To do or not to do?

I keep reading posts about gait analysis and I was wondering if it really is worth doing? I wondered how much benefit there is? My hubby (a non runner) is very skeptical and negative about it, saying it is only another way of sport shops to make money out of us. I wondered what your experiences were as I am thinking about going to get mine done.

[Mat30 Graduate]

I had my gait analysed at Christmas to buy a proper pair of running shoes, and yes there is an argument that you may well be sold a more expensive pair of trainers than you may need. BUT seeing as your feet are the ones that are going to take the pounding of you running it is, in my own humble opinion, worth it. I had been running in Nike trainers and got my gait analysed and although I knew I had flat feet I never knew of the issues that they were causing me. I have now been running since Christmas in my (not so new now) running shoes and not sustained any type of injury and I now run in the knowledge that to some degree my flat feet are being put in the correct position for running by my running trainers. I had an extremely helpful and knowledgeable chap who gave me a whole load of shoes to choose from in every price range that would assist my over-pronation. So in a nutshell yes but stick to the price range that you can afford.

[Hidden in reply to Mat30]

Thanks, I think that is a very valid point, one that I have been overlooking, that it is your feet that take the pounding. I don't think I have anything to lose so to speak, as I have joint issues around my big toes (when i was a teenager my horse trod on me a couple of times and I'm now paying for it!)

[hannah141 Graduate]

In my opinion, yes, I'm sure that's a problem in a huge number of running shops. However, I think thats a problem with the salesmanship, not the gait analysis. When I went, I told them of my budget right from the offset so they didn't even try and present me with the latest super-shoes. It turned out they had nothing for me anyway (massive feet) and I left empty handed. I didn't once feel under pressure to purchase or shooed out (sorry) due to my inexperience. Turns out, the running crowd is actually a really friendly bunch!

[Hidden in reply to hannah141]

Thanks, I will take your advice and tell them at the outset what my budget is. That hopefully will stop hubby from worrying!

[PippiRuns]

When I recently went to have a gait analysis, I first ran on the treadmill in my old Adidas trainers that I bought three years ago and did c25k in. The woman there told me, that they were perfect for me and that there was no need for a new pair of shoes. But I wanted new ones (graduation present for myself) so I asked her to find me some of the same kind - she found 4 different pairs and I tried them all on the treadmill, she filmed it and checked that my feet and ankles looked "right", and I chose the most comfortable (and cheapest, but I didn't know that) ones, Nike something. Next time I need new trainers, I know that I need neutral ones, so I guess I'll skip the gait analysis, but I'm glad I did the test.

[Hidden in reply to PippiRuns]

I have a feeling that I will be told that my trainers are unsuitable. They feel much too comfy to be supportive! and i want new ones !

[PippiRuns in reply to Hidden]

And then you should😄 My point is, she wasn't trying to sell me something I didn't need by telling me I did need it. That was very nice.

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

For most people, it probably isn't necessary.

A lot of people though, myself included, have some sort of bio-mechanical imbalance or physical abnormality that means that standard neutral support shoes are not suitable.

Generally speaking, any such issues would be apparent in the form of frequent niggles/injuries if you are wearing unsuitable footwear.

[Hidden in reply to Dunder2004]

Thanks,I get frequent niggles around my toe joints so, I think as long as I can convince my hubby I won't break the bank I have nothing to lose!