What Are Brooks Levitate Good For?

What Are Brooks Levitate Good For?

Brooks Levitate is a popular shoe and currently, it is in the fifth generation. Although a weel-built shoe, I frequently hear ‘what are Brooks Levitate good for?’. In this post, we have picked up all such questions and tried to answer them once and for all.

Brooks Levitate is good for road running, walking, treadmill and rowing. It is also suitable for short-distance running. However, for any other types of exercises, Brooks Levitate is not suitable. Also, it is not suitable for long-distance running.

What Are Brooks Levitate Good For

Are Brooks Levitate Good Running Shoes

Are Brooks Levitate good running shoes?

Brooks Levitate is good running shoes for shorter distances. They are not good for long distances due to the stiff midsole.

Brooks Levitate belongs to the ‘Energize’ category of running shoes from Brooks. These shoes have an additional TPU encasing around the midsole cushioning.

This kind of cushioning is called DNA AMP by Brooks. These kinds of midsoles are stiffer than the usual midsoles and provide you with a high energy return.

This is the reason, these shoes are good for shorter and explosive runs, however, they are not good for long-distance running.

Are Brooks Levitate good for plantar fasciitis?

Brooks Levitate is good for plantar fasciitis. It will provide optimum support to the feet and will not cause any inflammation that may turn into plantar fasciitis. Also, it will not aggravate any existing plantar fasciitis condition.  Brooks Levitate is a good shoe. As mentioned above, the midsole of this shoe is stiff. This makes it very responsive, however, the bendability of this shoe is less. As a result, it will not add any extra stretch to your foot which may put an additional load on your plantar fascia tissue. This will not cause your plantar fascia to get inflamed and turn into plantar fasciitis. Also, due to the same reason, if you have plantar fasciitis, you will not end up with an aggravated condition.

Are Brooks Levitate good for flat feet?

Brooks Levitate is not good for flat feet. The arch support height of Brooks Levitate is medium to high. For flat feet, this arch support is very high and can cause pain to the arch and the foot. A foot arch for a flat-footed person is non-existent. That is why any running shoe with lower arch support may work for them. However, if you try to wear a running shoe that has higher arch support and you yourself have a low arch, then it will force your feet to arch more than it is normally used to. This will cause unnecessary strain on the foot and you will end up with pain in your feet. This is a similar situation that you have to face if you have a lower foot arch. For such kind of foot also, the arch height of Brooks Levitate is more and may cause pain in the foot.

Are Brooks Levitate good for high arches?

Brooks Levitate is good for high arches. The arch height of Brooks Levitate is good for medium to high arches. This arch height is optimal for high arches and will not cause pain and discomfort in the arch area. The arch height of Brooks Levitate is meant for runners with medium to high arches. This kind of arch height provides good amount of arch support for runners with higher arch heights. This will help you to run with optimal arch support and will not cause you any kind of ache in the arch area.

Are Brooks Levitate good for walking?

Brooks Levitate is good for walking as it provides you with a well-cushioned platform, good arch support, and a smooth and comfortable in-shoe experience. Any shoe that is good for running is also good for walking. They provide proper forefoot and heel support and help you to propel forward. Also, it has a slight heel-to-toe offset which is around 8mm. This helps with the steps and pushes you forward.

Are Brooks Levitate good for overpronation?

Brooks Levitate is not good for overpronation as it is a neutral running shoe. It doesn’t have the required stability for runners who needs additional support.

Brooks Levitate is a neutral running shoe. This is the reason it is good for runners with neutral or mild underpronation.

However, if you have overpronation, this running shoe will not be able to provide much support.

If you want to use something like Brooks Levitate and need additional support, go for Brooks Levitate GTS. This will provide you with a similar feel to Brooks Levitate but also has the Holistic Guiderail System to provide support for overpronation.

Are Brooks Levitate Good For Women

Are Brooks Levitate good for a woman?

Brooks Levitate is good for a woman as it has the women’s version. The women’s version of Brooks Levitate is made according to the anatomy of a female foot, which makes it ideal for the foot of a woman.

Although some of the models from Brooks Levitate come as unisex models, Brooks Levitate is not one of them.

It has a version available for women and is good for women’s feet. Being targeted for women’s feet, it is specifically designed for the foot of a woman.

Are Brooks Levitate good for a man?

Brooks Levitate is good for a man because it has a specific version for a man. This means Brooks Levitate men’s version is specifically designed based on the anatomy of a man’s foot. Brooks Levitate like many other models from Brooks has a men’s version. This means the shoe will fit a men’s foot perfectly based on their anatomy. Also, being so comfortable it will provide you with a pleasurable running experience.

Are Brooks Levitate good for beginners?

Brooks Levitate is not good for beginners as the midsole is less forgiving. Beginners need more cushioning as they are not used to running. Brooks Levitate cannot provide them with that and is not suitable for them. As mentioned above, the midsole of Brooks Levitate is responsive and provides you good energy return. Since the sole is stiff, it is less forgiving. However, a beginner needs a lot more cushioning as they are starting out and don’t have the correct form. They need cushioning that is more forgiving and which will not give such feedback that it may discourage you from running. In such a case Brooks Ghost is a much better choice for beginners than Brooks Levitate.

Are Brooks Levitate good for back pain?

Brooks Levitate is good for back pain and will not aggravate the existing issues. They provide good shock absorption and will not let it travel to your back. Also, the higher energy return will help to propel forward more easily. The midsole of Brooks Levitate is made from DNA AMP. This material is not only responsive but is also great for shock absorption. This is why you will not face back pain or your existing issues will not be worsened.

Are Brooks Levitate Good For Bike or cycling

Are Brooks Levitate good for bike or cycling?

Brooks Levitate is good for casual biking or cycling. However, it is not good for competitive biking or cycling, or spin sessions.

Biking or cycling shoes are made differently than running shoes. Some of them have extra fixtures so that they can grasp onto the paddle of the cycle and not slip.

Such mechanisms are not present in Brooks Levitate as the purpose of this shoe is completely different.

This is a running shoe, so although you can use it for casual cycling or biking, you cannot use it for competitive bike races.

Are Brooks Levitate good for badminton?

Brooks Levitate is not good for badminton as it lacks lateral support which is required for badminton. Also, badminton requires zero drop shoes whereas Brooks Levitate comes with an 8mm heel-to-toe drop. In Badminton, a player has to move in all sorts of directions. However, Brooks Levitate being a running shoe can only provide support in the forward direction. It lacks support severely in the lateral directions. Also, the drop of Brooks Levitate is not ideal for sports like badminton. This is why it is not a good shoe for badminton.

Are Brooks Levitate good for cardio?

Brooks Levitate is good for cardio like running, rowing, treadmill running, or walking. However, it is not good for other forms of cardio like cycling, or any other forms. Brooks Levitate is a running shoe and technically this makes it a good shoe for cardio. However, running is not the only form of cardio that we have. In some of the other forms of cardio like rowing, treadmill running, or walking, this running shoe is good. However, if you are going for something else like cycling or anything that includes lateral movements, then this is not a good shoe for those activities.

Are Brooks Levitate Good For CrossFit

Are Brooks Levitate good for CrossFit?

Brooks Levitate is not good for CrossFit. It does not have much lateral support which is essential for CrossFit.

As we saw in the case of badminton, CrossFit also has multi-directional movements. However, due to a lack of lateral support, Brooks Levitate is not capable of handling such movements.

