Help with recent gait analysis

WLC

Hi

I posted a thread a month or so ago about getting the right trainers to start a Couch to 5K challenge (after a long time not running). I knew about gait analysis from running previously, however I had never bothered to go get one, and instead used to run in my everyday trainers.

Recently though, I went and got a gait analysis at a local independent running shop. If I'm honest, he didn't appear overly knowledgable so I'm just wondering if I can rely on the findings.

After calling them and asking about gait analysis, they informed me it costs £10, or is free when buying trainers (thought that was very fair). When I asked how long it takes, he told me 'about 5 mins'. So I popped down.

When I arrived, he asked what size feet I have and gave me a pair of trainers (I'm assuming they were standard trainers?). Then I got on the treadmill and lightly jogged for 1-2 mins. Then he showed me the video.

He drew a line down my leg to my foot, and showed that instead of a 90 degree angle, I had a 91 degree angle. He then told me I've got a neutral gait and that I should go for neutral shoes. He didn't really go into more detail, so I'm just checking this was a normal experience with gait analysis.

I should say, I did tell him I was paying for a gait analysis as I wasn't planning on actually buying a pair today (not payday yet). Hence why he probably didn't get me trying on trainers, maybe. However, I was expecting him to maybe recommend a few trainers based on my gait analysis findings, as that is what I have heard from other people's experience.

It just seemed from other people's experience, they had a more holistic experience e.g. Foot examined, gait analysis, shoe recommendation etc. But I could be wrong of course, and that's why I'm on here really; A) To find out if he did do everything they normally do and to find out what next...do I have the option of ANY running trainers as I have a neutral gait.

Hope this makes sense

Lizling

That sounds pretty standard to me. If you were running with a neutral gait in neutral trainers, there was no need to experiment with different trainers with different amounts of support.

Everything else would just be about fit and perhaps the type of running you do (track, trail etc) but since you weren't buying, I suppose that wasn't relevant.

If you want more info about how you run, a biomechanical assessment might be what you're after, but they're usually not cheap.

WLC

Thanks Lizling. I just wanted to check as I've never had it done before, and heard stories of people being fitted in the wrong trainers and ending up with injuries.
But I'm happy, at least it was a neutral shoe so even if for whatever reason it was wrong, I shouldn't have too much problem.
Thanks for taking time to answer