Newton Running Shoes

Lightweight Comfort

The human body is designed for running.  In so many ways we were born to run. Literally. Through evolution, the biomechanical and physiological make-up of the human body has positioned us humans as the most efficient running machine nature has ever produced. Newton have aimed to take advantage of some of these features and incorporate them into their running shoe designs. Like any shoe, they are not suited to every runner, however if you favour a forefoot/midfoot running technique Newtons are the shoe for you.

newton running distance u trainer

Newton Running Headquarters are in Boulder, Colarodo which is itself a hub of innovative athletic businesses, runners and outdoor enthusiasts.  No surprise then that Newton pioneers felt right at home here.  At Newton, great care and research was undertaken to design shoes that actively support you as you rediscover and strengthen your natural running motion. Newton running shoes give you highly responsive cushioning and protection plus enhanced ground feel – a rare combination. Newton Running shoes are designed to provide a more level-to-the-ground platform with minimal drop – like your feet – to help you find your optimal position as you run.

Newton Running Action/ReactionTM Technology

Action/ReactionTM Technology

Most running shoes utilize passive cushioning like EVA foam, gel or air that lose energy as they are engaged. Like a mattress, these materials flatten under your body weight over time. With Action/ReactionTM technology, you experience a highly responsive and engaging cushioning system that "protects the runner from shock and reduces energy loss". It is these features which make this an ideal choice for forefoot runners and will aid in their energy return propulsive phase of gait

  

Newton Running minimal heel to toe drop

Minimal Heel to Toe Drop

Newton Running shoes are designed with a minimal “drop” – or height difference – between the height of the heel and the ball of the foot. A more level-to-the-ground platform positions you to support a natural running motion.

 Biomechanical Sensor Plate

Newton Running Biomechanical Sensor Plate

Our feet are sensitive and brilliantly designed to ensure that we step efficiently and protectively. Unfortunately, highly cushioned shoes often obstruct this communication with the ground. Enter our biomechanical sensor plate, which allows you to sense the ground better so you can stride more efficiently and with more stability – some might even say intelligently, the way nature intended. Some call this “neuromuscular” enhancement. The foot senses the ground and sends a message to the brain to tell the muscles what to do.

Lightweight Comfort

Newton shoes are designed to deliver functional performance with minimal weight and a natural feel. With numerous models to choose from you can select the optimal weight for your needs. 

There’s More:

• We don’t like friction or bacteria any more than you do, which is why we like Newton's ETC® antifriction and antibacterial technology built into the sockliner
• The outersoles and laces are built with recycled materials
• Newtons are designed with flex panels in the upper to allow your foot to flex and spread naturally and efficiently
• For such a lightweight trainer, these shoes also accommodate orthotics and insoles comfortably for those of you whom need that extra bit of support.

Cautious integration:

Newton Energy NR

While we love Newton running shoes we do recommend caution when first using these shoes. Their are a couple of key features which make these shoes quite unique which we have identified in this article, namely the low heel-to-toe drop and the forefoot lugs. This lower platform may cause increased loading to certain muscle groups which had not previously been present, particularly to calf muscles. For those of you whom have not tried lower profile shoes in the past it is advised to very gradually integrate the shows into your training program while also maintaining the use of your usual shoes. This helps the aforementioned muscle groups to adjust to this added work without becoming overloaded in the early stages. It is for this very purpose which Newton have added the Energy Nr model to their range. Less heel-to-toe drop (6mm) and less forefoot lug height make this shoe an ideal model to help you to transition into the Newton range of shoes. Available for both males and females in two colour options at Footpro.

Crossfit for Runners

CrossFit and Running

A review of CrossFit and how it can be of benefit to runners

Recent years have seen a massive upsurge in CrossFit gyms worldwide, and Melbourne is no exception. For those of you who haven't heard of CrossFit it is a type of training which involves strength and conditioning exercises which are constantly varied, high intensity and involve all fundamental functional movements. It's aim is to increase overall fitness through short anaerobic workouts involving movements such as sprinting, rowing, jumping rope, climbing rope, weightlifting, and carrying objects. CrossFit was created in California in the mid- 90's by former gymnast Greg Glassman and his wife Lauren. Glassman was commissioned to train police forces and firefighters and CrossFit emerged as the method of training. Today CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide. There are now approximately 3400 CrossFit gyms worldwide including around 20 in the Melbourne district. CrossFit training essentially consists of nine fundamental movements divided into 3 categories:

• 3 squats: air squat, front squat and overhead squat

• 3 presses: regular overhead shoulder press, push press (hip motion to bring weight up higher), and push jerk (legs and dropping under the weight to increase co-ordination)

• 3 deadlifts: regular deadlift, sumo deadlift high pull (pull up to chin level), and medicine ball clean (bring ball to shoulder level)

A combination of one from each category is used to develop the three-element Workout of the Day or “WOD”. Workouts may vary in length dependent on the target goal of the session. AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible) sessions as the name suggests consist of repetitions of a given set of exercises as many times as possible within a certain time limit.

