

How much your running style changes depends on how you're already landing and moving through your stride. Will my running style change if I use Minimalist running shoes? Over time the muscles and tendons in your feet will strengthen, and as the calves strengthen they will work harder to support you. Get into a habit of strenghtening and stretching the areas around the foot. What happens when you you're overpronating, is effectively the surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments that would normally support the arches have become weakened, this eventually could lead to strains and pain to the foot and leg. If you've had an in-store or online gait analysis from a specialist running store and been advised that you over-pronate, then you need to be aware that the transition is going to take longer and require a mixture of patience and listening to your body. It isn't uncommon to experience soreness and training difficulties while getting used to the new footwear. If you're thinking to transition, switching from one type to the other can result in changes in running technique such as foot strike, stride length and even pace. Did you know more than 50% of runners are heel strikers!Ī minimal running shoe typically has a heel drop between 0-6mm. Do you land on your heels? do you over-pronate? and just how minimal do you want to go? It's really a good idea to visit your local specialist running store, try on a variety of shoes, discuss your needs and get advice from qualified staff. There are several things to consider before making the decision to run in minimalist running shoes.

How do I choose the right Minimalist shoe for me? Our range of options cover Zero Drop fully cushioned models to lighter and firmer low heel-drop running shoes, so you can choose the model that will offer the right level of protection for your running style.Ĭushioned Road Running / Low-Profile / Trail Running In minimal running shoes the offset is between zero and 6mm, to discourage heavy landing at the heel and to move you towards a more mid-foot or forefoot strike. Minimalist Running Shoes vs TraditionalĪll minimal running shoes have a lower heel drop than conventional running shoes, which have a heel drop typically between 8mm to 12mm higher than the forefoot. Minimal and low heel-drop running shoes encourage this progression, and feel lighter and more flexible than their normal road-running counterparts. Building good running form technique is essential for this. For a runner to achieve their best results they need to run efficiently. Minimalist Running, or Natural Running – as advocated by running form analysts such as Chi Running Instructors – lessens our dependency on highly cushioned, supportive running shoes.
