A recent (note: 2011) article in Runner’s World magazine spurred me to write this guide to changing exercise technique. In brief it looked at some of the recent debate over running form (along with the shoe issue). Predominantly it was looking at the issue of heel vs. midfoot vs. forefoot strike and whether or not there is some “ideal” running style or technique. This led into a discussion of whether or not runners should attempt to change their runnign technique.
Unfortunately, in the absence of much real data on optimal running technique or what have you (and anecdote is not data no matter how much people try to make it so), their only real answer to the question of “Should runners change technique?” was “It depends.” At least they were honest and that’s certainly an answer I can get behind.
Changing Exercise Technique
Now I have no intention of addressing the running technique debate per se here, rather I want to talk more generally since the issue of technique, learning technique, optimal technique and changing technique comes up quite a bit in the training world.… Keep Reading