I’ve founded our company on the basis that you can achieve fitness without machines and fancy equipment. A simple pair of plimsolls may be all you need. One of my female clients has turned up to train in a pair of Prada ballet pumps!

It’s not what you’re wearing on your feet – it’s about how you’re choosing to exercise. If you’re trying to exercise to lose weight, ask yourself why you’ve chosen running – a high impact exercise that increases stress on the legs.

I suggest you could avoid shinsplints (and an expensive set of running trainers) by adding bodyweight exercises to your fitness routine.

Now I am a few stone heavier, so that could be the cause. But I am blaming my shoes more than anything. Before I go out and do all the wet floor tests and buy some fancy shoes, I am wondering if I might be better just wearing thin plimsolls. I need to sort my technique too (I think I overstride and get heelstrike). But I am not sure.

I agree in part with Josh, we are designed to run and evade predators/catch food. So surely it must be the shoe?

And I’m not a fan of aggressive heel-toe landing either, Josh. Check out this video on Merrell’s website about mid-foot running style. It’s under the title ‘Good Form’. (Please note: I have no commercial connection with Merrell, nor endorse their products).

Jason

Heel-toe running is the best way to obtain a running injury