The truth about sports products BBC1

[beatasthma]

Interesting stuff, anybody watching?

[ellerunner Graduate]

Yup, watching now.

[blueboots Graduate]

yes, watching now

[Bxster Graduate in reply to blueboots]

this is one of those times where a live chat room thingy would be good in here

[beatasthma in reply to Bxster]

Yes!

[blueboots Graduate in reply to Bxster]

yes, very interesting. The one thing that surprises me is the running shoes

[Bxster Graduate in reply to blueboots]

Feeling vaguely cheated of the need for trainers that suit my feet and style... And the 'look at mine, what are yours like' ooooing I was enjoying lol

[Deryn61 Graduate]

Fascinating. I have always mistrusted "sports" drinks, what mugs we are though that we just accept marketing claims which the programme is debunking one by one!

[beatasthma]

trainers suprise..... specially after buying a, for me, fairly expensive pair.

[Bxster Graduate in reply to beatasthma]

I blogged before I'd seen you'd started a thread - I spent quite a bit too.. And was going to do gait analysis before the next pair...

[beatasthma in reply to Bxster]

I feel a noddy,,,I bought some protein powder a couple of weeks back as I'm a veggie and was worried about not getting enough protein in my diet. It tastes foul too. Back to the eggs and cottage cheese methinks.

[blueboots Graduate in reply to beatasthma]

Use a calorie counting site which also includes protein content and then you can get a general idea of how much protein you are eating.

[beatasthma in reply to blueboots]

Yep, good advice..Weight Loss Resources is good. Unfortunately I've paid up for 3 months on the Slimming World site , trying to lose some pounds, and don't want to pay for that too. Any free sites you know of?

[blueboots Graduate in reply to beatasthma]

I'm using myfitnesspal.com just out of curiosity to see how much I really am eating each day. No charge

[beatasthma in reply to blueboots]

Great thanks, I'll give it a go.

[Wantadog in reply to beatasthma]

There is nothing, in my opinion, to beat My Fitness Pal - there's a website and apps if you want them. Best of all it's free! Cannot recommend this highly enough.

[Legion Graduate in reply to Wantadog]

I agree. I use mfp to track my calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate and sodium. I find it invaluable to use alongside c25k, and I'm sure it has contributed hugely to my weight loss. You can see at a glance how many calories you've consumed, how many calories you've burned exercising, and how many calories you've got left that day if you want to reach your weight goal.

[Bxster Graduate]

Yup watching...

[blueboots Graduate]

I didn't spend too much on my trainers but was going to change them soon and have a gait analysis especially as I've had ankle problem recently although I'm sure that wasn't from running. I will rethink this now

[Hidden]

Me too! Don't know what to do now.

I started couch25km bac in April with my 6 year old trainers. Thought I would wait a while to splash out on new trainers just in case I didn't keep the running up. I graduated couple of weeks ago & am well & truly hooked on running. This sat I'm off to a y recommended sports shop to get my gait done & am prepared to spend up to .£80 . I've been looking forward to going for a while.

However, as i'm watching this programme, research has shown there is no supporting evidance to back up the fact that expensive trainers don't in fact help your feet. They advise to "go out & get a comfortable pair of trainers" . My husband says they have some in Lidl. What so other people think?

[Scipio Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hi there, just to add to this - the other day I took my son to a physiotherapist who specialises in podiatry, as he needs to get orthotics. I happened to be wearing my fancy trainers with arch supports. The physio noticed the trainers, asked me if I ran, and when I told him I was doing this programme (just about to start Wk4) he said that if I continued to run in those trainers I'd injure my knees. He advised that I forget about fancy expensive shoes, just get something that is comfortable, and told me that the best pair of trainers he's ever seen on a client were bought in Lidl...