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Runners have increasingly turned to CrossFit in an attempt to increase core strength and conditioning and provide variation to their training programs. According to Roberto Morales, CrossFit coach, "CrossFit is a good complement to running because it encourages the full range of functional movement, whereas running is only a partial range. A runner’s muscles get limited by repetition - and that is where injury comes into the picture". He is also of the opinion that, “Sure, runners have better fat utilization but an unvaried aerobic exercise leads to loss of muscle mass, so it’s not very healthy to only run". For runners, CrossFit training may help to resolve muscular imbalances, primarily lower limb, which conditions the body better to deal with the repetitive strain it is put under during running.

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While CrossFit training can be an excellent form of training, it is very important to perform all exercises correctly and efficiently. Improper technique in conjunction with poor feedback from trainers can lead to serious injuries such as muscle tears, ligament sprains and in more serious circumstances rhabdomyolysisis. Rhabdomyolysisis a medical condition that may arise when muscle tissue breaks down and the contents of muscle cells are released into the bloodstream. One molecule in particular, myoglobin, is toxic to the kidneys and can cause kidney failure and, in the most severe cases, death. In one particular case, Makimba Mimms from Virginia USA, successfully sued crossfit for $300,000 due to injuries suffered during a CrossFit session with an uncertified CrossFit trainer. Increasing amounts of literature are being published regarding CrossFit but as it is still in its early stages much of the evidence involving CrossFit is as of yet anecdotal. What we can ascertain is that their are obvious strength and conditioning benefits to CrossFit training when performed properly under expert supervision.

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As with any sport, having the correct gear is essential to maximising performance and comfort. For CrossFit, the right footwear can help minimise injury, aid technique and performance while also offering excellent comfort. Inov8 shoes have been the world leader in minimalist type footwear for years and their shoes are the most commonly chosen by CrossFit members. Hailing from the Lake District in the UK, Inov8 have an extensive range of trail and lightweight, low-drop shoes. CrossFit requires a shoe that is low to the ground, increasing proprioception and maintaining natural biomechanics as opposed to a high cushioned heel typical of most running shoes.-

The most frequently used Inov8 shoe for CrossFit has been the F-lite 195. Weighing in at a mere 195g, this shoe has a flexible mesh upper and a sticky rubber sole with an eva midsole with just a 3mm heel-to-toe drop. This makes it an ideal shoe for cross training while offering a little cushioning for running. The Inov8 Bare XF 210 is a CrossFit specific shoe which has no midsole making it a zero drop shoe ideal for lifting weights and circuit training. The upper provides medial and lateral protection against climbing ropes while the sticky sole offers great traction. If you feel these types of shoes are too hardcore or minimal for you, Inov8 also offer slightly more cushioned shoes with 6mm heel-to toe drop.

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The F-lite 215 and 240 are both lightweight training shoes which offer slightly more cushioning with a 6mm heel-to-toe drop. While Inov8 shoes have proven the most popular choice for CrossFit, they are not the only option available. Many shoe companies have identified the increasing market for minimalist or "barefoot" shoes and have dipped their toes in them to varied degrees of success. Vibram Five-Fingers have an extensive range of minimalist shoes with individual toe spaces providing excellent proprioception and balance ideal for CrossFit. New Balance have also had massive success with their minimalist range specifically the MT10 and MX20 which manage to be both comfortable and supportive while maintaining their status as minimal. They have just 4mm heel-to-toe drop and a very durable rubber sole made by Vibram which provides excellent grip for cross training as well as good level of cushion and support for running on trails and bitumen alike.

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To conclude our review, CrossFit can be an excellent form of training to accompany running. The improvements in strength and conditioning achieved in CrossFit helps runners to better deal with the stresses of repetitive loading involved with running. As CrossFit involves high levels of anaerobic training including lifting heavy weights, it is crucially important to practice good technique and receive proper feedback from trainers. All of this can be helped by having the proper gear to begin with and you could scarcely do better than Inov8 shoes. If you haven't tried it out and are keen to get going then why not look up your nearest CrossFit gym and give it a go! More information is available on our website and on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/FootproAUS, add us today for more discussion!

www.footpro.com.au 

info@footpro.com.au