However, if you want to use it, you can…but you will not be able to get that supportive feeling. Also, the shoe may get damaged faster due to this added stress.

Another thing is, that it is better to use low drop or zero drop shoes for CrossFit. However, Brooks Levitate has a significant drop which is also not suitable for things like CrossFit.

Are Brooks Levitate good for climbing?

Brooks Levitate is not good for climbing as doesn’t have the inherent concave outsole that is present in climbing shoes. Also, the flexibility of Brooks Levitate is very less compared to a climbing shoe. Brooks Levitate is not fit to be a climbing shoe. It is very stiff compared to climbing shoes. This flexibility is one of the hallmarks of climbing shoes. However, since that is missing, this makes it unsuitable for climbing. Also, the outsole of a climbing shoe is concave whereas that of Brooks Levitate is flat. This is also an unsuitable feature for climbing.

Are Brooks Levitate Good For Dancing

Are Brooks Levitate good for dancing?

Brooks Levitate is not good for dancing as it lacks lateral support. Also, the sole of Brooks Levitate is not flexible making it unsuitable for dancing.

Brooks Levitate is a running shoe at its core. It can be used for different activities like walking, jogging, etc, however, it is not suitable for dancing.

Dancing requires a shoe that is a bit agile and has multidirectional support. However, Brooks Levitate is stiff and has only forward support.

Are Brooks Levitate good for deadlifts?

Brooks Levitate is not good for deadlifts. Deadlift shoes are zero-drop and are very flat. Brooks Levitate has a significant heel-to-toe drop that makes it unsuitable for deadlifts. Deadlift shoes have a flat outsole. This provides them with added stability while lifting. However, Brooks Levitate has a heel-to-toe drop of 8mm. This is why it is not suitable for deadlifts.

Are Brooks Levitate good for exercise?

Brooks Levitate is good for certain types of exercises, however, it is not suitable for all of them. It is good for running, rowing, treadmill, and walking. It is not good for other forms of exercise. Like with any other shoe, Brooks Levitate is good for certain types of exercises whereas for the others they are not good. Anything that is related to running, rowing, or something similar, Brooks Levitate will shine. For others, it will not.

Are Brooks Levitate Good For Golf

Are Brooks Levitate good for golf?

Brooks Levitate is not good for golf as it doesn’t have the spikes that are required in a golf shoe. As such, Brooks Levitate will not be able to provide proper alignment and stability while golfing.

Golf shoes have built-in spikes. This helps them to stay grounded, and have proper alignment while swinging the club.

Also, these shoes don’t have a heel-to-toe offset.

Brooks Levitate doesn’t have built-in spikes which are essential for golfers. Also, it has a good amount of heel-to-toe offset.

These are the reasons why Brooks Levitate is not good for golf.

Are Brooks Levitate good for the gym?

Brooks Levitate is not good for the gym as it has a heel-to-toe offset whereas gym shoes should be as flat as possible. Also, Brooks Levitate doesn’t have lateral support which is also required in the gym. Brooks Levitate being a running shoe has all the things that are required for running. However, it is ill-equipped for the things that are required in the gym. It lacks lateral support and has a heel-to-toe offset which is unsuitable for the gym.

Is Brooks Levitate a stability shoe?

Brooks Levitate is a neutral running shoe. However, it has a stability shoe version which is called Brooks Levitate GTS. Brooks Levitate is a neutral running shoe. It is suitable for runners with neutral or underpronation. However, it will not provide adequate stability for runners with overpronation. If you are a runner with overpronation, and want to have the same experience as Brooks Levitate, then go for Brooks Levitate GTS. This is the same Brooks Levitate with Holistic Guiderails.

Do Brooks Levitate run small?

Brooks Levitate runs true to size. However, it may be a slight issue if it is used for in-between feet sizes. In such cases using a bigger Brooks Levitate size will solve the problem. Like most of the shoes from Brooks, Brooks Levitate also runs true to size. However, one caveat to this is, Brooks Levitate doesn’t come in wide. So, if you have wider feet then you might find the fit of Brooks Levitate not that great. Otherwise, this will provide you with a very comfortable fit.

Are Brooks Levitate good for India?

Brooks Levitate is good for India for road running. It will provide a good grip on asphalt roads or on concrete ones. Also, it provides a decent grip on wet road conditions and high heat which is the climate in major parts of India. Brooks Levitate is a road running shoe. If you use it on Indian roads, it will work perfectly. The climate of India is mostly hot and humid. However, in such weather conditions also, the grip and stability that Brooks Levitate will provide are good.

Are Brooks Levitate good for indoors?

Brooks Levitate is good for indoors as the grip of the shoe is good and will not falter. However, it is not good for standing all day and should be avoided for such jobs. If you want to use Brooks Levitate indoors you can easily do that. It is a comfortable walking shoe with a smooth and accommodative in-shoe environment. However, if you have a standing job and want to use it, it may not be a good option.

Are Brooks Levitate good for jogging?

Brooks Levitate is a running shoe that makes it perfect for jogging. However, it is not suitable for long-distance jogging as it may cause pain in the foot due to stiffness.

Brooks Levitate is a running shoe and is a well-built one at that. So it is perfect for any person who wants to jog in them.

However, if you are planning for a long-distance jog, then it may not be a good idea as it may make your feet hurt due to stiffness.

For shorter distances, it will be a perfect companion.

Are Brooks Levitate Good For Jiu Jitsu

Are Brooks Levitate good for Jiu Jitsu?

Brooks Levitate is not a good shoe for Jiu Jitsu as it doesn’t have pipe-like ankle area support, lateral support, zero-drop, and flexibility of the sole. Also, the weight of Brooks Levitate is a lot more than any typical Jiu-Jitsu shoe.

Jiu Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu needs a shoe that is very lightweight like a second skin and has pipe-like ankle and Achilles area support.

Also, it has a lot of lateral support and the shoe has a zero-drop.

However, none of these features are present in Brooks Levitate and this is the reason that it is not suitable for Jiu Jitsu.

Are Brooks Levitate good for kicking?

Brooks Levitate can be used for kicking if it is done casually. However, if it is done as a competitive sport, then Brooks Levitate cannot be used at all as it lacks the necessary support required for kicking. Kicking requires a lot of lateral support from a shoe. Also, you need to have a lot of stability at the ankle area. However, these supports are not present in Brooks Levitate which makes it unsuitable for kicking.

Are Brooks Levitate Good For Kickboxing

Are Brooks Levitate good for kickboxing?

Brooks Levitate is not a good shoe for kickboxing as it doesn’t have the slight curvature in the midfoot and the extended ankle and Achilles support.

A kickboxing shoe has extended support on the ankle and the Achilles area. It is actually fully extended upwards like a pipe surrounding the area.

Also, it has excellent support on the lateral sides and a slight curvature in the midfoot.

However, none of these features are available in Brooks Levitate. That is why it is really not a kickboxing shoe.

Are Brooks Levitate good for long distance?

Brooks Levitate is not good for long distances as the stiffer sole will make the feet hurt. Brooks Levitate is good for shorter distances. As mentioned above, the sole of Brooks Levitate is stiffer. This provides you with a shoe that has superior energy return and feedback. However, this also makes it harder for you to run longer distances in this shoe without your feet hurting.

Are Brooks Levitate good for the office?

Brooks Levitate is good for an office where there is a casual dressing code and a desk job. Otherwise, it is best to avoid Brooks Levitate.

