Are Expensive Trainers A Waste Of Money

marathonm@n

Apologies if posted before.
Is it all one big marketing ploy. The findings that you are 123% more likely to get injured with expensive trainers is startling.
Does anybody wear trainers until they are worn out and does anybody swear by cheap trainers?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1170253/The-painful-truth-trainers-Are-expensive-running-shoes-waste-money.html

RayCun

marathonm@n wrote: »

Apologies if posted before.

Only once a month :rolleyes:

robinph

The wrong trainers are a waste of money.

gerard65

Cheap trainers *can lead to expensive physio bills.

*can- as in might, depending on gait, training surfaces etc etc.

Abhainn

marathonm@n wrote: »

Apologies if posted before.
Is it all one big marketing ploy. The findings that you are 123% more likely to get injured with expensive trainers is startling.
Does anybody wear trainers until they are worn out and does anybody swear by cheap trainers?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1170253/The-painful-truth-trainers-Are-expensive-running-shoes-waste-money.html

Ive just read the book Born to Run which this article is based on.
Everyone should read it. It is excellent
I have now second thoughts on disgarding runners that I think are by their sell by date.
I would love to incorporate barefoot running into my weekly schedule.

ultraman1

Abhainn wrote: »

I would love to incorporate barefoot running into my weekly schedule.

please dont go to the dark side

Blueskye

I liked that book but seriously chia seeds and barefoot running? I just don't buy it.

Sosa

Abhainn wrote: »

Ive just read the book Born to Run which this article is based on.
Everyone should read it. It is excellent
I have now second thoughts on disgarding runners that I think are by their sell by date.
I would love to incorporate barefoot running into my weekly schedule.

I have it on audio book,going to throw it onto the ipod tomorrow

BJohnson

I read Born to Run a few months ago, and was convinced sufficiently to try out the Vibram FiveFinger shoes. I've done about 300 miles in them now and really enjoy running in them. I read plenty of user reviews before deciding to buy them, and I didn't find a single review that was negative. They took a couple of weeks to break in, but once my feet became a little more blister-proof, I've enjoyed them a lot. I know 6 others that have bought pairs as well, and all have loved running in them.

I've heard a lot of people say that, after owning a pair of FiveFingers, they'd never go back to regular running shoes. So far, I'd say the same. They're so simple, light, and you can wear them until they fall apart. Contrary to people's initial beliefs, they're not at all painful to run in.

I'd recommend checking out this interview with the Harvard professor that recently published a paper on running barefoot vs. running in shoes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jrnj-7YKZE

T runner

BJohnson wrote: »

I read Born to Run a few months ago, and was convinced sufficiently to try out the Vibram FiveFinger shoes. I've done about 300 miles in them now and really enjoy running in them. I read plenty of user reviews before deciding to buy them, and I didn't find a single review that was negative. They took a couple of weeks to break in, but once my feet became a little more blister-proof, I've enjoyed them a lot. I know 6 others that have bought pairs as well, and all have loved running in them.

I've heard a lot of people say that, after owning a pair of FiveFingers, they'd never go back to regular running shoes. So far, I'd say the same. They're so simple, light, and you can wear them until they fall apart. Contrary to people's initial beliefs, they're not at all painful to run in.

I'd recommend checking out this interview with the Harvard professor that recently published a paper on running barefoot vs. running in shoes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jrnj-7YKZE

Was What surfaces can you use the five fingers on in training and
can you do fast sessions in them.

BJohnson

T runner wrote: »

Was What surfaces can you use the five fingers on in training and
can you do fast sessions in them.

I've run on pretty much everything, from the smooth Prom in Galway to the rough roads of Connemara, and they've all been fine. It really isn't so much about the surface you're running on, but more about how your foot lands while you run that determines the amount of strain your feet and legs absorb. Running in the Vibrams forces your foot to land differently, since you don't have the thick heel of a regular shoe to land on.

I've done all of my training for the past 3 months in them, including tempo runs, interval sessions, and long slow runs of up to 20 miles.

I'm not saying barefoot running is for everyone, but it's a nice option to have for those looking for something different.

marathonm@n

BJohnson wrote: »

I read Born to Run a few months ago, and was convinced sufficiently to try out the Vibram FiveFinger shoes. I've done about 300 miles in them now and really enjoy running in them. I read plenty of user reviews before deciding to buy them, and I didn't find a single review that was negative. They took a couple of weeks to break in, but once my feet became a little more blister-proof, I've enjoyed them a lot. I know 6 others that have bought pairs as well, and all have loved running in them.

