With the London marathon fast approaching, you might be thinking about improving your running performance.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or trying everything to take some time off your PB, a Runners Need gait analysis could be your ticket to a more comfortable and speedier run.

Gait analysis at Runners Need, free if buying trainers (otherwise £15)

If you’ve never been unlucky to experience a running injury before, you might not know what a gait analysis is.

Put simply, the Runners Need gait analysis is a way to check out the mechanics of how you run (called your gait), so you can find trainers that support and enhance your running style.

With so many running shoes on the shelves, it can be tempting to make your purchase decision based on price or on what you’ve seen a famous athlete wearing.

But a gait analysis might show that you don’t need to spend a fortune to find a pair of trainers that perfectly fit your feet.

And a Runners Need gait analysis is completely free if you go on to order a pair of trainers online or in-store within 30 days (otherwise it’s £15).

The analysis might show that your ankles roll over when you land or you hit the ground hard, so wearing a neutral running shoe without any cushioning will not help propel you towards a faster time and could even leave you injured.

I have firsthand experience that the right shoes can really make a difference in running comfort.

When training for my first London Marathon, I started off wearing the same battered pair of Nike trainers that I walked around in at the weekend and soon got injured after going out for 18-mile training runs.

My GP, who was also a runner, suggested a Runners Need gait analysis and I picked out some neutral Asics Gel Cumulus running shoes that suited my feet and cadence.

The difference I felt when I recovered from my injuries and returned to running was transformative, despite the Asics costing around £100 (which is less than half the price of some high-performance running shoes).

As I got older and had children, the shape of my foot changed, so I returned to Runner’s Need for another gait analysis and was recommended a pair of Hoka Clifton 9 running shoes, which helped me complete my sixth marathon in under four hours.

Granted, I did race slower than a man dressed as the purple Tellytubby, but I still felt happy to finish it in under four hours.

Neither Runners Need gait analysis cost me anything as I bought some trainers, and the satisfaction that I got from crossing the line under my target time without getting injured was, quite literally, priceless.

What happens in a Runners Need gait analysis?

My Runners Need gait analysis began with a brief discussion about my running history, any injuries, and my goals.

Then I was asked to run on a treadmill while being filmed.

Runners Need gait analysis, free if buying trainers (otherwise £15)

This video was then played back in slow motion, frame by frame, which allowed the expert to analyse my foot strike and pronation – how my foot landed and rolled inwards.  

By watching my run on the treadmill and listening to what I told them about my current running technique and future running goals, Runner’s Need staff were able to show me the shoes best suited to my needs.

Although I land heavily, I don’t pronate so the advice was to go for a neutral running shoe with lots of cushioning and support.

At my first appointment, this was an Asics Gel Cumulus shoe, then cushioning technology developed over the years and the Hoka Clifton 9s were suggested at my second appointment.

Why is Runners Need a good place to get a gait analysis?

Runners Need is dedicated to running, so their staff and resources are specifically geared towards runners’ needs, unlike general sports stores.

Whether you’re an experienced athlete or a beginner, the team at Runners Need can tailor their advice to suit your individual needs.

A gait analysis appointment takes just 30 minutes, which, is nothing compared to the weeks or even months you could lose recovering from a running injury.

You won’t have to travel too far to have it done as there are 50 Runner’s Need stores across the UK.

Even better, it’s completely free if you buy a pair of trainers at Runner’s Need within 30 days of the gait analysis.

Where can you get a gait analysis near you?

All Runners Need stores offer the gait analysis service.

To find your closest, head to the Runners Need website and search by town to find the closest location to you.

There are locations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Is a gait analysis worth it?

In my experience, getting a Runners Need gait analysis was absolutely worth it.

I used to think I could just pick any pair of running shoes and be fine, but after dealing with a nagging injury, I decided to give it a go.

The process was surprisingly quick – just 30 minutes – and I learned so much about how I run.

The staff analysed my gait and pointed out technique issues I never even realised I had.

They explained how those imbalances could lead to injuries over time and recommended a pair of shoes that would give me the right support.

Since then, I’ve noticed a huge difference and I’ve avoided the kind of injuries that used to set me back for weeks. 

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