A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve ever been told you should “get your gait analysed” before buying running shoes, you might be wondering what that actually involves. Is it complicated? Do you need to be a serious runner? Will someone judge your technique?
The short answer is: it’s much simpler and more useful than most people expect. Here’s exactly what happens when you come in for a gait assessment at Running Bath.
First, a Quick Chat
Every assessment starts with a conversation. Before we look at how you run, we want to understand why you run or why you’re thinking about starting.
We’ll ask about your running history, the distances and surfaces you cover, any races or events you’re training for and whether you’ve had any injuries or discomfort in the past. This background helps us put everything we observe in context and make a recommendation that actually fits your life, not just your feet.
Then, We Watch You Move
We’ll ask you to run or walk on our treadmill while we analyse your movement using Footscan technology. Don’t worry this isn’t about judging your form or telling you you’re doing it wrong. We’re simply looking at the mechanics of how your foot moves as it strikes the ground and transitions through each step.
The key thing we’re assessing is pronation – the natural inward roll of the foot during a stride. Everyone pronates to some degree. The question is how much, and whether your current footwear is giving you the right support for your particular pattern.
We also look at things like how your foot lands (heel, midfoot, or forefoot), the width of your foot and how your body weight is distributed. All of this feeds into the recommendation we make.
What is Pronation and Why Does it Matter?
Pronation gets talked about a lot in running circles, but it’s simply the way your foot rolls inward as it absorbs impact. It’s a completely natural part of the gait cycle, the issue only arises when the degree of pronation is outside the range that your shoes can comfortably accommodate.
- Neutral pronation: the foot rolls inward a healthy amount. A wide range of shoes will suit you.
- Overpronation: the foot rolls inward more than ideal. Stability or motion-control shoes can help correct this.
- Supination (underpronation): the foot rolls outward instead. Cushioned, flexible shoes are usually recommended.
Wearing the wrong type of shoe for your gait pattern doesn’t always cause problems immediately but over time, it can contribute to a range of issues including knee pain, shin splints, plantar fasciitis and lower back discomfort.
Finally, We Find Your Shoes
Once we’ve completed the analysis, we’ll pull together a selection of shoes from our range that match your gait profile, foot shape and running goals. You’ll try them on in store and we’ll take you through the differences between each pair – the level of cushioning, the type of support, the drop height and so on.
There’s no rush and no pressure. Our job is to help you find a shoe you’ll actually want to run in, not just one that looks right on paper.
Who Should Book a Gait Assessment?
The honest answer is almost anyone who runs or is thinking about running. It’s particularly useful if:
- You’re buying your first pair of running shoes and don’t know where to start
- You’ve been running in the same type of shoe for years and keep picking up niggles
- You’re returning to running after an injury
- You’re stepping up your mileage or training for an event and want to make sure your kit is right
- You’re simply not sure whether your current shoes are right for you
How to Book
Our gait assessment is complimentary when you purchase running shoes in store. If you’d like to come in for the assessment alone, there’s a charge of £20. Appointments are 30 minutes. Just bring a clean pair of ankle socks and, if you have them, your current running shoes.
Book your appointment online or pop in to see us at Running Bath, 18 High Street, Bath BA1 5AJ. We’re open Monday to Saturday, 9:30am to 5:00pm.
Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash