I have been asked a few times what I think of the Newton trainers I have been using towards the end of this season with some good results. I thought this posting may help people as it’s effectively a review of them!
I have recently been getting back into running (well running is the thing I have always struggled with, my cycling being pretty good but have to improve and do the mileage running for Ironman this year..). The reason I don’t like to run is that I find my calves have in the past got very tight and sore after any run but especially harder/quicker runs, and also suffered from shin splints early last year. I have always used Asics in the past (I have 9 pairs of different sorts, started with the 2110 and 1100 for training and also 2 pairs of Kayanos, 3 apirs of DS trainers and a pair of the triathlon ones). The Kayanos seemed OK for training but was looking for a flatter shoe for racing as I have been trying to run more “forefoot” style the last year or so to get away from heel striking (especially useful to be more efficient at end of triathlons).
So last year I tried the DS trainers which are flatter, 3 pairs of those later still have sore legs after any significant runs.So when I came across the Newtons a few months ago was very interested particularly because they are aimed at people trying to run more mid-fore foot and designed that way (all the Asics and other big brands seem too built up in the heel, Adidas are the other trainers I have used in the past).
It was quite a revelation trying the Newtons, the natural way to run in them is forefoot/mid foot, and with the springy design in the forefoot do actually feel quicker (sure it must be cheating but seems to be allowed!). But most importantly after a couple of sessions I was running my quickest ever and not trying any harder, in fact my heart rates were lower so presumably running more efficiently, and although my calves still get tight they are nowhere near as bad as they used to be. I have been running in the Newtons the last couple of months (with a lot of PBs running and convinced they won me the last triathlon I entered, after not a lot of running training went from 38 minute 10k sort of splits to under 36minute pace, obviously can’t all be the shoes but still…).
Last week I went back to my Asics Gel Kayanos to step up the mileage for winter training (they suggest alternating normal trainers and the Newtons) but they seem really slow and now have tight calfs and a niggling knee problem after a couple of slow-ish runs! The 2XU Compression tights and socks help with recovery from the tight calfs but now certainly feel the extra impact running in my old trainers going back to them). So I think my Asics trainers are now pretty much redundant and will be buying another pair of the Newton Gravity trainers! Shame since I recently bought a new pair of Kayanos which I raced Nice Ironman (although the run was certainly no race…) and a new pair of DS Trainers I can’t seem them being used! I can’t wait to do a full season in the Newtons next year.
[In response to question about if you don’t have a “perfect running style” would they still be good]. I certainly don’t have a perfect running style (and am sure I still don’t) but in my experience if you are at least trying to run “properly” (less heel strike) these will help you position your body correctly. The Asics trainers seem to make my body lean backwards and take a heel strike naturally whereas the Newtons seem to make me lean forwards more naturally so running forefoot is the natural thing to do.
There is fairly limited supply of Newtons at the moment to the UK but they are finding their way into some of the major stores. I bought mine online at Athlete Service and there is some useful information on Newton shoe sizing and fit and some interesting videos on running style up there too.
Hope that is useful for those interested!
