Earn Money by Counting How Many Steps You Take Backwards 🚶‍♀️💰

Most people walk forward without even thinking about it. Forward steps are natural, automatic, and boring. But what if I told you that taking steps backwards—something we usually do only by mistake, or when avoiding a collision—could actually make you money?

It sounds absurd at first. Why would anyone pay me to walk backwards? Yet in today’s world of gamified fitness apps, experimental challenges, and online communities that reward the bizarre, there are surprising ways to turn backward steps into actual dollars. I tested this myself, researched the trend, and even dove into the psychology of why moving backwards is fascinating both physically and financially. This is my story, my analysis, and my strange but fun reflection on how I earned money by counting my steps in reverse.

How I Stumbled Upon the Backwards Walking Challenge

The idea first appeared when I was scrolling through an app that tracks walking for rewards. Most apps pay you pennies for forward steps—you walk 10,000 steps, and maybe you earn a coin, a discount, or even a dollar if you’re lucky. But buried deep in the app’s experimental features, I saw something odd:

“Try backwards walking. Track your steps in reverse. Earn extra points.”

It was so unexpected that I laughed. Backwards walking? Like I’m rewinding my life? But curiosity is a powerful thing. I strapped on my sneakers, enabled the tracker, and prepared to do something ridiculous in public.

The First Attempt: Awkward but Hilarious

Walking backwards is harder than it looks. The first few minutes felt awkward, like my body was resisting the idea of reversing its natural instinct. My legs wanted to push me forward, but my brain was yelling, “No, back up!”

On my first day, I walked about 500 steps backwards in a quiet park. People stared. A kid pointed and laughed. An older man gave me a thumbs-up, maybe thinking it was some new exercise trend. By the end, my calves and thighs burned in ways I hadn’t felt before.

When I checked the app, I had earned 20 points, which converted into a small cash equivalent. Nothing huge—just a few cents. But still, the fact that my silliness was rewarded made me grin.

Why Walking Backwards Actually Makes Sense

At first glance, it seems like a gimmick. But then I learned something fascinating: backward walking, also called retro walking, has been studied for its health benefits.

Improves Balance – It activates muscles in a different way, training your brain to adapt.
Strengthens Legs – Studies show it targets the quadriceps more effectively than forward walking.
Boosts Coordination – Because you can’t rely on sight as much, your body becomes more aware of movement.
Burns More Calories – Retro walking can actually burn more calories in less time compared to walking forward.

Suddenly, this wasn’t just a silly money-making trick. It was a legit workout hiding under a playful challenge.

Turning Steps into Dollars

Now let’s talk about the money. The idea of getting paid for movement isn’t new. Fitness apps, experimental wellness platforms, and even corporate wellness programs often reward users for staying active. Usually it’s about forward steps. But when something unusual—like backward steps—comes into play, companies see it as a marketing opportunity.

Why? Because people share weird challenges online. Imagine a TikTok video of someone walking backwards down the street with the caption: “Getting paid to do this. Don’t ask.” It spreads curiosity, engagement, and free promotion for the app.

So while the payouts weren’t huge, the novelty made the experience more valuable. I wasn’t just walking—I was part of a living social experiment.

The Reactions: Comedy Gold

Friends didn’t know what to make of it. When I told them I was earning money by counting backward steps, the responses ranged from disbelief to mockery.

“So… you’re moonwalking into financial freedom?”
“Next, they’ll pay you for skipping sideways.”
“Bro, you’re literally rewinding your paycheck.”

One friend even suggested I start a YouTube channel called “Backwards to Riches” where I review all the places I walked backwards. Honestly, it’s not a bad idea.

The Psychology of Moving in Reverse

Walking backwards messes with your brain in interesting ways. Our lives are so focused on moving forward—progress, goals, the “next step.” Doing the opposite feels symbolic.

Rebellion Against Routine – It’s like saying, “I don’t have to follow the normal path.”
Mindfulness – You can’t walk backwards on autopilot; you’re forced to be aware of every step.
Humor and Play – It reconnects you with childhood silliness. Adults rarely do things just because they’re funny, but backwards walking is pure comedy.

I realized that part of the appeal wasn’t just money—it was about breaking monotony. Backwards steps made me feel awake in a way normal walking never did.

The Dangers Nobody Talks About

Of course, there are risks. I almost walked into a trash can. Another time, I nearly tripped over a dog leash. If you’re not careful, backwards walking can be an invitation for slapstick accidents.

Tips I learned the hard way:

Do it in open spaces, like parks or running tracks.
Use mirrors or check over your shoulder often.
Start slow until your muscles adapt.

Thankfully, I avoided serious injuries, but the potential for embarrassment was sky-high.

My Best “Backwards Walk” Adventures

After a while, I decided to spice things up. If I was going to earn money, I might as well turn it into stories worth telling.

Backwards Grocery Shopping – I tried pushing a cart backwards down an aisle. The looks I got were priceless.
Backwards on the Beach – Walking with waves behind me felt like I was retreating from the ocean’s pull.
Backwards Date – I convinced a friend to join me. We had an entire conversation while walking backwards through a park, and people thought it was performance art.

Each adventure didn’t just earn me a few cents, but gave me memories I’ll never forget.

The Economics of Strange Hustles

This made me think: why do people pay for weird challenges at all? The answer lies in the modern gig economy. People crave novelty. Platforms need gimmicks to stand out. And we, the users, love to turn ordinary activities into competitions.

Counting backward steps fits perfectly:

It’s measurable (apps can track steps).
It’s safe (compared to extreme stunts).
It’s funny (which boosts social sharing).
It’s unique (not everyone will try it).

So even though the money was small, the economics worked. I gave the platform content, they gave me rewards. Win-win.

What Walking Backwards Taught Me About Life

Strangely, this little experiment taught me lessons far beyond fitness or money:

Progress Isn’t Always Forwards – Sometimes stepping back gives you new perspective.
Value in the Unusual – What seems silly might hold unexpected benefits.
Playfulness Pays Off – Life doesn’t always have to be serious to be valuable.
Micro-Hustles Add Up – Even small, odd tasks can create streams of income.

Walking backwards became a metaphor. Life isn’t just about rushing forward—it’s also about rewinding, rethinking, and laughing at the absurd.

Could This Be the Next Big Trend?

If you look at history, the strangest things often go viral: the Ice Bucket Challenge, fidget spinners, planking. So why not backwards walking for cash?

Imagine a global event: “Reverse Day” where millions compete to walk the most steps backwards, with prizes for creativity. It could blend fitness, comedy, and social connection all at once.

Who knows—maybe in ten years, people will look back and say, “Remember when backward walking became a global craze?”

The Final Experiment: Backwards Marathon

To truly test my limits, I set myself a ridiculous challenge: walk an entire 5K backwards. I trained for weeks, slowly increasing my reverse distance. The day of the attempt, I strapped on my tracker, told a friend to supervise (in case I fell), and went for it.

It was exhausting, hilarious, and strangely empowering. By the end, I felt like I had truly mastered the art of moving backwards with purpose. The app rewarded me with my highest payout yet—just a couple of dollars, but to me, it felt like a medal.

✅ Sources

Terblanche, E., & Cloete, W. (2018). “The physiological effects of backward walking.” International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching.
Flynn, T. W., Connery, S. M., Smutok, M. A., Zeballos, R. J., & Weisman, I. M. (1994). “Comparison of cardiopulmonary responses to forward and backward walking and running.” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
Brown, S. (2009). Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. Avery.
Harvard Health Publishing (2022). “Surprising Benefits of Walking Backward.”
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper & Row.

Written by the author, Fatima Al-Hajri 👩🏻‍💻