost my marbles.

But I am actually just engaging in a spot of running.

Backwards.

Backwards running - otherwise known as retro running - was first made popular in the 1930s by American boxer Gene Tunney, so it has been around for a while, but only now is it gaining popularity in the mainstream.

And no wonder - it turns out the health benefits are vast!

Currently, I am in the middle of some gruelling training for a half-marathon in Luxembourg, which will take place later this month.

So, I decided to put backwards running to the test, to see if it could benefit my routine.

I teamed up with the incredibly impressive Harmander Singh who, on top of championing a number of important issues in Britain, including representing Sikhs at the BBC standing Conference on Religion and Belief, also happens to have 30 London marathons under his belt.

Harmander is a big fan of backwards running and uses it in his coaching sessions.

We headed to Valentines Park in East London for my introduction to the sport.

Studies have shown that going backwards is incredibly good for your health.

Benefits
- More calories:

Apparently, taking 100 steps backwards can be as good for you as taking 1,000 steps forward! It burns more calories in a shorter space of time, so it's ideal for people with a busy schedule.

- Helps You Run Forwards:

Runing backwards, toe-to-heel, saps 30 per cent more energy, so you will improve your cardio-efficiency, which can help you improve your form and your time when you are running forwards.

- Posture:

A lot of forwards runners get very slouchy. People tend to hunch over and often look at the ground. Backwards running naturally encourages you to pull up straight.

- Muscular Balance:

Backwards running uses opposing muscle groups, so your muscular development will be more balanced.

Harmander is a champion of this exercise and says it is better to do it on a straight path on a quiet afternoon, rather than on a track or an area packed with joggers.

Though, in a park, you do still have to avoid tripping over the odd poodle.

And watch out for ponds!

The 54-year-old trainer added: "You can keep running backwards even when you're injured."

"If you have a sprain on your Achilles, backwards running strengthens muscles you don't normally use in forward running," he continued.

"It does increase your leg speed and it burns additional calories by you being alert," he concluded.

There are two main types of running style, scraping your foot along the floor or a high knee lift.

I was a scraper in my early attempts, as I slowly jogged backwards down a path, poodle paranoia making me turn my head more than was completely necessary.

Harmander urged me to up my pace and I began to put my long legs to good use and widened my strides.

I began to gallop down the path like a horse and was putting in faster times down the straight and narrow.

I could feel my quadriceps and calves being given a workout and my posture was definitely feeling more upright.

Discovering that Harmander is actually a veteran of over 80 marathons around the world, I asked him which style he prefers to employ during races.

He joked: "I only [run backwards] when I'm showing off or trying to find where everyone else has gone when I've taken a wrong turning."

He added: "I like to add variety into training [though] so it’s less boring and strengthens and develops all the muscles."

"I've seen people run the whole marathon backwards in London," he continued.

"I thought 'show off'. Total respect for them though," he concluded.

So, what do you think? Is running backwards the new forwards? Let us know on Twitter!