I've heard a lot of people say that, after owning a pair of FiveFingers, they'd never go back to regular running shoes. So far, I'd say the same. They're so simple, light, and you can wear them until they fall apart. Contrary to people's initial beliefs, they're not at all painful to run in.

I'd recommend checking out this interview with the Harvard professor that recently published a paper on running barefoot vs. running in shoes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jrnj-7YKZE

Would they ever replace your conventional runners completely?
Would you find you are slower or faster in them?
How did your calves take to them?
Had you any injuries previous to using them and if so how have they responded to them?
Would you recommend getting a half size smaller then regular runners or would you need to try them on first?
Thanks

BJohnson

marathonm@n wrote: »

Would they ever replace your conventional runners completely?
Would you find you are slower or faster in them?
How did your calves take to them?
Had you any injuries previous to using them and if so how have they responded to them?
Would you recommend getting a half size smaller then regular runners or would you need to try them on first?
Thanks

To answer your questions in order...

1. I have pretty much replaced my conventional runners completely. I run five days a week and have done so for the past 3 months. Out of all of those runs, only three or four were in my New Balance, and those runs were only in the first few weeks when I ended up with small blisters on my feet from doing too much too soon in the FiveFingers.

2. I've improved my speed a lot, but wouldn't necessarily put the improvement down to the shoes. I've been training a lot harder than I normally do, and use a Garmin 405 with HRM to track my progress. I can see improvement in all of my times, including my tempo runs and interval training. I can also see my heart rate getting lower while maintaining the same speeds as previous runs. My first race of the year will be the Connemara full, so it'll be interesting to see how my time for that race compares to my others.

3. My calves were sore for the first week or two, but nothing that I would describe as painful. They felt like they'd had a really good workout, but nothing beyond mild to moderate discomfort.

4. I usually have an injury or two every year, but seeing as how I treat sports injuries on a regular basis, and I work with another chiropractor that does as much soft-tissue work as I do, my injuries are always treated early and don't go on for long. They've always been the standard overuse injuries, but luckily nothing major. I've always been lucky injury-wise, and that hasn't changed since switching shoes.

5. It would definitely be beneficial to try on a pair before you buy. The sizing for the shoes is different from regular shoes. It's more like a glove for your foot, with no space left at the end of the toes. On the Vibram website they tell you how to properly size yourself, but when I ended up buying mine at a kayaking shop in Canada, I found the best size for me was actually two full sizes larger than what Vibrams had recommended.

Hope that helps!

marathonm@n

Thanks for taking the time to post a reply. Will you keep us updated on how you get on in Connemara. Thanks again.

ladytri

Abhainn wrote: »

Ive just read the book Born to Run which this article is based on.
Everyone should read it. It is excellent
I have now second thoughts on disgarding runners that I think are by their sell by date.
I would love to incorporate barefoot running into my weekly schedule.

Just finished that book too, absolutely brilliant but if anything it's convinced me I'm NOT born to run:)

RoyMcC

As the OP suggests the running shoe industry has been a hugely successful one in recent years, feeding off it's own hype, their customers' hopes and fears and sweatshop labour. It's no bad thing that more people are starting to question the marketing spiel and the claims of the benefits of the technology.

padlad

I've just read the book and am in awe of the runners in it. I too would like to try barefoot and as a first step am v interested in the vibram 5 fingers.

Anyone else bought them recently - how did they pan out?

Just looking to source my chia ;-) seeds now!

la calera

I just ordered (online) a pair...so will keep you posted when they arrive (next week I hope!). Have been plagued with injuries over the past few years, so prepared to try anything to stop achilles, calves and over pronation at this point....

ronanmac

padlad wrote: »

Just looking to source my chia ;-) seeds now!

http://www.i-chia.com were the best deal I could find. Don't think there's any nutritional difference between black and white chia seeds, despite the price difference (maybe it's an aesthetic thing!). I mix the seeds with my porridge in the morning...

cruasder777

gerard65 wrote: »

Cheap trainers *can lead to expensive physio bills.

*can- as in might, depending on gait, training surfaces etc etc.

I Often run in boots with a 40lb backback and never get injured, its all to do with running style.

Tec Diver

I got VFFs about 10 months ago but had to take 3 months off due to a hamstring injury (not related to the VFFs). Only back a few months now and have built up to 10k in them again. Hope to be able to do a half marathon in them later in the year. I do most of my speed work in them and I do find that I'm faster. Still doing my longer runs in "normal" runners. I run mostly on back country roads and once a week (sometimes twice) on a grass track.

cruasder777

Getting injured is nothing to do with the trainers, its normally to do with how you land with each stride, alot of joggers land on the front of the foot this causes the force of landing to go up the front of their foot and shin causing injury problems.

