Perks of FREE Personalized Sneaker Fitting: Bronxville Running Co

So, now that I'm a serious runner, or at least a more-serious runner, I felt it was time to toss my $30 Under Armour outlet specials (that have seen a lot of road miles anyways) and upgrade to something that's better for my personal style. So, off to the Bronxville Running Co, a small store in Bronxville, NY that cheers on the award winning local HS track teams, hosts runs on Wednesdays and Sundays, and offers a treadmill with a video camera.

Yes, a video camera.

So, Bobby, our intelligent and uber helpful knowledge extraordinaire, met us with a smile. First, he asked me what kind of running I do. Then I had to walk barefoot while he examined my gait. After telling me that I'm one of the weirdos (I don't pronate, like 70% of Americans, but I do do something else that sounded fancy but I don't recall the word for it) Then he measured my foot and told me I've been wearing the wrong size sneakers my whole life (You go up a size in personalized fitting world--so if you think you're a ten, you're prob a 10.5 like me, or even an 11). Then, he had me try on a pair of sneakers and hit the treadmill. Using high tech video cameras, he then showed me my gait on a screen above the treadmill. He said I have a great stride because I don't land on my heel and I don't pronate, so I'm going to be easy to fit for a sneaker.

So a note about pronating... This is when your ankles cave in under your lower leg. If you have ever had shin splints, you probably pronate. I've never had shin splints, and I'm extremely grateful for that feat. Now I know it's because of my bone structure in my foot and my gait. Yay!

So then he brought me 8 different pairs of sneakers. Each one I tried on, ran on the treadmill, and determined how it felt. After this, I was between a Nike pair and an Asics. I put on one shoe of each and the decision was easy--I went with the Asics gel Nimbus 13.

Brad saw how cool it was, and decided that he wanted in on the fun as well. Brad has a slight pronate for anyone who cares, so Bobby set him up with sneakers that would help correct that and alleviate some of the pain he was feeling in his lower shin. He calmly explained to Brad that even though the pain was more around the ankle, the location showed that it was a shin injury that's common for a slight pronator. Brad went through the same process and also ended up with Asics, but more structured ones.

So now I have the shoe that's perfect for me--light, comfy, and wonderful! I suggest going for your own fitting--it's free as part of the stellar service and you'll find something that helps you become the best athlete you can be. And talk to Bobby. He doesn't mess around!

(Picture c/o: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=bronxville+running+co&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=586&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=GWgoItJvT2ytSM:&imgrefurl=http://www.facebook.com/BronxvilleRunningCompany&docid=sI3eG33VVl1EHM&w=180&h=159&ei=biddTvPIEMeRgQf_sLyDAg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=439&vpy=138&dur=1503&hovh=127&hovw=144&tx=96&ty=106&page=1&tbnh=127&tbnw=144&start=0&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0)