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Original poster

Local running shop wants to charge £15 for gait analysis which I Know I need but...

25 replies

upjacobscreekwithoutapaddle · 13/01/2014 20:55

I have seen most of the shoes they sell in there cheaper online.

I've take up running and think I need some more appropriate footwear. I'm pretty sure I slightly overpronate and do suffer with sciatic pain. Anyone have any trainer suggestions? I need cheap as poss and could do without spending the £15 on top!

OP posts:
Mitchy1nge · 13/01/2014 20:57

sweatshop will do it for free, is there one anywhere near you?

I've never paid for gait analysis but I can see why they might charge, it can take ages

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 13/01/2014 20:59

Ours charges but not if you buy the trainers from them, only if you go off and buy the trainers somewhere else.

I wear Brooks, think their website has a guide on it.

gingergran · 13/01/2014 21:00

Most good running shops will NOT charge you for gait analysis.

I would try somewhere else before you buy online as if you do need shoes with extra support or similar and then run without them you could cause yourself major problems.

From experience, the most important part of equipment when running are the right pair of shoes

Runningtrainers · 13/01/2014 21:01

Our local doesn't charge...but as above I wear Brooks, follow their guidelines!

addictedtosugar · 13/01/2014 21:03

The charge is to stop you doing exactly what your planning - using their equipment and expertise and then going elsewhere to buy.
I suspect if you buy shoes from them, you'll get the cost back.

Sports direct (a big one) near me had a plate to stand on, which measured some of your stance (but not motion), and then directed you to a pile of color coded shoe boxes. It would be better than nothing, but not as good as gait analysis.

Primadonnagirl · 13/01/2014 21:05

You should not need to pay for this and it's only as good as the staff so beware. I would see a physio first because foot strike imbalance can actually be caused by problems elsewhere esp hip flexors and the long band of muscle known as the IT band. I currently wear the Nike free 5 trainers which are wonderful..they say it's like running barefoot but they are not those horrible foot glove thingies!

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 13/01/2014 21:08

If you've got sciatic pain I really would get the gait analysis done.

PrimalLass · 13/01/2014 21:08

I had it done, but it was rubbish. The trainers the sold me caused huge blisters. I have done a much better job myself with the pair I have now. I just googled trainers for wide foot, high arch, narrow ankle.

Have a read of forums etc.

Knottingley · 13/01/2014 21:19

Hmm

Lots of "experts" now seem to be coming round to the view that gait analysis is an elaborate marketing ploy. Some experts actually think it and the support shoes it often prescribes do more harm than good.

That said, I don't think it's unreasonable for the shop to charge if you take their time and expertise and don't buy shoes. They know the shoes are cheaper on-line, the gait analysis is their USP and the only thing that keeps them in business. The only shops I know who charge, only charge if you don't buy shoes iyswim. Very unreasonable if they charge even if you buy the shoes.

I tend to get the first pair fitted in a shop and buy the next ones on-line (need to be replaced every 500 miles, which isn't as far as it sounds!)

Original poster
upjacobscreekwithoutapaddle · 13/01/2014 21:48

Thanks all for the insight and advice.

I accept it's a little cheeky to use their service and then buy trainers elsewhere. I went into the shop today and the woman said I wouldn't get anything from them for less than £80 - £100. While I don't want to scrimp on an essential piece of equipment I simply don't have that cash at the moment. Looking online I can see the 'premium' running brands for much less, but I don't want to buy something inappropriate.

I'm determined to improve so I might just have to suck up the cover charge (I will have a look at the other shops you've mentioned when I'm not on my phone to see if any are local). Thanks again

OP posts:
Lazysuzanne · 14/01/2014 01:11

Lots of "experts" now seem to be coming round to the view that gait analysis is an elaborate marketing ploy. Some experts actually think it and the support shoes it often prescribes do more harm than good

thats the view that I tend towards, although I've noticed that on mn the necessity for gait analysis is usually accepted without question.

I'm not much of a runner so I cant speak from a great deal of experience but all my running has been done in vibrams.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 14/01/2014 03:13

The difficulty is that you do risk injury with the wrong style of shoe.

