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Fitstuff Advice area

Fitstuff Shoe Guide FITSTUFF SHOE GUIDE

We have an indoor treadmill so you can try the shoes before you buy. Using the video gait analysis we can assess your running style to help find the perfect shoes for you.
Fitstuff Product Advisor PRODUCTS ADVISOR
Professional advice on the right gear for your needs. Ask instore and we'll set you in the right direction.
Fitstuff Physio Room THE PHYSIO CORNER
Welcome to physio corner!  A page with information on some of the lower limb injuries commonly seen in runners.
Fitstuff Personal Trainer YOUR PERSONAL TRAINER

Click here for ideas and advice that may help with your fitness training.

Our shoe guide

  • Its no surprise that runners can be prone to injury, over the course of running a mile your feet will strike the ground up to 1600 times with an impact of 2.5 – 3 times your body weight.
    Running shoes are not only designed to absorb this impact but also offer superior support,  grip, lightweight, breathability and flexibility to suit an individual’s running style.


  • WHY BUY SHOES AT FITSTUFF?

  • At Fitstuff we try to make buying running shoes as uncomplicated and relaxed as possible. All of our staff are runners with many years experience in analysing foot type and running gait. We like to work with the customers taking as much time as is necessary to find the most comfortable and supportive shoe for their running action. It is a common to see our customers running up and down Chapel Street trying out the different shoes!


  • CHOOSING YOUR RUNNING SHOES

  • When choosing running shoes you will hear about various different types of shoe and running styles. Below is a brief guide to foot types and the different shoes available.
  • The three types of foot motion are known as neutral, overpronation and supination (or underpronation).

Pronation image

  • UNDERPRONATION

  • Supination (or underpronation) is the outward rolling of the foot.  A foot that supinates does not absorb impact effectively and can place stress on muscles that stabilise the foot and ankle. Supinators would usually be advised to wear a highly cushioned neutral shoe.

NEUTRAL

An individual with a neutral foot motion initially strikes the ground on the outside of the heel. As weight is transferred forwards the foot will roll inwards towards the big toe. This rolling action (pronation) is necessary for the foot to absorb impact effectively and therefore a neutral gait tends to be the most efficient.  A neutral runner would be advised to wear a neutral, cushioned or in some cases a moderate stability shoe.

OVERPRONATION

  • Overpronation can be a common cause of injury in runners. An overpronators foot strikes the ground on the outside edge of the heel and then will relax and roll inwards or pronate.  Pronation is necessary for the foot to absorb impact, however an overpronating foot rolls inwards excessively putting added stress on the muscles and tendons supporting the lower limbs. Depending on the individual level of support required an overpronator would usually be advised to wear a moderate stability, high stability or motion control shoe.