[beatasthma in reply to Scipio]

My dad has been on to something all along then with the Lidl purchases. I bought some asics, but basically because the Nike trainers (bought cheap from a local outlet store) where so stiff that they rubbed my feet raw. The new trainers cost more ( from the asics outlet store...lucky to have them all close!) These feel really comfy because they have soft material uppers making them flexible....no reason not to look at similar types in cheaper shops when I need new ones.

[ellerunner Graduate]

I had gait analysis and they helped me find a pair of comfy shoes. I'm not overly worried what the scientists they spoke to say. I couldn't run barefoot on the pavements around here!

[Devanski Graduate]

Spent £75 on trainers after gait analysis...not happy now

[blueboots Graduate]

Lots of forum members have been gait analysed and as far as I remember almost all have been really pleased with the result and find their running shoes really comfortable.

[Bxster Graduate in reply to blueboots]

That's a good point analysis to get super compfy good enough reason

[sfb350 Graduate in reply to blueboots]

Gait analysis and the resulting choice of shoes transformed my running experience. I wouldn't have been able to keep it up otherwise - it was too painful for my feet and knees. I can only speak from personal experience, of course

[shelleymcb Graduate in reply to sfb350]

me too. gait analysis gave me trainers that made my shin pain go away.

[Tiger79 Graduate]

I had awful shin splints. New Trainers and insoles later... No more shin splints. Can't argue with that

[Bxster Graduate]

May be c25kers should offer themselves for a 'study' ?....

[magster Graduate]

Interesting programme. Makes you think what these companies claim their products can do for runners, or should I say for their shareholders!

[CaziD]

Had terrible shin splints at week 3. Gait analysis and new Asics gel trainers helped me... without them, I wouldn't have progressed. It's only the motivation that's the problem now :-(!

[Angel108 Graduate]

Watched the programme but wouldn't change my £90 trainers I got after gait analysis for anything. So much more comfort and support than my last running shoes. Agree with the drinks though and will happily stick to water.

[Greg_M Graduate]

Just finished.

Trainer thing aside I have to say I bought into most of that. Brings back an interview I heard with Seb Coe a while ago during the time everyone was being found with Nandrilone in their systems and it was dietary supplements that were suspected; he was quite outspoken about them. He said that he never had this trouble and that is because all his deitary requirements were regulalry sourced from those unfashionable of outlets the green grocer and the butcher! Seemed like wise words them and still seem like wise words now. After all Seb could run a bit

With regards the trainers things I am not sure they said there was no effect it was just less than the other stuff like distance, recovery time etc which is fair enough and maybe a bit obvious. I think there are enough of us that have had this done and had good results???

[sarmkel Graduate]

Worrying information about over hydration and how serious and dangerous it can be - how can so many professional people and mags get this wrong? Also feel a bit miffed about the trainers tho, just bought a pair complete with gait analysis, however they are comfortable........

Loved the chap with the jam butty - back to basics and common sense?

[Fuzzyrex Graduate]

I spent about as much on my trainers as I would on a pair of shoes around £70,its an investment in your feet,why would you not want to look after them & get the right tools for the job?

[mrslazy Graduate]

I haven't seen this programme but will watch it now. I had pain in the side of my foot and muscle fatigue up the side of my leg, after gait analysis all fine and my running is improved. I could see on the screen how my ankle went over and how it was corrected by the trainers. I would recommend this process to anyone with any aches or pain consistently in their legs or feet after running.

[tantrumbean Graduate]

I haven't watched it yet, but I do remember from reading Born to Run, that there is quite a lot of evidence that the fancier the shoes, the more likely you are to get injured and that older, worn out trainers are actually better for you as the cushioning disappears over time. Suppose there will always be two sides to the argument, but I do have my suspicions that a lot of the features in the expensive trainers are just marketing hype with no benefit or even possible disadvantages. However, I can't really moan, my trainers weren't exactly cheap and I bought them because I hoped they would help with my Plantar Fasciitis which has admittedly improved a lot, but I have no idea if that's down to the shoes or the stretching exercises I've started doing.