You land on your heel with a smooth running style, you wont have problems, nothing to do with footwear.

sconhome

This is an ancient thread reopened for some reason.

cruasder777 wrote: »

Getting injured is nothing to do with the trainers, its normally to do with how you land with each stride, alot of joggers land on the front of the foot this causes the force of landing to go up the front of their foot and shin causing injury problems.

Sorry, crusader777, not having a go but you are not correct in what you are stating.

Running off the forefoot actually reduces the impact forces in the majority of runners.

The foot is a hugely dynamic part of our bodies and is designed to work with these impact forces and to distribute the body weight evenly over the contact points with the ground. Many people have suffered injury to their calves due to forefoot running simply because they are transitioning to a new style of running far too quickly.

cruasder777 wrote: »

You land on your heel with a smooth running style, you wont have problems, nothing to do with footwear.

Yes, heel to toe movement should be smooth. The correct footwear has all to do with it. If you do not use the correct footwear, it does not matter how smooth you are, you can still become injured through inadequate support, guidance and movement of the foot in the correct positions for the running stride.

Everyone is hugely individual in how they run and this multitute of factors comes into play when working with someone to find the correct shoe. Whether this is a traditional technical trainer or a minimalist or barefoot running shoe is down to personal choice, assuming, the options work for the individual.

cruasder777

I used to land on the front of my foot and was always getting shin injuries, even my big toe got an injury, which would never heal.
That was with expensive trainers 18 yrs ago.

I went to see an osteopath he showed me how landing in the heel makes the shock was go up the back of the leg, instead of the fragile bones in the foot taking all the the impact, obviously a micro second after landing on the heel the movement rolls onto the front of the foot.

Since then I have never had an injury, I have trained with a 40lb back pack and run in 10 mile military events with a backpack, even on rough terrain with hills.

Always in boots, I dont even wear trainers.

rom

cruasder777 wrote: »

I used to land on the front of my foot and was always getting shin injuries, even my big toe got an injury, which would never heal.
That was with expensive trainers 18 yrs ago.

I went to see an osteopath he showed me how landing in the heel makes the shock was go up the back of the leg, instead of the fragile bones in the foot taking all the the impact, obviously a micro second after landing on the heel the movement rolls onto the front of the foot.

Since then I have never had an injury, I have trained with a 40lb back pack and run in 10 mile military events with a backpack, even on rough terrain with hills.

Always in boots, I dont even wear trainers.

How about on roads and footpaths , have you done 10 miles in boots on those surfaces also ?

cruasder777

rom wrote: »

How about on roads and footpaths , have you done 10 miles in boots on those surfaces also ?

Yes, lots of roads. Tarmac is fine, as is any even surface, inc hard ones.

The worst surface and only one I avoid are uneven rds where the surface has not been rolled well, which many boreens are, they are very hard on the knees, because they are so uneven.

dahat

cruasder777 wrote: »

I used to land on the front of my foot and was always getting shin injuries, even my big toe got an injury, which would never heal.
That was with expensive trainers 18 yrs ago.

I went to see an osteopath he showed me how landing in the heel makes the shock was go up the back of the leg, instead of the fragile bones in the foot taking all the the impact, obviously a micro second after landing on the heel the movement rolls onto the front of the foot.

Since then I have never had an injury, I have trained with a 40lb back pack and run in 10 mile military events with a backpack, even on rough terrain with hills.

Always in boots, I dont even wear trainers.

Trainers have changed alot in 18 years,cannot compare trainers from then to now.
10 mile military events-- are these like road races or obstacle type races or over land?

cruasder777

dahat wrote: »

Trainers have changed alot in 18 years,cannot compare trainers from then to now.
10 mile military events-- are these like road races or obstacle type races or over land?

This stuff, various terrain. No matter how espensive the trainer, if your running style is bad it cant compensate for that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtrIji7PT8M

sconhome

dahat wrote: »

Trainers have changed alot in 18 years,cannot compare trainers from then to now.

Biomechanical knowledge has also increased dramatically over this period, especially so in the past couple of years as research is being conducted more and more into running form, shoes, impact forces, terrain, etc etc.

cruasder777 wrote: »

No matter how espensive the trainer, if your running style is bad it cant compensate for that.

Unfortunately cost does not equal the best. I agree if your style is poor expensive trainers won't necessarily sort you out, but the correct shoe can help.

Its interesting how the advice you reeived 18 years ago from an osteopath has been completely turned on its head as a result of biomechanical studies and experience. Its a complete reversal of the thinking at the time.