The new version of Brooks Levitate which is Brooks Levitate 5 looks very sporty. This kind of look is workable in a work environment where there is a casual dress code.

However, if you are into a more traditional setup, this kind of shoe may not be an acceptable part of the dress code. Also, Brooks Levitate doesn’t come in an all-black version. This would have made them somewhat ok for casual Fridays.

Also, if you have a desk job, this is a good option to wear. However, if you have to be on your foot all day, you might want to consider some other shoe.

Are Brooks Levitate good for squats?

Brooks Levitate is not good for squats as it has a heel-to-toe offset. This makes the user off balance once they go into a squatting position. Also, due to this, the proper form of squat cannot be achieved. When you go into a squat your heel needs to be planted on the ground. Also, your forefoot and heel need to be at the same height for the proper form of squat. Brooks Levitate has a heel-to-toe offset which is medium. This makes it impossible for someone doing a squat to achieve this. Also, since there is a heel-to-toe offset in Brooks Levitate when you come up, you will feel a forward push and this may make you off balance when coming up from a squatting position.

Are Brooks Levitate good for standing all day?

Brooks Levitate is not good for standing all day as its sole is stiffer and doesn’t provide that soft cushioning. For standing all day, you need to have a shoe that is very comfortable. For that, I would prefer something that is a bit softer than the sole of Brooks Levitate. This would provide a lot of support for standing all day. However, Brooks Levitate having a stiffer sole, will not be as comfortable after a couple of hours.

Are Brooks Levitate good for tennis?

Brooks Levitate is not good for tennis as it has a heel-to-toe drop of 8mm and no lateral support. In tennis, you would need a shoe that has a heel-to-toe drop of 0 mm and has plenty of lateral support. This is because in tennis you have multidirectional movements. However, Brooks Levitate doesn’t have any of these features which makes it unsuitable for tennis.

Are Brooks Levitate good for travel?

Brooks Levitate is good for travel. It has a decent cushion which will be able to support walking and traveling. However, if you are planning to walk long distances in your travel, then you may want to switch to something plushier like Brooks Glycerin. For that matter, Brooks Ghost will also be a good option for longer walks as it will provide you with good cushioning.

Do Brooks Levitate come in wide?

No, Brooks Levitate doesn’t come in wide for any of the versions. Brooks Levitate comes in a lot of different versions namely:
  • Brooks Levitate
  • Brooks Levitate GTS
  • Brooks Levitate StealthFit
  • Brooks Levitate StealthFit GTS
Also, for each of the versions, there is a men’s and a women’s version available. None of these have a wide fit available.

Are Brooks Levitate Good For Zumba

Are Brooks Levitate good for Zumba?

Brooks Levitate is not good for Zumba as it doesn’t have the lateral support and flexibility required by Zumba.

Zumba is a form of dance. So all the general rules that apply to dance shoes apply to Zumba shoes as well.

This means, that for a shoe to be suitable for Zumba, you would need it to be flexible and have lateral support.

However, Brooks Levitate lacks both. This is why it is not suitable for Zumba.

Madhusree Basu

Madhusree Basu

Author, Admin

Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.

How To Deal With Neck Pain From Sedentary Lifestyle?

How To Deal With Neck Pain From Sedentary Lifestyle?

How to deal with neck pain from a sedentary lifestyle? There are a lot of ways, but firstly, you need to understand why this happens and how you can prevent it.

In this article, we will discuss some common reasons for this kind of problem and how to deal with them. 

Also, we will provide precautions so that you can avoid this problem altogether.

How To Deal With Neck Pain From Sedentary Lifestyle

Problems with the neck in a sedentary lifestyle

Most of us who are in desk jobs or have to work long hours on computers are prone to have neck issues.

Most of the time, we are so focused on the work that we forget about our posture and end up having stiff back or forward head syndrome.

This is a common side effect of a sedentary lifestyle and can be easily fixed.

Reasons for pain in the neck due to a sedentary lifestyle

There are a lot of reasons for which you can have neck pain. Here are some common reasons for the same.

Official life

This is the primary contributor to discomfort or pain in the neck. If you have a desk job, you might be spending long hours on your desk.

This may lead to overall bad posture for your spine, especially the cervical spine.

Sitting Posture

Most of us neglect the way we sit. If you are sitting at a desk and are slouching or having any other form of bad sitting posture, then you will probably have neck issues.

Also, not only neck issues, you will have pain in the back and may also have pain and discomfort in the other parts of the body.

If you can sit at a desk by following proper ergonomic guidelines, you can avoid a lot of such issues.

The height of your computer screen is not proper

If your computer screen is placed much below your eye level, this forces your head to bend forward.

Keeping this posture for a long time will definitely lead to neck pain. However, this can be easily rectified by placing the computer screen on something that is at a higher level.

Sleeping on a pillow that is too hard or too soft

Sleeping on a pillow that is too hard or too soft may result in discomfort and neck pain.

If you have a very hard pillow, it will put a lot of strain on your neck as it will apply too much reverse pressure on your neck.

Also, if you use a too soft pillow, it will not provide any resistance to your neck. Your head will basically hang down and will have an additional stretch on the opposite side and a cramp on the other side.

Both of these will lead to neck pain.

If you have bad posture from childhood

If you have bad posture from childhood then also you can have this kind of neck pain. If you slouch or hunch your back, this can cause a lot of pain.

How to identify a forward head syndrome?

If you are working long hours on the computer and have an uneasiness in your neck if you have this kind of a head position as shown in the picture.

In this position, your head will be like sticking forward from your body slightly, like you are staring at something intensely.

If you don’t take care of it, you may end up having cervical spondylosis.

Forward Head Posture

 

But before we look into how to strengthen your neck and reverse this posture, let’s check what are the bones and muscles that are present in the neck. The neck area which actually contributes to the problems of a sedentary lifestyle is actually the cervical spine. The cervical spine is made up of 7 bones, called C1 to C7. A misalignment or bad posture will give rise to problems in this area.

Structure of Cervical Spine

In the below picture, you will find the bones that are associated with the cervical spine. C1 to C7 are separated by intervertebral discs. Cervical Spine

Muscles in the neck

In the below picture you will find the supporting muscles that come into play along with your cervical spine for an effortless movement. Cervical Muscles

Before you have a problem with the cervical spine, you will observe uneasiness in these neck muscles.

If you feel uneasiness, pain, or any kind of discomfort, then you should start the following neck strengthening exercises.

Neck Exercises

Neck problems can be painful and really annoying and may make it very difficult for you to work.

However, these problems can be reversed if you take precautions early on. Here is a set of exercises that will help you to maintain your neck health.

Neck Side Bends

Neck Side Bend

This is a very easy exercise that you can do sitting anywhere and will hardly take 1-2 mins to complete.

This will stretch and strengthen the sides of the neck and will relieve you from any stiffness in that area.

Steps

  • Sit in an upright position with your back straight.
  • Hold the right side of your head with the palm of your left hand.
  • Now bend your neck toward the right shoulder while applying gentle pressure with your left palm.
  • Hold it for 5 counts and release.
  • Repeat the above steps with the other side of the head and with the opposite hand.
  • Do 10 times on each side.

 

Neck Flexion

This exercise will stretch and strengthen the sides of the back of your neck.