Having said that I do think it's a bit cheeky to charge and for it not to be redeemable against the shoes.

I went to an independent store and have since ordered the same trainers online.

I run 30+miles a week and I do think decent well fitting trainers are important for me in injury prevention.

ivykaty44 · 15/01/2014 18:31

I have recently read a book that was saying much the same as other posters about gait, don't bother as it doesn't work.

BiscuitsAreMyDownfall · 15/01/2014 18:50

I've been running 2 years now and never had my gait analysed. I did try twice though, but the machine was broken both times. I did know someone who was injured and she always got her running shoes from Sports Direct. So I can't say if it's worth it or not. Her injury might be nothing to do with that for all I know.

What did people do before having your gait analysed was available? Running is supposedly cheap as well. I'm not convinced it is.

How often do you run? How long have you been running for? I'd be tempted to buy a cheap pair for now and just listen to any pains and take it easy until you save up for some. I refused to even think about spending that much until I knew that running would be something I'd stick to.

Next time if I can afford it I will consider going to a running shop, but if I can't I will go to Sports Direct and be happy with that.

EauRouge · 15/01/2014 19:46

I used to run in a cheap pair of Nikes and I didn't notice much wrong with them until I started running further than about 10k. My ankles roll inwards quite a lot when I land and they were really hurting after long runs. Now I've got more supportive shoes it's much more comfortable running long distances.

I suppose before gait analysis was available people with flat feet just didn't run that much. Everyone does marathons these days, not just the super-fit athletic types. I think that's probably more down to running shoe technology and knowledge of running techniques etc than everyone suddenly becoming loads fitter.

kaumana · 16/01/2014 17:46

A specialised running shop near me now only sells barefoot shoes, Vibram five fingers to more standard shoes like Nike Free.

I agree that the trend is now moving towards a less structured shoe.

Chopstheduck · 16/01/2014 17:53

sweatshop will do it for free and even offer a refund on the shoes if you aren't satisfied.

I've not done it yet, but I may do next time. I had a knee injury in the summer, but have had no problems since switching to Nike free run shoes. Barefoot style was def the way to go for me, might be worth considering.

Wolfiefan · 16/01/2014 17:59

Up and running do free gait analysis. I was much more comfortable in the shoes I got there.

CynicalandSmug · 20/01/2014 10:39

Good form, and strength and flexibility work on the the leg muscles are more important than the shoe. So many injuries are down to running with bad form, or weak or tight muscles affecting for example the knees. That said avoid shoes with thick heels.

Lazysuzanne · 20/01/2014 11:14

Such a lot of controversy in the running world over the issue of shoes and such a lot of $$ to be made from running shoes that it's hard to know the truth.

I mean, them thar minimal shoes ain't exactly minimal in price Hmm

yankeecandlebabypowder · 21/01/2014 22:17

I need a gait but finding the time to get it done is a pain. I was OK when I ran 10ks but increased to HM training & my knees ached after 10 miles so I didn't get to run further. My 1st HM was OK till 9 miles & I ran/walked for the other 4 cos of them.

I'm gonna go to DW for a gait & they're free. But they will pounce on me to buy trainers, but I'll 1st find out if I'm neutral or not. I run in neutrals now but it may be just dodgy knees!

EducatingNora · 22/01/2014 13:21

I bought my most recent pair of running shoes after gait analysis. I have been able to run without ITB pain for the first time in 13 years (!!!!) because of them. I think it's worth getting done.

allmycats · 22/01/2014 13:29

Surely you don't expect the service to be free if you are not buying the shoes from the store, in the same way I would expect the cost of the analysis to be deducted from the cost of the shoes if bought from the same place.

orangeflutie · 22/01/2014 15:54

Personally I would get the gait analysis done even if you do have to pay for it. I've been running for a few years now and it seems to me that if you try and save money on shoes, you end up with an injury and then spend the saved money on physio .

orangeflutie · 22/01/2014 16:13

Sorry for bleak post, probably because I've got an injury at the moment. Have found Brooks to be really good and comfortable. I pronate on left foot so buy the support onesSmile

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