Скачать или смотреть Heel Strike vs Forefoot Strike: Does it matter?

Heel Strike vs Forefoot Strike: Which One Should You Use?

Spoiler: There’s no “perfect” way to land.

But knowing how you land helps you train the right tissues so you can run stronger, longer, and pain-free.

👣 If you are a Heel Striker…

You load more through your knee + hip, meaning your hip stabilizers (such as your glutes) and quads do more of the shock absorption.

Great for some runners — but only if those tissues can handle the repeated impact.

👣 If You are a Forefoot Striker…

You load more through your ankle + calf complex, especially your gastrocnemius / soleus.

Your lower leg becomes your primary shock absorber. Amazing when trained, but brutal when under-prepared.

👣 Barefoot vs Shoes

Most people naturally shift toward a forefoot strike when barefoot — your muscles absorb load better than slamming your heel bone into the ground.

But with today’s highly cushioned shoes, runners can choose whatever pattern feels best.

🏋️‍♂️ What actually matters most is not how you land but how prepared your body is to tolerate the load of YOUR landing style.

As a sports PT, I focus on helping runners build the mobility, strength, coordination, and shock-absorbing capacity needed for the way you run — so your form works for you, not against you.