How to Walk in Heels: Tips and Tricks

The first mention of heels can be found in historical books from the early 16th century. There is a version that heels were attached to riding boots to prevent them from falling into the stirrups.

How heels change a girl’s appearance

Later, people started wearing heels for aesthetic purposes. Heels help to increase height, improve posture, and add grace and sophistication. Heels can also hide some figure flaws. Elegant heels can radically change a woman’s image. A girl becomes more feminine, graceful, even playful.

Women in heels are always accompanied by admiring male gazes, because:

1. The figure looks slimmer.
2. The back is straightened, the chest is lifted.
3. Attention is focused on the ankles.
4. The woman looks beautiful and sexy.

Pros and cons of wearing heels

Wearing heels, like many other things in the world, has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are the main ones:

Pros:

1. Visually: height increases, foot size decreases.
2. Calves and gluteal muscles are constantly tense, which contributes to a beautiful figure.
3. Formation of correct posture, beautiful gait.
4. Heels are combined with many styles, which helps to create new looks.

Cons:

1. Pregnant and overweight women are not recommended to wear heels – it puts unnecessary strain on the limbs.
2. Constantly wearing heels can cause some diseases:
   • back and joint pain;
   • appearance of varicose veins and vascular diseases;
   • deformation of the pelvic bones.

3. Difficult rapid movements.
4. Possibility of falling.

How to choose your first heels

If you’ve never worn heels before, here are some tips for you:

1. The shoes should be of good quality: comfortable insole, non-slippery sole, ideally suited to the size and width of your feet.
2. The height of the heel should not be more than five cm, and then you can gradually increase it.
3. Give preference to tight shoes or sandals with wide straps that would securely fix the leg.

Technique for walking in heels correctly

Buying high-heeled shoes is only half the battle, it is important to learn how to walk on them freely, beautifully, and correctly. Professionals advise:

1. Watch your posture, your back should be straight.
2. Distribute the centre of gravity. The step is taken on the heel, the weight is transferred to the toe.
3. The arms sway slightly in accordance with the general movements of the body.
4. The steps are small but confident.

How to achieve a confident walk in heels

Before you go out, you need to practice well at home to learn:

• correctly distribute the centre of gravity;
• maintain balance;
• feel confident.

It is best to do this in front of a large mirror so that you can see yourself in full view.

Approach the mirror and walk away with one foot in front of the other, as if you were walking in a straight line, with your chin slightly upwards. Choose an easy pace for yourself, allow yourself to relax in a natural rhythm. The more you walk in heels, the more natural you will feel. After a while, your gait and posture will not require constant control, and you will feel confident enough to go out in public.

The most common mistakes of walking in heels

There are many mistakes when walking in heels:

• studying in uncomfortable high heels;
• practise in someone else’s shoes (mum’s or girlfriend’s);
• stand on the whole foot;
• bend your knees;
• wear a short skirt or dress;
• train in a crowded place.

If you were planning to wear heels for a certain event, but have not yet mastered the graceful gait, it is better to use wedge shoes or shoes without heels at all so as not to look comical.

What to do to keep your feet from getting tired while walking in heels

Ways to prevent foot fatigue when walking in heels:

1. Start the morning with ten deep squats and forward bends (to strengthen and stretch the calf muscles), twist your ankles left and right (to strengthen the ankle joint).
2. To improve cushioning, place special gel pads inside the shoe.
3. Rough edges of the shoe can be rubbed with petroleum jelly to prevent them from digging into the skin.
4. According to experts, there is a nerve between the 3rd and 4th fingers that can increase the sensation of pain, so you should wrap these fingers with adhesive plaster.
5. Throughout the day, if possible, massage the calves and toes to improve blood circulation.
6. It is not advisable to wear heels for more than three hours, and if possible, you should change into comfortable shoes without heels.
7. You should always have a set of adhesive plasters in case of blisters.

Tips on how to get rid of foot fatigue after walking in heels as soon as possible:

1. In case of calluses or blisters, dissolve magnesium sulphate in warm water and dip your limbs in the solution for 8-10 minutes. This process will disinfect the skin and help it to recover.
2. Make 10 rotational movements in each direction alternately with both limbs. Such exercises relieve muscle tension.
3. Make hot foot baths with the addition of herbal decoction.
4. Massage your feet regularly before going to bed.

Everyone is familiar with the expression “beauty requires sacrifice”, but there is no reason to neglect your health. Follow our recommendations and good luck.