Neck Flexion

Steps

  • Sit in an upright position with your back straight.
  • Hold the right side of your head with the palm of your left hand.
  • Now bend your neck toward the front right shoulder while applying gentle pressure with your left palm. Your elbow will be facing front.
  • While in this position, look toward the ceiling.
  • Hold it for 5 counts and release.
  • Repeat the above steps with the other side of the head and with the opposite hand.
  • Do 10 times on each side.

 

Neck Retraction

This will stretch the backside of your neck.

Steps

  • Sit in an upright position with your back straight and against a wall.
  • Place the backside of your head against the wall.
  • Now keeping the head on the wall, lower your chin slightly until you feel a stretch on the back of your head.
  • Hold it for 5 counts and release.
  • Do this stretch 10 times.

Neck Isometric Exercises

This is a set of 4 exercises where you will be putting pressure on your neck from all 4 sides. In this exercise try to keep your neck as still as possible.

Neck Isometric Exercises - 1

Neck Isometric Exercises - 2

Steps

  • Sit in an upright position.
  • Place the base of your right palm on the right side of the head.
  • Increase the pressure on your head with the palm while simultaneously resisting the pressure with your head. See to it that your head doesn’t move at all from the place.
  • Hold it for 5 counts and release.
  • Do this stretch 10 times and on all four sides of your head namely front, back, left, and right.

Precautions To Avoid Neck Pain From Sedentary Lifestyle

There are a few things that you can do if you want to avoid neck pain due to your sedentary lifestyle.

Using a medium soft pillow

As mentioned before, a very soft or hard pillow can cause pain in your neck.

However, if you use a medium soft pillow, you may not have to deal with this kind of neck pain. If you are having confusion, try using a memory foam pillow.

A medium soft pillow will provide your head and neck with optimum support and may provide you with relief from your neck pain.

Improving seating posture

This kind of neck problem happens mainly due to bad posture. Improving your seating posture is one of the best ways to avoid it.

The first change that you can do is to level up the height of your laptop or desktop placement. For that, you have many inexpensive solutions available.

Also using an ergonomic chair may provide you with proper support in the required places. This will also help you to improve your posture as well.

Madhusree Basu

Madhusree Basu

Author, Admin

Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.

How To Train For A 6km Run In 2 Weeks?

How To Train For A 6km Run In 2 Weeks?

Running 6km is a great way to get to become fit. However, if you have never run in your life then it may be a giant hill to overcome. But what if you have challenged yourself to run 6km in 2 weeks? Is it possible to train for a 6 km run in 2 weeks? It is possible, here is how…

To train for a 6km run in 2 weeks, run in the morning for increasing stamina, and do strength training in the evening using compound movements like squats, box jumps, and burpees with push-ups.

How To Train For 6Km Run In 2 Weeks

Training Plan to run 6Km in 2 weeks…

Before you start training for a 6Km in 2 weeks, here is a word of caution. If you are someone who has never run in life, these 2 weeks going to be tough.

First of all, your body is not at all used to running and it has to first get used to it.

Also, since your joints are used to carrying your load like this, you may feel a lot of pain and may not want to continue. If this is the first time that you are running, it is good to use a knee brace and ankle strap.

This will provide you with some additional support until your joints are strong enough to carry yourself.

Now let’s look at the training itself…

In this training, we will gradually increase the duration of running and initially, we will start with a short run…

Also, for the strength training, we will not only use compound movements but also, higher reps to increase your stamina…

Let’s begin…

Morning Training for running 6Km in 2 Weeks

In the morning session, we will focus on running…

Week 1

Day 1 – Run 2 mins, Walk 3-4 min, Run 2mins.

Day 2 – Run 5 mins, Walk 3-4 mins, Run 5 mins.

Day 3 – Run 8 mins, Walk 3-4 mins, Run 8 mins.

Day 4 – Run 11 mins, Walk 3-4 mins, Run 11 mins.

Day 5 – Run 14 mins, Walk 3-4 mins Run 14 mins.

Day 6 – Run 17 mins, Walk 3-4 mins, Run 17 mins.

Day 7 – Rest

Week 2

Day 1 – Run 20 mins, Walk 3-4 mins, Run 20 mins.

Day 2 – Run 23 mins, Walk 3-4 mins, Run 17 mins.

Day 3 – Run 26 mins, Walk 3-4 mins, Run 14 mins.

Day 4 – Run 30 mins, Walk 3-4 mins, Run 11 mins.

Day 5 – Run 35 mins, Walk 3-4 mins, Run 6 mins.

Day 6 – Run 40 mins or 6Km.

Day 7 – Rest.

In the above training plan, you will observe that we are not focusing on distance. Rather, we are focusing on time.

Most of the beginner runners will take around 35-40mins to finish 6Km. So, the complete focus of this program is to run a total of 40 mins.

This is easier to stick to as you will not be focusing on the distance, rather, you will focus on building your stamina.

Also, sticking to a time interval is easier than sticking to a distance interval.

We have broken up this running training into a pattern of run-walk-run. This is easier for runners who are just beginning to run. This will allow them to stick to the program without completely stopping or overdoing it.

Now that, we have done the run training, next it is time to build up your strength to carry you throughout the next 2 weeks…

Evening Strength Training To Run 6Km in 2 Weeks

If you want to run 6Km in 2 weeks successfully, not only will you have to focus on running, but also, you will have to build up your strength.

This will help you to run more efficiently, will improve your performance, and will also help you to avoid injuries.

Since we have a very short time to train for 6Km, we will focus on compound movements…

This will help us to target different muscle groups together and will help us to use the training time more efficiently.

Also, we will provide you with two different sets of strength training, one for gym-goers and the other for those who want to train from the comfort of their homes.

Ok…let’s get started…

Strength training (Gym-goers)

Squat with dumbbells

In this variation of the squat, you will be doing a basic squat while holding 5kg dumbbells in front.

SQUAT With Dumbbells Steps

Steps

  • Stand with your legs hip-width apart.
  • Hold the dumbbells in front of you with hands at shoulder height.
  • Now push your hips backward.
  • Start going down, until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
  • Come up with an explosive movement while squeezing your hips and tilting them slightly forward.
  • Do this for 30-35 reps, 4 sets.

If you cannot do this holding two dumbbells together, use only one and hold it at the ends with both hands.

However, focus on completing the repetitions as it will not only help you to improve your strength but also will help you to improve your stamina.

Box Jump

To start with the box jump, the first thing you need is to select a box. This you can do based on your height, like you are shorter than 5 ft 6 inches, go for a height of 14 to 16 inches.

If you are taller than that, then go for heights between 16 to 20 inches. However, most of us will be good with a height of a box around 16 inches.

Now that you have selected your box, here are the steps to do a box jump correctly…

Box Jump - Steps

Steps

  • Stand in front of the box at a short distance with your legs hip-width apart.
  • Now bend your knees a bit with your arms to the side in such a way that it helps you to propel forward.
  • Now jump up on the box with the help of your core and glutes.
  • Land softly and on your whole feet on the top of the box with your hands spread in front.
  • Now jump down softly.
  • Do this for 30-35 reps, 4 sets.

Battle Rope

Battle ropes are great for increasing strength and stamina. Due to the heaviness of the rope, it will take some strength to keep you firmly planted on the ground while performing this exercise.

Also, the movement will mostly happen from your forearm and wrist while engaging your glutes and core to keep you grounded.

