Shoe fitting? Real or Hocus Pocus?

BUMP.

I definitely didn't realize the importance of well-fitted shoes!
(Currently I am sporting my dad's old runners, and they feel awful).

Looking forward to giving this a read!

real! do it!

Someone recently told me to get fitted for some running shoes because my out side shin muscles begin to tighten as I run and it limits my running. I am 300 lbs and trying desperately to increase my exercise in my short 30 minute time limit.

Any way so my questions are:
1. Has anyone done this before?
2. Is it real or just a bunch of hocus pocus?
3. IF it is real is it worth it?
4. Speaking of worth it how much does it cost?
5. Who does it?
6. And finally after getting "fit" do I know what shoes to buy in the future when these wear out or do you have to get "fitted" every time.

Thanks in advance to the wonderful MFP family.

1 I have had it done every year or two
2 if you go to a running/sports shop, and you have a treadmill/video fitting, then it's real and makes a difference
3 Running shops do it for free
4 Free
5 a Trained member of staff
6 this is just my take , I've lost a fair amount of weight, so my running style and need change, as did my shoes, at 325lb I needed cushioning lot of it. Now 100+lb lighter I need some cushioning and more ankle support and control.
My running friends and I have an unwritten rule, buy one in the shop you got fitted in, and one from the net, you save money on-line, but without your support the shop will close. Two pairs of shoes will last 1000 miles (ish) a year or two's running. Run using alternate pairs of shoes, and they will last longer. and they get a change to dry out and not stink.

Great advice.

Just one thing I would add... make sure the shoes feel right when you try them. I've had it in running shops where they "prescribe" a certain shoe but it just doesn't quite feel right for my feet. Last time I tried on just about every shoe in the shop (well 30 pairs!) until I found one that felt right. Yes, follow their advice on what you need (neutral, minimal, motion control etc) but also be sure they work for you.

Technically I'm supposed to wear neutral shoes - I overpronate but have custom orthotics which correct this (and which I put into the shoe, having the removed the insole it comes with). But I find a little bit of stability really helps stop my ankles falling inward (so I run in Asics Kayano - stability and cushioning).

A good shop will also let you take them away, run in them and come back and exchange them if they don't work for you. I have done this on a no-quibble refund when a pair of shoes I was sold left me with dreadful ankle pain as they were not deep enough to fit my orthotics (it was well-known running chain but I have now taken my business elsewhere).

I do think that little local running shops are generally better - the people who work in them tend to run themselves so have much better knowledge.

I completely agree. Once a running shop helps you determine the type of shoe you need, you should try on different brands to find out what works best for you. Sometimes store personnel will steer you toward a brand because of their relationship with the vendor or because it is their own favorite; however, you should get a shoe that feels right on *your* foot. I recently took the advice of a running shop on a pair of highly recommended motion control shoes and ended up with three black toenails and hamstring pain. My second time around, I went with motion control again but tried on multiple pairs until I found one that felt great on my feet. No more black toenails and no more hamstring pain.

The right pair of shoes can make all the difference in the world when it comes to deciding whether you want to work out or not. Chose something that is right for your style of motion and fits you well and your workouts will feel so much better.

It matters for more heel strikers than forefoot strikers.

Heel strikers need the perfect shoe for them. Heel striking is not physically possible (in any sustained way) without special shoes for it. Otherwise you will hurt yourself, that is virtually guaranteed.

Forefoot strikers don't even need shoes, as long as they actually fit you, there is little else to worry about. Usually you'd want as little shoe as possible (it is silly to go to a special running store to get your gait tested and fitted for "minimal" running shoes).

Real for heel strikers. Hocus pocus for forefoot strikers.

Heel strikers would do well to fix their gait though, we are not meant to heel strike, it is only possible due to modern high tech running shoes that really just prevent injury and reinforce poor running form.

I will be the dissenting voice and say it is hocus pocus. I don't mean that a shoe should not fit properly but the idea of correcting a natural foot movement ie pronation is wrong.

The US military gave recruits motion correcting shoes based on the shoe manufacturer fitting procedure. They randomly assigned anther group shoes. The group properly fitted (again according to the shoe manufacturer procedure) had a higher injury rate. The US Military decided that they would not provide properly fitted shoes to their troops based on this study. The military recommends a neutral (non correcting) shoe that fits properly.

Link to articles about the study: http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/07/07/us-running-shoes-idUSTRE6665PZ20100707 and http://www.army.mil/article/42842/.

I do not subscribe to the website where I could download the study directly.


Me, I run barefoot. The picture is my feet at the finish of last Novembers Philly race.

1. Has anyone done this before?

I weigh 304 pounds now. I kept having this incredible, cramping pain in the top of my left foot, right above the inside of my arch. My doctor said tendonitis or arthritis could be forming and recommended I get fit for new walking shoes.

