Good Form

posture

Proper posture is the critical first step toward improved running form – one that sets the stage for more-efficient movement. By keeping your upper body aligned, steady and relaxed, energy is conserved and refocused to where you need it in the lower half. Keeping your head upright and your gaze forward will, in combination with the proper lean, help to propel your body forward.

NEXT midfoot

How to Find It: Posture

  • 1
    Stand with knees slightly bent.

    Stand with knees slightly bent.

  • 2

    Reach your arms toward the sky, elongating your body.

  • 3
    Bring your arms down while keeping everything else in place.

    Bring your arms down while keeping everything else in place.

  • 4

    As you run, keep your head up and gaze forward.
    Your arms should swing easily from the shoulders with elbows at about 90 degrees.

17 Comments
March 2nd 2011 at 11:39 PM EST

My husband & I just went to a Good Form Running talk tonight at Fleet Fleet in Altamonte Springs, FL. We thoroughly enjoyed it! Grant was very easy to understand & very informative.

Thanks so much! We would recommend this to anyone interested in running.

 
March 22nd 2011 at 11:11 AM EST

Concentrate on core as well.

 
April 5th 2011 at 1:35 AM EST

i am a neutral what starting running shoes should i purchase to start my running.

 
May 2nd 2011 at 9:15 PM EST

I roll my foot out while I walk. What shoe is the best for this foot condition

 
Maureen Demer   NewBalance.com Staff
June 3rd 2011 at 2:56 PM EST

Thanks for the feedback and comments on this article.

If you are looking for specific shoe recommendations it would be best to contact our Customer Service team directly as they are standing by ready to help. There are a lot of things to consider when you are purchasing a running shoe so the team can help guide you with some suggestions and direct you to a local New Balance store where you can try them on as the most important metric is fit.

Please reach out to us at customerhelp@newbalance.com or by phone at 800-253-7463.

We look forward to hearing from you!
Maureen

 
July 2nd 2011 at 9:06 PM EST

I find posture and lean to go hand in hand. I can feel myself slip out of posture just by how effortless my \\\"fall\\\" is and when I fix it (usually my hips are slightly back, I shift them forward) the fall becomes more pronounced and my cadence increases.

 
August 1st 2011 at 8:06 PM EST

Ugh, could you possibly have a *worse* video play experience. Thing buffers forever, then starts playing before it has enough buffered, and then you can't go back to the beginning to watch it without skipping.

 
August 10th 2011 at 4:01 PM EST

I hate these shoes. They kill my knees and my ankles. I\\\'m going to switch back to my old New Balances ASAP.

 
Maureen Demer   NewBalance.com Staff
August 10th 2011 at 4:48 PM EST

Thanks for the continuous feedback and comments on this article;

@PeeDub - We are sorry you are having trouble with the video player. What internet browser are you using? It might help us troubleshoot a bit if we can get some further information.

@jr333 - I'm sorry to hear you are having trouble and the shoes are causing discomfort. If you can reach out to us directly we would be happy to set you up with a return/replacement. We can be reached at customerhelp@newbalance.com or 800-253-7463. We hope to hear from you!

 
August 10th 2011 at 5:06 PM EST

@jr333: chances are your knees hurt because you are running heel/toe like you would in pillowy running shoes. If you modify and run on your midfoot or ball of the foot the calves will absorb most o the shock, be sore for a while and adapt.

 
August 23rd 2011 at 2:19 PM EST

Video is great and plays just fine for me! Thanks for publishing this useful information. I know I have a lot of work to do to achieve this new \"good form,\" but I\'m looking forward to the journey!

 
August 23rd 2011 at 2:19 PM EST

Video is great and plays just fine for me! Thanks for publishing this useful information. I know I have a lot of work to do to achieve this new \\\"good form,\\\" but I\\\'m looking forward to the journey!

 
September 17th 2011 at 5:35 PM EST

Is there really a shoe that will help prevent knee /or joint issues and Foot /heel issues? I think I have tried every kind of shoe known to running some are too chunky, too cushy, not cushy enough, not too supportive, or overly supportive... ?

 
January 8th 2012 at 6:14 PM EST

How does this differ from Chi running?

 
January 17th 2012 at 1:52 AM EST

Harder than it seem. shoes help but I have to work hard to consciously change my posture and pace especially since I change from running middle distance to long distance.

 
March 2nd 2012 at 5:44 AM EST

I bought my pair of NB MT570RB model yesterday I was looking for runing shoes two days ago. I like it. and now I think I am ready for the game...because I have to run on 14 th march 2012...Can some one tell me if the sneaker mentioned model are advisable? And how much it's weigh?

 
April 20th 2012 at 2:11 PM EST

Hi there,

Wouldn\'t it make sense to incorporate a video-analysis system with the Good Form Running project? We have helped many major companies integrate customized video analysis solution into their fitting process:
http://www.contemplas.com/motion_analysis_software_oem.aspx

Plus, we are a Boston company and your new company store just opened up on the first floor of our building!

Thanks,

Bennet
zFlo, Inc.
581 Boylston St.
Suite 801
Boston, MA 02116

 
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Related Links

Shoes

Good Form Running can be achieved in any footwear, but a shoe that encourages a more neutral foot position will be helpful for many runners – particularly those embracing a midfoot strike for the first time.

New Balance recommends:
WT101
Women's WT101 | Learn More
MT101
Men's MT101 | Learn More
NB Minimus Men's Road
Men's MR10 | Learn More
NB Minimus Women's Road
Women's WR10 | Learn More
NB Minimus Men's Trail
Men's MT10 | Learn More
NB Minimus Women's Trail
Women's WT10 | Learn More
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