Steps

  • Stand in front of the battle rope so that it is almost straight in your hands.
  • Stand with your legs hip-width apart with toes pointing outward.
  • Hold the battle rope slightly above the ends.
  • Now using your forearms and wrists raise the battle rope as high as possible and then return it to the ground. What you are trying to do is create a ripple effect in the rope.
  • Keep your back straight with your core and glutes engaged.
  • Do this for 30-35 reps, 4 sets.

Slam Ball Throwing

This is a great exercise for improving your stamina and strength together. It also works on your coordination and improves balance and core stability.

Steps

  • Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Turn your toes outward around 30 degrees.
  • Hold a slam ball overhead with both of your hands.
  • Now push your hips backward like you do in a squat and throw the slam ball on the ground as hard as possible.
  • Throw the slam ball near your legs.
  • Repeat this 30-35 times, 4 sets.

Leg Press

This is an exercise that can be done both at home and in the gym. I’ll show you the version that I do at home. However, in the gym, you will have a machine with which you can do it.

Leg Press With Resistance Band - Steps

Steps

  • Lie down on your back with a slight bend in the knees.
  • Hold a resistance band with both hands and on the feet as shown in the picture.
  • Now straighten your knees.
  • Then relax your knees.
  • Do this for 30-35 reps and 4 sets.
  • Increase the resistance based on your strength.

Now that we have seen what exercises you can do as part of your strength training when you visit the gym, we will now see what you can do if you are strength training at home.

Both of these exercise routines are very effective and will help you to run a 6K in 2 weeks.

Strength training for home workout

Some of the workouts that you have seen above can also be included in home workout routines as well.

We will just mention that, however, we will not discuss them as you can get the details from above.

Let’s start…

Squat Jump

This is an exercise that is a great cardio and strength training exercise. It will strengthen your glutes and your core which are essential if you want to run longer distances like 6K.

Squat Jump - Steps

Steps

  • Stand with your legs hip-width apart.
  • Stretch your hands in front as shown in the picture.
  • Push your hips and go into a squat position.
  • Now push on your feet and with the help of your core and glutes jump as high as possible.
  • Land softly on your feet.
  • Do this for 30-35 reps and 4 sets.

Burpees With Push Ups

This compound movement will also serve you as a great exercise and at the same time will improve your cardio and strength.

BURPEES WITH PUSH UPS - STEPS

Steps

  • Start with your legs hip-width apart.
  • Bend down so that your hands touch the ground.
  • Now lay your palms flat on the ground and jump back coming into a plank.
  • Bending your elbows go down as low as possible.
  • Push up and come into a plank.
  • Jump forward with hands still on the floor.
  • Stand up and jump.
  • Repeat 30-35 reps, 4 sets.

Other than these two exercises include leg press with a resistance band and box jump into this strength training schedule.

Diet

If you want to run 6K in 2 weeks then not only you will have to focus on training, but you will also have to take care of your diet.

The first change that you need to do is to increase the amount of protein that you intake. For that, you have to go up to a protein intake of 2 grams of protein per kg of your bodyweight.

This amount of protein is a bit more than that which is generally taken as part of the diet, however, this will help you to build strength and recover faster.

Apart from that, you need to include two supplements into your diet. This will help you in faster recovery and if taken as prescribed will not cause any side effects.

Supplements

BCAA

BCAA or Branched-chain amino acids stimulates the building of protein in the muscles and also helps to reduce the muscle break down.

In other words, this will help you in faster recovery and will help you to retain muscle mass.

Glutamine

The other supplement that you need to take is Glutamine. Glutamine is the building block for making protein in the body. This means, it will help you in faster recovery.

However, please take these in prescribed quantity to avoid side-effects.

Precautions

Apart from following the above steps while training for 6K in under 2 weeks, you need to follow some precautions to minimize your chances of injury.

Avoid Overtraining

More training will not lead to faster running or better performance. If you are training for more than what is provided above, you will likely be overtraining.

However, if you are feeling too much fatigue, or lethargy after following the above steps, then that means the above training is too much for your body at this time.

Then cut down the training time in half and follow that. Sure you may take more time to accomplish your target…but you will be able to avoid the side effects of overtraining.

Avoiding Rest Days

This is something that we all are guilty of. We want to get faster results, so we train more. We give up on the rest days and train on those days as well.

This will yield results the same as overtraining. Your body will not get time to recover and will be tired and fatigued all day.

Also, this may become too much and you may even leave the training program halfway…

Skimping On Sleep

For some, sleeping is a waste of time, or they are so busy that they cannot afford to sleep for 6 hours a day.

However, when you are going through a rigorous training schedule like this one, sleep is essential for recovery.

Proper sleep will help you to repair your body faster and you will have more strength to run on the following day.

Avoiding using knee cap/brace and ankle brace

If you are a beginner runner and want to run 6Km in 2 weeks, then you will be suddenly putting a lot of pressure on your joints, especially the knee and the ankle joints.

So, to avoid any kinds of injury to these joints, it is better to add some extra support to them and use knee cap/braces and ankle braces.

This will help you to avoid any kind of subsequent pain.

However, most of us generally avoid this and become more prone to injury.

Run 6K in 2 Weeks

Madhusree Basu

Madhusree Basu

Author, Admin

Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.

Sourav Sarkar

Sourav Sarkar

Reviewer, Certified Fitness Instructor

Certified fitness trainer and an ex-professional bodybuilder, he has trained more than 500 fitness enthusiasts and has more than 15 years of on-the-job experience.

Are Hokas Good For Heel Strikers?

Are Hokas Good For Heel Strikers?

Hokas are very well-made shoes and are excellent for running. They are comfortable and have plush cushioning that helps you to run longer miles. But are Hokas good for heel strikers? Since 60% of runners and more than 70% of marathoners are heel strikers, this is a very important question to them.

Hokas are good for heel strikers as they have excellent heel cushioning and provide you with good shock absorption on landing.

ARE HOKAS GOOD FOR HEEL STRIKERS

Hokas are excellent running shoes. Most of them have thick cushioning and provide you with ultimate shock absorption.

However, there is one thing you should be aware of if you are a heel striker. When you land your Achilles area stretches a lot more than that of the runners who forefoot strikers.

Due to this, they are more prone to injuries like Achilles Tendonitis or other types of calf pains.

Hoka being a low-drop shoe brand, may not be able to help you if you have this kind of problem. Otherwise, they are great shoes for heel strikers.

Hoka Carbon X 3

HOKA CARBON X3

Is Hoka Carbon X 3 Good for Heel Stikers?

Hoka Carbon X has slightly more cushioning in the heel area as it has a heel-drop of 5mm. This additional cushioning along with the extended backward heel cushioning is good for heel strikers.

If you observe the silhouette of Hoka Carbon X above, you will find that the heel area is extended backward.

Also, the drop of this running shoe is around 5mm. Which means it has additional cushioning in the heel area.

Both of these come together to provide you with excellent protection against heel striking.

Hoka Mach Supersonic

HOKA MACH SUPERSONIC

Is Hoka Mach Supersonic Good For Heel Stikers?

Hoka Supersonic is good for heel strikers because the overall cushioning of this shoe is great and also has added cushioning in the heels.

Hoka Supersonic has a heel drop of around 5mm. This means the heel cushioning of this shoe is more.

Along with that, it has the cushioning of the heels is extended backward and provides you with further protection.

In Mach Supersonic you also have the ProFly+ topsole which adds another level of cushioning to these shoes.