2. Is it real or just a bunch of hocus pocus?

It's real.

3. IF it is real is it worth it?

Definitely. I feel like I can stand for hours in these shoes, and I don't have any pain when I walk. My foot is still a little sore on occasion, but I think that's because it's still healing. It's nowhere near as bad as it was before. I'd say the pain is a 2 instead of an 8 (on a scale of 1-10). I've only had them for two weeks, and the difference is amazing.

4. Speaking of worth it how much does it cost?

It was free.

5. Who does it?

I went to Gazelle Sports, which is a local chain (I believe). I told them I'd like to get fit for walking shoes, and the sales lady had me take my shoes off and roll up my jeans so she could see my calves/ankles/feet. She knelt on the floor and watched my feet as I walked away from and toward her (to check for over/under-pronating). Then she had me balance on each foot for ten seconds. Finally, she felt my arches and ran her hand down the bottom of my foot to get a sense of how deep my arch was. She also used the foot measuring thingie to check my size and width. Then she had me try on three different pairs of shoes, and I repeated the walking and balance tests in each pair.

6. And finally after getting "fit" do I know what shoes to buy in the future when these wear out or do you have to get "fitted" every time.

She recommended I replace them every six months or so many miles. She created an account for me in their computer and said they'd have my shoes on file so I don't have to remember which ones they are. I can try those next time and/or check my fit again. Since some obese people lose weight in their feet (I've gone from a 9WW to an 8.5W), she recommended I get fit every time all the way down to goal weight just to be sure nothing has changed.

I will be the dissenting voice and say it is hocus pocus. I don't mean that a shoe should not fit properly but the idea of correcting a natural foot movement ie pronation is wrong.

What about correcting supination? I can certainly see where it makes more sense to address the root cause of gait issues - like muscle imbalances - but as someone that suffers knee problems it's freaking painful in the meantime. I don't want an issue like supination to get in the way of me increasing my cardiovascular health through running.

I will be the dissenting voice and say it is hocus pocus. I don't mean that a shoe should not fit properly but the idea of correcting a natural foot movement ie pronation is wrong.

What about correcting supination? I can certainly see where it makes more sense to address the root cause of gait issues - like muscle imbalances - but as someone that suffers knee problems it's freaking painful in the meantime. I don't want an issue like supination to get in the way of me increasing my cardiovascular health through running.

Correcting supination using a shoe is equally as wrong. My understanding is that pronation is normal and supination is caused by weak leg and foot muscles. The best way to strengthen the foot muscles is by walking and running barefoot. Using correct form will stop supination. Again read the articles those fitted with control shoes for either pronation or supination had more injuries than those who had regular shoes wether they supinated or pronated or not.

I used to go to a place in Boise, Idaho called Shu's Idaho Running. Free, as always, from a trained staff member. They then bring out shoes that are appropriate for you. They put one type on one foot, another shoe on the other, and you go out for a jog! You always see people jogging in unmatched shoes around Shu's. Go a couple dozen yards, back in the shop to try on another shoe. Eventually you find one you love. When I lived in Idaho I was religious about going to that shop because they were great (they would even keep track of what you had bought in the past so you never had to think, even!

One time I got a pair that I ended up hating. After a 10 mile run in them, I took them back a week later. No questions asked, and they refit me. Having someone with knowledge makes all the difference in the world. And FYI, I have no affiliation with Shu's, so this aint an ad for them!! Good luck!

I will be the dissenting voice and say it is hocus pocus. I don't mean that a shoe should not fit properly but the idea of correcting a natural foot movement ie pronation is wrong.

What about correcting supination? I can certainly see where it makes more sense to address the root cause of gait issues - like muscle imbalances - but as someone that suffers knee problems it's freaking painful in the meantime. I don't want an issue like supination to get in the way of me increasing my cardiovascular health through running.

Correcting supination using a shoe is equally as wrong. My understanding is that pronation is normal and supination is caused by weak leg and foot muscles. The best way to strengthen the foot muscles is by walking and running barefoot. Using correct form will stop supination. Again read the articles those fitted with control shoes for either pronation or supination had more injuries than those who had regular shoes wether they supinated or pronated or not.

I've done all the reading. I was totally sold on barefoot running. The head of my running club, also a doctor, is a big proponent of it and I respect his opinions. I really really wanted to be able to do it.
I have done everything I can, but I cannot run injury free without a corrective shoe. I still believe that minimalist shoes are better for the majority, however, I don't believe that it is a one size fits all thing. I still strongly believe that some people benefit from motion control shoes. I will continue to run, pain and injury free, in motion control shoes.

I also don't understand, I am a barefoot person. As soon as it gets warm enough, I have nothing on my feet or sandal. I constantly walk barefoot or without sneakers. I can't see why my feet would be that weak.

ETA - I've also worked on my form.