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Newton Running History Meets technology
NW Fitness Magazine
Newton Running
History Meets technology
By Elizabeth Kovar M.A
Photos by April Greer
Model Rob Sax
History sometimes repeats itself. Sir Isaac Newton, creator of the three laws of motion, established Newton’s Third Law which states, “that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” This law inspired Co-Founders, Jerry Lee and Danny Abshire, to establish Newton Running. Abshire, dedicated to design better shoes and runners, and Lee, an avid runner who was impressed with Abshire’s design, decided to assist in financing the company. After years of research, product design and example testing the co-founders’ ideas and dreams became reality.
In 2007, Newton’s colorful, natural running shoe hit the market providing the innovative and patented “Action / Reaction TechnologyTM”. This Boulder, Colorado based organization is the first to design footwear that mimics barefoot running.
Humans have incorporated running for nearly two million years. In prehistoric times, humans integrated running to catch prey for food, which evolved the foot to land differently in the running
motion. The modern running shoe was invented in the 1970’s that supported arches, shock absorbance and comfort. Running shoes not only changed the sport of running, but a runner’s biomechanics.
Today, most running shoes are equipped with an EVA foam, gel or air pocket. Therefore, many shoes contain thick heels to provide comfort, which results in “heel- strike” running. Modern, or “shod”, running permits the foot to initially land on the heel and then roll to the ball of the foot and then the toes. Daniel Lieberman, Harvard’s “Barefoot” Professor, conducted research on barefoot running and explains that heel-striking is “similar to getting hit on the heel with a hammer two to three times a person’s body weight.” As the leg strikes with the heel, there is major deceleration, which results in a rapid force that moves up the limb to the knee and hip joint. As a result, this “reaction” results in more shock and “repetitive stress” injury.
Lieberman and his team of researchers studied running before the modern shoe. Three classifications were found with how a runner lands on the foot:heel striking (heels lands first then forefoot), midfoot striking (heel and ball of the foot land simultaneously) and forefoot striking (ball of the foot lands before heel “toe, heel, toe” running). His 2010 research states that habitual barefoot runners predominately use the forefoot striking on various terrains.
Newton’s visionary leaders recognized the science behind barefoot running to not only create a better shoe but a better runner. Novice and professional runners utilize Newton shoes to adapt to or better the natural running form. These revolutionary shoes allow the runners to achieve a barefoot-type running posture due its’ near-level platform and lack of a bulky midsole under the heel. Newton’s unique Action/Reaction Technology is an energy- return system that improves runners’ efficiency and protects feet from the impact of running on hard surfaces. This “energy-return technology” is red lugs located on the shoe’s sole underneath the metatarsals, or ball of the foot.
Having the right shoes is one of the first steps to optimal running. Newton reaches runners beyond providing cool looking shoes. “As much as it is a natural form running-shoe brand, Newton Running is a natural form running education brand, and therefore has invested significantly into its Natural form running education programs.” states Newton Running Spokesperson. Natural running clinics are held at specialty running stores nationwide. In 2012, Newton Running features over 200 clinics with a schedule of events available online at, www.newtonrunning.com
Newton Natural RunningTM educates runners on the “Land-Lever-Lift” form. This style of running trains individuals to run in “three parts”. First, land lightly on the midfoot/forefoot (engaging the shock-absorbent lugs into ground), and allow the heel to settle into the ground. Second, as the foot levers forward the lugs stretch the membrane underneath which stores the energy. Third, simply lift the foot off the ground and the mid-sole chambers burst energy into forward propulsion. Therefore, the shoe creates energy and power rather than
Having the right shoes is one of the first steps to optimal running.
utilizing excessive muscular power.
Newton teaches runners about finding “their sweet spot”. As walkers land on the heel, and sprinters land on the toes, the “sweet spot” is somewhere in between. With the land-lever- lift, there is great mind-body connection to find the torso in level with the landing foot strike. As the technology is centered over the forefoot, if landing here the runner feels the lever and forward propulsion. With heel striking, the strideislonger,doesnotcontainaconnection between the torso and the landing strike, and the foot lands too far in front of a person’s center of gravity.
