BBC Science Reporter Victoria Gill’s article is linked to below:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8483401.stm

It describes research that came to the obvious conclusion that if you give a human the chance to take the path of least resistance they will take it, even if the consequences are a down turn in long term efficiency. Well thats my interpretation, but to be true to the article here is the opening paragraph:

Wearing cushioned running shoes may have changed the way in which many of us run, new research suggests.

Using slow-motion footage, scientists have discovered that experienced barefoot runners land very differently from runners who wear shoes.

The researchers showed that runners who have trained barefoot tend to strike the ground with their forefoot or mid-foot, rather than their heel.

At Balance we often talk about taking a long term perspective and discourage our clients from looking for the short term quick fix  (whether to be pain free without concern for recurrence, getting fit, getting strong, losing weight, making money etc) but as with all aspects of life its a lot more complicated when you think it through. So once you have read this article dont throw your trainers in the bin and hit Battersea Park for a barefoot 10k using the pose running technique – at least not straight away. There are several more possibilities avaialable to you.

Have a read and if you’d like to share your opinion or ask ours  get in contact with one of the team Paula (author of Running Repairs ), Mick Habgood (podiatrist and running orthotic specialist), Raph (an experienced physio in international athletics and many a “minimal shoe” runner), Frances (triathlon specialist and G-trainer expert) or Sian (currently researching MBT footwear at clinics across London). You can also contact Jonathan (the blog writer) who will happily discuss evolution, sociology, the weakening of human kind and how to prevent it! Send an email by clicking this highlighted link: Contact Page

Mick and Paula will be adding their comments here soon.

The G-trainer challenges everyone in different ways, whether:

• elite Olympic runner (3 of the Worlds Best Runners have run on our treadmill),
• professional sports men (2 of the UKs best Rugby Clubs use Balance’s G-trainer week in week out)
• top or recreational IronMan and Woman triathletes (including Pro-VO2 tri club athletes and Pro Tristan Shipsides)
• or the 100’s of multisports enthusiasts with injuries who have rehabilitated from sports injuries using the G-trainer at our SW4 facility.

In the World Record Club the idea is to run a mile as fast as possible at either 75% or 85% of your bodyweight – members also get 50% off and a half hour run only costs £12.50.

For many the thing preventing faster running speed is aerobic/anearobic ability (lungs exploding, nausea rising) but not everyone…this is how Cj described his attempt to run faster and beat his personal best over the mile on the G-trainer treadmill running at 85% of his bodyweight:

“I didn’t find this attempt cardio-vascularly challenging as you will see from the video clip. It felt more neurological. Being able to turn over my legs at that speed, sustaining that cadence for that length of time was not easy. I could feel the impulses dampening, at times it felt as if I was tripping over my feet.

One thing is for certain, 4 minute miles is a serious pace, I have a new found respect for Roger Bannister who did it at 100% of his body weight. It highlighted to me that up to a certain point, running is more about skill then fitness. Economy and efficiency of movement. But more about this in part 2 of this post, as I, Cj, turn Chi / pose runner.”

To read the full blog click the link…

http://cjs-fitness.blogspot.com/2009/12/4-minute-mile-g-trainer-challenge-part.html

See the video footage (excuse the camerman he’s an amateur!!):

Saturday 19th December – 10am til 1pm

The World Record Club is looking for members to run their fastest miles on the G-trainer treadmill.

There are several categories to challenge yourself within:

• Mens 85% bodyweight
• Womens 85% bodyweight
• Mens 75% bodyweight
• Womens 85%
• plus Mens and Womens Masters Categories

If you havent run on this revolutionary piece of technology you can have a try out for free with us on Saturday and then if you are up for it take the challenge.

Its very simple…zip in, we’ll start it up, you run…fast…you say faster (you can say slower too of course!!)

• Discounts for G-trainer running sessions of 50% which means£12.50 for 30 minutes or £17.50 for 60 minutes

Apart from being healthy competition the benefits to running speed and overall performance are significant.

Thats why Manchester United bought one in the same week that Balance did.

Saturday 21st November – 10am and 2pm

The World Record Club is looking for members to run their fastest miles on the G-trainer treadmill.

There are several categories to challenge yourself within:

• Mens 85% bodyweight
• Womens 85% bodyweight
• Mens 75% bodyweight
• Womens 85%
• plus Mens and Womens Masters Categories

If you havent run on this revolutionary piece of technology you can have a try out for free with us on Saturday and then if you are up for it take the challenge.

