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Practice Gait Analysis

    I was in Hoboken last night by the water and was happy to see how many people were outside exercising and enjoying the nice summer weather. I love to sit and people watch. It is just habit for me at this point to analyze peoples gait patterns as they walk past me. Some of the things I was were surprising to me.  I was amazed to see all the different types of running form people had. Some people looked like they had never ran in their life while others looked like seasoned marathon runners.
  I thought it would be a great idea for young fitness professional to use a park were people run as a practice tool. As the people ran by I tried to guess what pain issue they would have by the way they ran. I also looked at what pain issue they most likely currently have. In my head I began to develop a program for each person that ran by. Some people looked like they needed more core stability training while others needed basic strength training to correct form. The key is to go out and practice your skills at gait analysis.  It is not enough to do it once in a while at the gym or in a controlled environment. Being able to do things like this is what will separate you from the other trainers at your gym. Bring a pen and pad to the park if you have to, nobody will know what you're doing, just don't stare at anyone to long because they might think you're a creeper.
   Its funny how these types of things have become automatic for me to do and while I sat there I wondered when it all switched in my head. I use to be able to sit and not think of this stuff at all. Now I can't go out without thinking how I can help someone's mechanics or how I can turn anything I see into an exercise. I guess this is the difference between something being a passion or a job (or I'm just crazy).

-FLO

Comments

  1. ProGait | Gait Analysis ManchesterJuly 13, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    You're not alone FLO! I find it very interesting to watch how people run and walk and you're right about all the different types of running form that people have. It's quite amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. FLOJuly 13, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    Thanks, feels good to know we are not the only ones

    ReplyDelete

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