Lieberman and several colleagues published, Foot Striking and Injury Rates in Endurance Runners, in the 2012 Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine. The study concluded that, “…of the 52 runners studied, 36 (59%) primarily used a rearfoot strike and 16 (31%) primarily used a forefoot strike. Approximately 74% of runners experienced a moderate or severe injury each year, but those who habitually rearfoot strike had approximately twice the rate of repetitive stress injuries than individuals who habitually forefoot strike.”
Proper running form and appropriate running shoes are essential to injury prevention. Newton Running shoes provide up to 60% more cushioning and 40% more energy return than the leading brand shoe. The switch over from
traditional running shoes to Newton’s is simple thanks to the sophisticated design. Newton’s Spokesperson states, “All our models have a low ramp angle (gradient) from heel to toe which makes it easy to transition from a shoe with an elevated heel.” In essence, the low ramp angle situates the body into a more proper natural running posture to enhance the ease of striking midfoot instead of heel.
In addition to shoes and education, Newton Running is socially responsible. Newton Running sponsors, partners or volunteers with non-profits and charities to support national and international causes. Plus, Newton Shoes contain environmentally friendly features. This includes, but is not limited to, 100% recycled webbing and shoe laces, 100% post consumer recycled material shoebox and incorporates at least 10% recycled outersole rubber.
Newton also supports and sponsors athletes. In 2007, Newton Running signed 10 professional tri-athletes including the famous Craig Alexander and the near 14 years old, Winter Vinecki. Newton also sponsors Team Alchemy who are local Colorado, elite-competitive runners who run for the love of the sport.
Newton is an innovative organization that is dedicated to enhance the sport of running. Known for outstanding customer service, this organization is changing lives and improving the world that we run in.
Elizabeth Kovar M.A., Seattle resident, is the fitness coordinator at the Lynnwood Recreation Center. Elizabeth is a freelance fitness and travel writer, in addition to a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. She has also studied and worked within the fitness and sport industry within India and Australia. Please send questions and comments to erkovar@nwfitnessmag.com
NEWTON RUNNING
NEWTON RUNNING’S
DISTANCE
LIGHT WEIGHT NEUTRAL TRAINER
Price 155.00 7.8 ounces
Talk about running on a cloud! At first I was caught by the color (naturally) and when I put it on, I felt almost no added weight. The shoe conformed very easily to my foot adding to its comfy fit. My first steps felt like that of an infant as I was trying to get used to the protruding blocks under the forefoot. When walking, the blocks merely feel like you have half a lego under your foot. Once you begin to run, it’s a whole different story! (by the way, the lego feeling goes away) This is a forefoot runner’s pre-Christmas stocking stuffer! What a great new
toy to add to your weekly outdoor treks across level pavement or terrain of your choice. It probably wouldn’t hold up too well on Northwest trails. I would suggest Newton’s Momentum trainer for those of you into trail running. However, the forefoot design does what it was meant to do and almost eliminates the heel strike entirely! The underfoot cushion is just enough to keep you from stomping, but thin enough to push you forward on your stride. This is a great shoe for long distance or just a casual running shoe. Prepare for comments on its radiant color!
NEW
PRODUCT REVIEW by Rob Sax
NWFITNESS 30
NEWTON RUNNING’2S
MV
RACING FLAT
Price 125.00 5.8 ounces
Newton running says this shoe inspires speed and that’s exactly what it does. For the runners who like your shoe to fit snug, let me introduce you to the MV2. Light and very fast, this shoe will take you to a whole new level of running. It could be the feeling of having a shoe that is pseudo sucked onto your foot, or the pointed toe that made my stride cadence feel a little faster. Either way, the runs felt fast! I took these for a spin on a few 400m intervals and they performed very well! The MV2 also incorporates Newton’s forefoot strik- ing technology, which I love! For those new to Newton products I would suggest not taking this on multiple miles just yet. Like driving supercar it takes some time to adjust and get a feel for the raw speed.
For more information about Newton Running please visit
www.newtonrunning.com
Because it is important your Newton Running shoe fits properly we recommend you go to your local running shoe store to
find the right pair for you.