Jogging / Running Technique

az2wp0sye65487

Hi,

Just wondering when running, is it best to land on your heel first or the ball of you foot / toes?


Thanks...

MagicMarker

Depends, are you running backwards or forwards?

az2wp0sye65487

Depends, are you running backwards or forwards?

- Forwards of course...

slicus ricus

Mathew Purple Cab wrote: »

Just wondering when running, is it best to land on your heel first or the ball of you foot / toes?

You should be landing on the ball of your foot rather than on the heels. It's a lot less taxing on the knees.

NewFrockTuesday

MagicMarker wrote: »

Depends, are you running backwards or forwards?

Thats just bold!

Colm_OReilly

Ball of the foot. Though I'm a heel striker and I seriously need to address this.

www.posetech.com might have some videos, but last time I was on their site it wasn't too user friendly.

Khannie

Interesting. I have ongoing trouble with the muscles around my left shin. I also definitely land heel first. /me investigates

Khannie

Youtube of a ball striker. Looks odd to me tbh. I'll give it a try next time I'm running.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAfdqQbppRI

edit: Here's the POSE pose.....



edit2: Another decent video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7zEruVUwr4

--amadeus--

TBH I wouldn't lose a whole load of sleep over it. Those who forefoot strike / have changed thier gait to forefoot strike are pretty evangelical about it and there seems to be something to it. Personally I just think it feels wierd and couldn't do it.

Rather than trying to twist your gait to suit a strike thats (for you) artificial I'd recommend getting checked out at a good sports shop and getting a good pair of trainers. Or if you are determined to change then attend a running workshop or join a club to get advice specific to you.

BossArky

If you land on your heel you are kinda stopping yourself as you jar your leg into position each step.

Landing on the ball of your foot provides more spring ... and in theory this will make you run faster / more efficiently.

I find it tires your quads a lot more when purposefully trying to land on the ball of the foot. Whatever you do, make sure you have a decent pair of runners with proper soles.

az2wp0sye65487

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Going back a couple of years.....

I used to run landing heel first, I used to have to stop due to sore shins. Then some guy in the gym advised me to give the toe/ball of foot landing a go. It did take some getting used to at first, but after practicing for a while I noticed my shins weren't hurting any more.

Up to date.... I wasn't doing much exercise for a couple of years and got unfit... and I've been back at it now a couple of months. Anyway, while at the gym on Sat & Sun I began running (only 15 mins on treadmill) and landing on the balls of my feet.

Yesterday evening and now today my calf muscles are absolutely killing me! I did stretch; but maybe not enough!

Would this just be until I got used to running like this again?

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i always thought the slower you are running the more likely that your heal will strike because you bodies isn't being propelled far enough forward to get a good andle for the ball of your foot to land

so when you sprint you are able to get a good position to land of the ball of your foot because your body is farther forward and also higher from the ground

i never knew it was strict and proper technique to always land on the ball of your foot

i'm sure i've seen people running marathons in the olympics with long strides with their heal striking first and then rolling forward