Its very simple…zip in, we’ll start it up, you run…fast…you say faster (you can say slower too of course!!)

• Discounts for G-trainer running sessions of 50% which means £12.50 for 30 minutes or £17.50 for 60 minutes

Apart from being healthy competition the benefits to running speed and overall performance are significant.

Thats why Manchester United bought one in the same week that Balance did.

The last post on our Twitter page BalancePhysio

http://bit.ly/2mpXSH via @addthis – Great photo of 5th Ave Mile in NYC winners – mile specialists Rowbury and Baddeley -both G-trainer users.

Shannon Rowbury with Jon after her G-trainer session

Shannon Rowbury uses the Alter-G treadmill regularly in San Franciso, during the summer she has based herself in London. She only discovered Balance shortly before she returned to the US. We look forward to seeing her again next season.

To keep up to date with Shannon’s schedule, read her blog, view her race videos go to www.shannonrowbury.com

This a video I found on the Running Competitor website posted by a company promoting the G-trainer for weight loss and elite running performance. Forze like to say “Get Lean, Run Faster!”. Well produced piece of video and a nice explanation of how the G-trainer treadmill works.

Enjoy…

Climb in to the G-trainer Pro treadmill at Balance and discover gravity assisted speed- Sat August 8th 2009.

Climb in and experience why the G-trainer provides the ultimate Speed interval training session

WORLD RECORD CLUB
Gravity Assisted Speed

Presents:

Summer Speed Taster Session
* Experience NASA engineered technology
* Enhance leg speed through over-speed running
* Gain that extra edge this summer season
* Rehabilitate faster- run with reduced bodyweight

Saturday 8th August 10.00am at Balance Performance Physiotherapy,
113 Gauden Rd, London, SW4 6LE.

Entry £5.

To register interest and for more info please email:

frances @ balancephysio.com

Full registration for the G-Trainer Speed World Record Club and details regarding the forthcoming World Record Club Championships will be available on the day.

Contact Frances on 020 7627 2308 about the World Record Club and the 1 mile challenge. Only £5 but you need to book.

This Sunday (12th July 2009) Frances (multisports injury specialist) has organised 3 teams from Balance to compete in the “Bananaman” triathlon at Dorney Lake, Eton. Best of luck to them.

Balance has entered 3 teams to compete in the triathlon

I can’t speak for everyone’s level of commitment but I have seen a fair few of the team members giving it some at various times over the last 6 weeks. Either heading out the door for long runs. Using the G-trainer for quality running sessions of overspeed training and speed/strength intervals.

TEAMS:
1. Counter-BALANCE: Sian (physio) – Warwick (Cyclefit Ringer)- Mick (podiatrist)
2. Im-BALANCE: Rene (sports masseur) – Jacqui (physiotherapist) – Graham (physio and director)
3. Perfect-BALANCE: Fran (physio) -Paula (physio) -Kellie (sports masseur)

Good luck to them all.

Despite the tube strike the planned lecture as part of Balance’s CPD Evening Lecture series organised by Raph Rinaldi will continue:

Pat testing a client at his London facility

Dr Simon Shepard, Team Physiotherapist of CCC Middlesex and CEO of Optima Life will present his research and clinical experience on different methods of monitoring recovery patterns according to various level of activity. This could turn particularly helpful to physiotherapists, for example, when it’s time to increase rehabilitation workload and /or add specific sessions to pre-existing training programmes.

Pat Leahy, Owner, founder and high performance coach of ProVo2 will also present his own toughts on how to design an effective training programme aimed at maintaining aerobic fitness in injured athletes, or to improve aerobic capacity in most sport disciplines or to optimise own metabolism by adopting clever forms of exercise. This will break many myths related to aerobic exercise and provide a practical guidance when it comes to advise our clients in a practical and effective manner. A practical demonstration of metabolic testing will follow by carrying out a VO2max analysis on site. Any volunteers obviously welcome.

Raph says: “As all of you are aware of the tube strike kicking of tonight I would like to confirm that our Lecture will take place regularly. I remind you that you can use your oyster card to travel by train to Clapham Junction or Clapham High Street; there is also a taxi share options so you can organise yourself. I’ve got few places in my car as am driving Simon Shepard home in North London after the lecture. Hope it helps. Raph”

It can be a roller coaster of an experience to go through the process of rehabilitation following injury or surgery (or both).  Danny is a client at Balance and he  has actually set up his own blog detailing his particular journey.