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Home > Health and Wellness >Good Running Shoes : How to Choose Good Running Shoes
Good Running Shoes: How to Choose Good Running Shoes
Whether you’re looking for women’s running shoes or men’s running shoes, the requirements will be the same – you need something that is suited to the running you’re doing and your running style.
To get the right running shoes for you, you need to look at your bio-mechanics and get a good grip on what your running style is.
Running Biomechanics
Pronation:
It is natural for your foot to pronate because it is absorbing shock. When you run your foot will normally fall on to the outside of the heel and then roll inwards until flat. When your foot strikes the floor in this way it cushions the impact and moves it through the foot.
However, it isn’t uncommon to have issues with your biomechanics that leads to you rolling on the foot too much or not rolling enough.
Over-Pronation:
When your foot strikes the floor on the outside of the heel it then rolls inwards in to the middle of the foot. If it rolls too much you’re over pronating. When you do this, it puts more pressure on your foot, ankles and muscles in the legs.
SuperPronation:
When your foot strikes the floor on the outside of the heel and doesn’t roll in enough you’re under-pronating. This can put excess pressure on your arch, your ankle and the lower leg.
Both these pronation conditions can be corrected with the right running shoes.
How to Find Out About Your Pronation:
There are gait analysis tests available from professionals, but these usually come with a price tag! A cheap, quick and effective way to check your pronation is to look at your old running shoes. Put them on a level surface and look at them from the back – when you do this, you’re looking for the way they are worn.
If your trainers stand upright and straight, then your pronation is neutral. However, if your running shoes lean in to the middle, it means you over-pronate. Alternatively, if your running shoes lean outwards then you’re super-pronating.
The formation of your arch can also effect your pronation and type of running shoe that will be suitable for you
Running Style:
Along with pronation, when you run, there are also different ways your foot can hit the floor and this is often referred to as your ‘Running Style’.
You can change your running style with work, but if your running style suits you then you can get running shoes to support your style.
Forefoot Strike:
This type of running is usually used by sprinters and people who tend to run faster because when the forefront of your foot hits the ground first you get better propulsion and can use a quicker pace. If you’re a forefoot runner you’ll require a running shoe that gives you increased cushioning to the toe area as this will be absorbing a lot of impact.
Heel Strike:
A heel strike running style is when the heel hits the ground first and you then roll on to the forefoot and push off the toes. This is a more common running style and is also found in the majority of long distance runners. A lot of runners recommend this style of running as the most natural. If you’re a Heel Runner then your running shoes will need proper cushioning on the heel and support through the arch.
Midfoot Strike:
A Mid-foot Strike running style is achieved when the heel and the forefoot hit the ground simultaneously, creating an even distribution of weight over the foot. This style is recommended by certain running groups, but is notoriously harder to practice and for most people will require a change to their current style and biomechanics. Mid-foot Runners will need a running shoe that supports them through the arch and encourages a even distribution of weight over the foot.
Information on our Good Running Shoes:
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Shoe Type: Cushioning and Motion Control Earth Footwear have specifically developed running shoes to include their world famous Negative Heel Technology. This design physically positions the heel lower than the toes by including a 3.7 degree incline from heel to toe in the sole of the shoes. This technology naturally encourages a positive heel-to-toe running style, but also cleverly negates the need for excess cushioning around the heel by using Negative Heel Technology to engage the calf muscles more rather than putting high impact on the heel. Clinical studies from the NY College of Podiatry have shown that this technology, although naturally placing the heel lower than the toes, doesn’t put more pressure on the heel than normal running shoes. In fact the pressure on the foot is evenly distributed over the foot and the technology ensures there are no peak pressure points on the foot whilst wearing Earth shoes. Earth Running Shoes also incorporate a firm arch and metatarsal support and a torsion shank for motion control. Customer Reviews "I intend to continue buying these as my new sports shoe. I exercise: run, gym and walk 60 mins into work and back everyday - after just one month, Earth trainers have amended my posture significantly. My back and neck are damaged following a car accident and I suffer ongoing pain. The earth shoe has pushed my shoulders back, but chest forwad and my spine is aligned for the first time in 10 years. Feel great and haven't stopped wearing them since I bought them one month ago - I immediately feel pain in any other shoe. Going to be an expensive time for me!" - Sarah "Bought these trainers as already own Earth shoes. I suffered from shin splints when jogging o thought Id give them a go. They are fantastic, no more aches and pains and my cellulite really has improved. Well worth the money" - Tammy Stewart |
Earth Footwear
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Shoe Type: Neutral FiveFingers have been designed to offer the same physical and visceral sensation as going barefoot. They are made by Vibram who spent years developing a sole that would offer superior endurance whilst connecting the foot with the ground in a way that can only be done by going barefoot and recent clinical studies show they’ve been very successful in creating a running shoe that offers better muscle engagement and protection than typical running shoes.
Typical running shoes position the heel higher than the forefoot. In FiveFingers both the heel and forefoot lie on the same plane, so there is no cushioned heel. This positioning encourages mid-foot striking, meaning that your heel and forefoot contact almost simultaneously to share weight load. For many the style of running encouraged by FiveFingers will take some getting used to and result in a bio-mechanical change, but it is most likely for the better as a mid-strike running style is said to result in fewer injuries, and offer a more efficient distribution of energy and weight. As FiveFingers offer such a change from normal running shoes they will take some getting used to. If you have further questions about their suitability then Vibram do have an expert Bio-mechanics team that addresses FAQ’s here Customer Reviews "I love these they are so comfortable, you dont realise you have anything on you feet! a must for barefooties ( people that like walking about bare foot)" - Diane |
FiveFingers