All these together provide you with excellent heel cushioning and are great for heel strikers.

Hoka Gaviota 4

HOKA GAVIOTA

Are Hoka Gaviota bad for heel strikers?

No, Hoka Gaviota is not bad for heel strikers. It is an excellent shock absorber when you land on your heels as the cushioning of the heel area is high. Hoka Gaviota is good for heel strikers. The drop of Hoka Gaviota is 5mm. This makes the cushioning of the heel area slightly thicker than that of the forefoot. Also, Hoka Gaviota has an overall high heel and forefoot stack which means it has more cushioning overall. This makes it great for heel strikers and provides you with an excellent running feel.

Hoka Bondi 7

HOKA BONDI

Are Hoka Bondi Good For Heel Strikers?

Yes, Hoka Bondi running shoes are good for heel strikers. They have one of the thickest cushioning than any running shoe has which makes them excellent at shock absorption.

Hoka Bondi has the smallest heel drop among the Hoka running shoes. It has a 4mm drop which technically provides it slightly thicker heel cushioning.

Also, the overall stack height of Hoka Bondi is huge and makes it one of the comfiest cushioning around.

Along with that, it has a beveled heel that makes the landing on heels softer. All these factors come together to make Hoka Bondi a good running shoe for heel strikers.

Hoka Clifton 8

HOKA CLIFTON

Is Hoka Clifton 8 Good For Heel Strikers?

Hoka Clifton is good for heel strikers because it has a thick midsole with extra cushioning at the heels. It also has a beveled heel area for protecting you against heel landing.

Hoka Clifton is also a low drop shoe with a 5mm heel drop. However, the overall heel stack of this shoe is excellent and provides you with good cushioning.

Also, due to the thickness of the heel area, it is an excellent shock absorber and provides you great protection against heel strike.

It has a slightly beveled heel. This is an additional measure to protect you against a heel strike.

Hoka Arahi 6

HOKA ARAHI

Are Hoka Arahi Running Shoes Good For Heel Strikers?

Hoka Arahi running shoes are good for heel strikers. It has one of the thickest cushioning and the heel cushion is extended backward. This provides additional cushioning on landing.

Hoka Arahi is one of the most comfortable running shoes from Hoka. It has a huge midsole stack and provides you with one of the best shock-absorbing capabilities among running shoes.

Also, the cushioning of the heel area is extended backward. This provides additional cushioning on landing and extra shock absorption.

All of these features together make Hoka Arahi good for heel strikers.

Hoka Rincon 3

HOKA RINCON

Is Hoka Rincon Good For Heel Strikers?

Hoka Rincon is good for heel strikers because it has a decent amount of cushioning and thicker heel cushioning. This protects heel strikers from impact and is good for them.

Hoka Rincon has balanced cushioning. This means it is more responsive than some of the more cushy running shoes from Hoka like Arahi.

However, the cushioning that Rincon provides is great for heel strikers as it is thicker on the heel area.

Also, the heel cushion is slightly extended backward providing added cushioning. This is also beneficial for runners who land on their heels as this added cushioning will act as an excellent shock absorber.

Overall, Hoka Rincon is excellent for heel strikers.

Hoka Mach 5

HOKA MACH 5

Are Hoka Mach 5 Running Shoes Good For Heel Strikers?

Hoka Mach 5 is good for heel strikers. They have good midsole cushioning with added cushioning at the heel areas. It also has an added topsole and extended heel cushion to provide additional protection to heel strikers.

Hoka Mach has good midsole cushioning. It has a drop of 5mm. This provides you with slightly more cushioning at the heels.

Also, the heel area of this shoe is extended backward providing you with added cushioning on heel landing.

I would say that this kind of extension at the back actually encourages heel strike. Also, it has an improved topsole which is made from PROFLY+ material. It is an upgrade from PROFLY and provides you with a bouncier and cushy ride.

It also acts as an added cushioning material for heel strikes.

Hoka Clifton EDGE

HOKA CLIFTON EDGE

Is Hoka Clifton EDGE Good For Heel Striker?

Hoka Clifton EDGE is excellent for heel strikers as it has extended heel cushioning backward which protects you from a heel strike.

Hoka Clifton EDGE is a slightly enhanced version of the Hoka Clifton and that enhancement is purely visible in the heel area.

The heel of Hoka Clifton EDGE is extended outward and that acts as an additional cushioning when you land on your heels.

To some extent, this kind of heel extension actually encourages heel strikes. Anyways, apart from the extended heel area, the heel area cushioning itself is thicker.

This is an additional cushioning that when combined with the beveled heel, actually produces excellent protection against heel stikes.

Hoka Kawana

HOKA KAWANA

Should you use Hoka Kawana if you are a heel striker?

Yes, you can use Hoka Kawana even if you are a heel striker. It has good cushioning in the heels and has an extended heel area at the back along with the beveled heel structure. This provides protection if you are a heel striker.

Hoka Kawana is a lightweight decently cushioned responsive running shoe from Hoka. They have balanced cushioning and provide you with a comfortable ride.

It has slightly more cushioning in the heels which are good for a heel striker. Also, the heel area is extended backward.

This is an added level of cushioning for the heel strikers as this is the first part that lands on the ground when your heel strikes.

Also, the beveled heel area is also one of the other measures that Hoka Kawana has that helps you if you are a heel striker.

Hoka Elevon 2

Hoka Elevon

Is Hoka Elevon 2 Good For Heel Strikers?

Yes, Hoka Elevon is good for heel strikers. It has thicker cushioning in the heel area, protruded heel cushioning, and a beveled heel. All these are good for heel strikers.

Hoka Elevon is a well-cushioned running shoe that is great for heel strikers. It has thick cushioning in the heel area which is good for heel strikers.

The topsole of Hoka Elevon is made from PROFLY. This is a cushy and bouncy material and provides you with added cushioning.

Also, the heel area protruded outside acts as an added cushioning against heel strike.

The beveled heel also helps in shock absorption and is an added protection against heel striking.

Hoka Rocket X

Hoka Rocket X

Is Hoka Rocket X Good For Heel Strikers?

Hoka Rocket X is good for heel strikers as it has thick cushioning. This acts as a good shock absorber. Also, the carbon fiber plate helps in faster propulsion reducing the overall impact.

Hoka Rocket X is a running shoe with good cushioning. This makes it good for heel strikers. However, like some of the other models from Hoka, it doesn’t have an extended heel area for added shock absorption.

However, although it doesn’t have a thick cushioning, it has a carbon fiber plate which helps in its faster propulsion, and a more efficient toe-off.

Hoka Speedgoat 5

Hoka Speedgoat

Are Hoka Speedgoat 5 running shoes good for heel strikers?

Hoka Speedgoat 5 running shoes are good for heel strikers. It has compression-molded foam as the midsole and is great for shock absorption for heel landing.

Hoka Speedgoat is a trail running shoe from Hoka. However, it has a similar cushioning to Clifton.

It is responsive and has a protective toe rand and 5mm lugs to carry you through the uneven trails.

However, the cushioning of Speedgoat is excellent. It is good with shock absorption. It is slightly protruded outwards, which is an added cushioning for heel landing.

It also has a mild heel bevel which is an added advantage for heel landers.

Hoka Torrent 2

Hoka Torrent

Is Hoka Torrent 2 Good For Heel Strikers?

Hoka Torrent is good for heel strikers. The thickness of the heel area is more than that of the forefoot. This added cushioning is great for shock absorption during heel landing.