[Hidden]

Nope haven't seen it but will look for it on iPlayer. I think specialised running shoes come into their own when you have something that need correction, like your gait. Also as you get older the layer of cushioning underneath your feet thins down dramatically and the right running shoes will provide you with that, artifically of course.

I certainly believe that shoes/orthotics can correct a lot of problems, not just in the running world but elsewhere too. A friend of mine suffered terrible shoulder pains and casually mentioned it in conversation with a podiatrist who invited her for a consultation - provided her with advice re new shoes and gave her insoles much to my friend's initial amusement, however a week later the shoulder pain had gone. The shoes and insoles corrected her spine and hip alightment which in turn corrected the shoulder problem that happened because of the spine and hip. Still amazes me years later.

[Legion Graduate]

I haven't seen the programme yet, but my feet tell me the difference my running shoes (which cost £25) make. Before I got them, my plantar fasciitis was unbearable, and orthotics (which also cost me around £25) aren't 100% effective in crappy shoes. In fact, I almost never wear shoes now that aren't running shoes (or made by my running shoes manufacturer) because I can feel the difference in my feet when I wear 'ordinary shoes'. My most recent running shoes purchase cost £70, which isn't a huge amount to spend on a pair of comfortable shoes anyway. Maybe the programme is talking about shoes that cost hundreds (I'll look it up on iPlayer later), but the shoes I've got are definitely different to bog standard trainers or other shoes that were once 'comfy' but now hurt my feet. I'm sticking with my Brooks!

[monkeyfeet]

Good programme, I'm all in favour of common sense

If anyone is inspired by it to try barefoot or minimalist shoes or changing their running form, do please be aware you have to be carefull not to do too much too soon. Your calf muscles, feet and tendons won't be used to the work. Go slow and keep your milage low. Restarting c25k would be a good idea, maybe even doing every week twice.

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to monkeyfeet]

I started C25K in walking boots and then bought some Brooks Green Silence on the back of environmental credentials so I know no other way (turns out Green Silence are being discontinued...) Interestingly I suffered from leg pain for years before starting C25K. It hasn't gone but it is better. I don't run on roads though.

[Hidden]

Isn't it the case (as with so much in life) that use a bit of common sense: go for moderation and remember if anything seems too good to be true it will be. Shoes will not make me run faster but they might make me enjoy running more (either as I love wearing them so they give me a psychological advantage or they reduce hurts and sores as they fit me properly so run rather than think about hurting feet).

Before I started the programme I asked many friends who are runners what would help me to succeed. The answers were a proper sports bra and getting decent trainers fitted. I've done both and they have certainly played a part. Whether this is psychological rather than physiological I don't really care. They've helped turn me into a runner.

As with so many things in life there are people wanting to cash in where they can. I won't ever be spending £100s on trainers but I'll always make sure I've got ones that fit me properly. Having said that, we're all allowed our own opinions, so feel free to spend as much as is right for you!

[Nevertoolate Graduate]

I haven't seen the programme as I can't get it here in France but it makes me wonder about my Asics. During the first 6 weeks of the programme I used a cheap pair of trainers for about £15 from a local sports shop. I never had any leg pain. I then went ahead and got my gait analysed in a smart Paris running shop and bought a pair of Asics. Apparently I overpronate slightly. I immediately got pain in my knees. Eventually the pain wore off but I still don't feel anymore comfortable than in my cheapo trainers.

I read a few articles when the knee pain started which spoke about how these smart new running shoes didn't really make a difference to sports injuries. Here's one of them.

active.com/triathlon/Articl...

[avensis Graduate]

Sorry I missed the programme so I will look it up on I player but everyone's comments make me feel better. I was bitterly disappointed when I treated myself to gait analysis and expensive trainers-they did not feel any better than the Lidl ones I started off with. I found it reassuring to get the analysis done- I now know I don't need anything fancy so next time it will be comfort and looks