Hoka Torrent is a lightweight responsive shoe that is good for speed running. However, being a speed running shoe, it doesn’t have the midsole thickness like that of the other models from Hoka.

Regardless, it has some added cushioning in the heels and this makes it good for heel landing.

The shock absorption is decent and you will be able to move quickly from heel to toe when using this shoe.

Unlike many of the other models from Hoka, it doesn’t have that added extended heel cushioning which would have been better for heel landing.

However, it has PROFLY topsole which is an added cushioning and provides you with a bouncy ride.

Hoka Stinson ATR 6

HOKA Stinson ATR

Is Hoka Stinson ATR 6 Good Heel Strikers?

Hoka Stinson ATR is good for heel strikers as it has very heavy cushioning in the heel area. The heel area protruded outside and it has beveled heels for better shock absorption on heel landing.

Hoka Stinson ATR is a good trail running shoe for heel strikers. It is excellent with shock absorption and cushioning.

The heel stack of Hoka Stinson is excellent and stands at 37mm. This is a huge cushioning and is great for heel striking as it will provide you with optimal shock absorption.

Apart from a huge heel stack, the heel cushion is extended outside, which provides you with added cushioning on heel landing.

Also, since it has a beveled heel, it provides better heel landing with an increased surface area which provides better impact dissipation.

Hoka Speedgoat 4 GTX

Hoka Speedgoat Gore-Tex

Can Heel Strikers Use Hoka Speedgoat 4 GTX?

Hoka Speedgoat GTX can be used by heel strikers and is a good choice. It has thick midsole cushioning in the heel area along with cushioning extension in the back and a mildly beveled heel for better landing on the heels.

Like Hoka Speedgoat, Hoka Speedgoat GTX is good for heel strikers. It has a thick heel cushioning of 32mm.

This is a good heel stack and will provide you with excellent cushioning when you are landing on your heels.

Also, like Speedgoat, Speedgoat GTX also has extended heel cushioning at the back. This is excellent for heel strikers as it provides you with added cushioning on landing.

Apart from that, it is also a mildly beveled heel. This provides an added surface area on landing and improves the impact dissipation.

Hoka Zinal

Hoka Zinal

Is Hoka Zinal Good For Heel Strikers?

Hoka Zinal is good for heel strikers because it has a good amount of cushioning in the heels, extended heel cushioning, and beveled heels for better impact dissipation.

Hoka Zinal is a lightweight decently cushioned trail running shoe. However, the thickness of the heel cushioning is enough for it to have good impact absorption.

Also, the heel is slightly thicker than the forefoot and this adds more cushioning to the heels. There is a topsole in this shoe made of PROFLY material. This adds an additional layer of cushioning and bounce for the shoe.

The heel area is extended backward and this adds added cushioning to the heel on landing. Also, the mildly beveled heels will provide better shock absorption to the heel landers.

Hoka Mafate Speed 3

Hoka Mafate Speed

Is Hoka Mafate Speed Good For Heel Strikers?

Hoka Mafate Speed is good for heel strikers because it has a very thick heel cushioning. This heel cushioning is slightly extended backward to provide additional cushioning during heel landing.

Hoka Mafate Speed has one of the thickest midsole cushioning available for running shoes. This is excellent for shock absorption and provides you with a great running experience on the trails.

However, this cushioning is thicker in the heels and that acts as additional cushioning for heel strikers.

Also, the heel cushion is extended backward and adds to the existing cushioning of the midsole.

Hoka Anacapa Low GTX

Hoka ANACAPA LOW GORE-TEX

Is Hoka Anacapa Low GTX Good For Heel Strikers?

Hoka Anacapa Low GTX is good for heel strikers. It has a thick heel cushioning with extended heel support for better shock absorption. It also has a beveled heel which is good for impact dissipation for heel strikers.

Hoka Anacapa Low GTX is an excellent trail running shoe. It is comfortable and provides you with good shock absorption, even if you are a heel striker.

The heel area has a thicker cushioning and the heel stack is at a height of around 30mm. This is a good amount of cushioning and is great for heel strikers.

The heel cushioning is extended backward which is an added advantage for the heel striking runners.

The beveled heel also adds to this comfortable heel striking experience and helps with better shock absorption.

Hoka Challenger ATR 6

Hoka Challenger ATR

Is Hoka Challenger ATR 6 Good For Heel Strikers?

Hoka Challenger ATR is good for heel strikers. It has a thick cushioning especially at the heels. It also has beveled heels which are great for heel striking.

Hoka Challenger ATR is excellent for any terrain. It is a comfortable running shoe that can help you run both longer and shorter distances.

The thick cushioning that it has in the midsole is excellent for shock absorption. Also, added top layer is additional cushioning material.

The heel is extended backward and provides additional cushioning for the runners. Along with the beveled heel, it is excellent for heel striking.

Hoka TenNine

Hoka Tennine

Is Hoka TenNine Good For Heel Strikers?

Hoka Tennine is excellent for heel strikers. It has excellent heel cushioning which is also extended considerably on the outside to provide additional support to the heel strikers.

The construction of Hoka TenNine is such that, it encourages heel striking. This is one of the few shoes that encourages this kind of running pattern.

Also, the thickness of the midsole is also good. It is excellent with shock absorption and provides good cushioning at the heels.

One thing which is not present in Hoka Tennine is that it doesn’t have beveled heels. However, due to the length of exterior cushioning of the heels, you will hardly notice it.

Hoka EVO Jawz

Hoka EVO Jawz

Is Hoka EVO Jawz Good For Heel Stikers?

Hoka EVO Jawz is not good for heel strikers. The cushioning level is not very high as this is a speed shoe. Also, it doesn’t have any extended heel cushioning or beveled heels for better impact absorption during heel strike.

I would not prefer Hoka EVO Jawz for heel striking. The cushioning level of EVO Jawz is good. However, it is meant for speedrunning and shorter distances.

So, the level of cushioning is not as high as other models from Hoka. Also, unlike the other models, it doesn’t have any extended heel cushioning or beveled heels for better impact dissipation.

That is why it is better to not use Hoka EVO Jawz if you are a heel striker.

Hoka X Bodega Kaha Low GTX

Hoka X Bodega Kaha LOW GTX

Is Hoka X Bodega Kaha Low GTX Good For Heel Strikers?

Hoka X Bodega Kaha Low GTX is good for heel strikers. It has excellent heel cushioning, extended heel support, and beveled heels.

Hoka X Bodega Kaha Low GTX is a trail running shoe that is meant for the wetter regions. It is lightweight, cushy, and excellent for even long-distance running.

The heel cushioning of this shoe is also very good. It has a high heel stack that is excellent for shock absorption.

Also, the heel cushioning is slightly extended backward with a beveled heel. This makes the impact absorption even better and is excellent for heel strikers.

Madhusree Basu

Madhusree Basu

Author, Admin

Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.

Struggling To Run More Than 5k: How To Get Over The Running Hump?

Struggling To Run More Than 5k: How To Get Over The Running Hump?

Running 5K is incredible. It makes you feel invincible. If it’s your first 5K then finishing it will boost your confidence manifold…

But what if you are struggling to run more than 5K. How to get over the running hump?

In this article, I’ll describe

  • Some common causes for not being able to run more than 5K.
  • Provide ways to overcome each of the causes.
  • A plan to run 6K

Sounds good? Let’s start…

Struggling To Run More than a 5K - How To Get Over The Running Hump

Reasons For Struggling To Run More Than 5K

If you are struggling to run more than 5K then there can be some common reasons like your lifestyle, stress, food habits, sleeping patterns, level of endurance, etc.

To check why you are struggling, you first need to determine which of the below reasons are true for you and try to address that.

If you find more than 1 reason for this continuous struggle, then address one at a time…

1. Level of endurance

You may be struggling to run 5K or more because of the level of endurance you have. You may have built it up to a certain extent with daily running, but it is not enough for a 5K.

To run a 5K or more, you will have to put focused effort to train for a 5K. Gradually improve your endurance so that you don’t get demotivated.

You can improve your level of endurance in as little as 2 weeks, provided you stick to a plan and follow it consistently.

Taking a gradual approach will ensure that you don’t sustain injury and don’t give up in the middle.

2. Running too fast

You may be trying to run your 5K fast. There is peer pressure to perform at a certain level…

Believe me, most of the runners feel that…

However, that cannot be the reason to try to run faster than your ability. Instead, try to first run a 5K without caring about timings or PB. Think about speed later.

If you are currently running too fast, then the first thing that you can do is to slow down…try to run for a longer duration with a comfortable pace.

This will not tire you out and you will be able to cover more distance with that…

3. Eating too much before you run

Sure you need the energy to run and for that, you need to have food. But stuffing yourself with food is not the best way to do that.

This way, you will be too uncomfortable to run, or in some cases, you may even throw up…

So, while having some amount of food is good before the run, don’t go overboard.

4. Eating too less

While eating too much is a problem, eating too less is also a big problem. If you are trying to run more than 5K, sufficient fuel will be needed by your system.

So, you should plan your pre-running meal according to that. If you eat too less, you will not have enough energy to complete the run.

Drinking a cup of coffee with a handful of dry fruits is all you need to sustain for a 5K run.

However, the amount you need may vary from the amount other runners need. Start with one handful of nuts and adjust the amount based on how tired you feel in the middle of the run.

5. Changed your diet plan recently

If you have switched from a carb-rich diet to a low-carb or keto diet, then you may see this performance dip in the first couple of weeks.

This is normal and this is will be better in some weeks once your body gets adapted to using ketones as its primary fuel.

The Keto diet is known to have a performance reduction in athletes, and runners are no different…but most of the time, this dip in performance is only temporary.

So, if you were able to run a 5K and now you are not able to after switching to the Keto diet, then this diet is the culprit…

Wait for 1-4 weeks, for your body to get used to this new kind of fuel…

6. You don’t take rest days seriously

When you run long runs like 5K, you are putting a lot of effort into the run. In subsequent days, you need rest or recovery days.

Without that, your next 5K run will suffer. You have to either take a lot of breaks or you may give up in the middle of the run.

If you are not resting properly after a 5K day, then you may continue to struggle, until you implement this rest day.

Also, on the rest days, you need not take complete off…Instead, try active recovery…activities like swimming, yoga, walking or any light activities that will get the blood flowing but will not be too stenueous for you.

7. You have weak hips and glutes

Having strong hips will help you run for a longer period of time without experiencing pain and minimize the chances of injuries.

The same goes for the glutes which are one of the strongest and biggest muscles of your body.

If they are weak, you will not be able to run longer distances…and you may have to experience more pain and injuries.

Many of the injuries that a runner experience is due to tightness in hip flexors or weak glutes and hamstrings.

Strength training your hips and glutes is an effective way to improve this. Also, you will be able to run properly with good form for a longer period of time.

8. Tightness in calf muscles

Stiffness and tightness in the calf muscles are one of the main reasons that you cannot run past 5K.

This can cause serious injuries and you may have to take prolonged breaks as such. Having flexible calf muscles with proper ankle mobility will ensure that you can run longer.

Otherwise, your Achilles Tendons may get overloaded and you will have to stop running due to injury.

Improving the mobility of the calf muscles is not a big deal. You have some specific exercises that will help you to improve on them in a couple of weeks.

Also, warming them up properly before the run will also help you to avoid any kind of painful breaks in the middle of the run.

9. Weak Knees

Many of us, come to running after taking a prolonged break or are becoming runners in say mid-twenties or even thirties.

By then, we have become too used to the sedentary lifestyle and the effects of it have started to take a toll on our bodies.

Many parts of our body start to become weak and one of the most affected joints is our knees…

If you have weak knees, you won’t be able to run far, let alone run more than 5K. You will start experiencing pain and it will keep coming back if you don’t strengthen your knees first.

Also, apart from having a strong knee, you can always try to improve the strength of the surrounding muscles like the quads.

This will help you to distribute the load more evenly while running. Also, it will provide additional strength to your knees.

10. You are overstriding

This is more of a problem with beginner runners. They will overstride or take longer strides than what is required to run.

This makes them use up their energy faster and they cannot run longer miles like 3 miles run.

If you are getting tired too easily, then get your strides evaluated. This will help you to understand if you need to change your stride pattern or not.

This also will help you improve your cadence which in turn will help with your endurance.

11. You are not using rhythmic breathing

Using your breath effectively while running will help you to run better and use your energy more efficiently.

This is one of the techniques that long-distance runners use to improve their race timing and endurance.

You can also use rhythmic breathing for 5K runs as it will help you to focus on using your energy more efficiently.

This in turn will help you run longer and will give your stamina a boost so that you can run more than a 5K.

Run More Than 5K: 6K Run Plan For Beginners

We have covered a lot of different reasons why you cannot run more than 5K…

But although these are great, you definitely need to work on any of them which is needed by you.

However, one big aspect that you also need to work on is the mental game of running a 5K.

Your mind gives up much before your body and if you don’t train your mind, you will probably never going to run a 5K even with all the incremental improvements mentioned above.

The best way to focus on your mental game is to work with a plan, no matter how basic is it. This will provide you with daily wins and progress and will help you to keep your motivation.

This is the reason we have selected the 6K run plan. This is 1K more distance than 5K and will help you move past the struggle of not being able to run a 5K.

We have created a 4-week 6K plan which will just push you a little more to break that mental barrier.

Here is the plan…

6K RUNNING PLAN FOR BEGINNERS
Struggling To Run More than a 5K - How To Get Over The Running Plateau
Madhusree Basu

Madhusree Basu

Author, Admin

Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.

Are Brooks Shoes Really Expensive? (The 10 Best Brands Compared)

Are Brooks Shoes Really Expensive? (The 10 Best Brands Compared)

Last Updated: July 11th, 2022

Are Brooks shoes expensive? If you look at the price tags that these shoes bear, you will know that it is true…but then again, running shoes are expensive…and there is no way around this…

But the real question is are Brooks shoes really expensive? This question can only be answered if you compare the price range of Brooks shoes with the prices of other brands.

Otherwise, it really doesn’t make sense to say that Brooks sneakers are expensive…It can be out of budget, yes…but whether it is expensive or at par on the market, only a proper comparison can provide you with the real picture…

We did just that…

We took 10 of the most popular running shoe brands and compared their prices with that of the Brooks shoes.

For the comparison purpose, we are using the following brands today:

  • Adidas
  • Altra
  • Asics
  • Hoka One One
  • Mizuno
  • New Balance
  • Nike
  • ON Running
  • Saucony
  • Topo Athletic

To find out the price point of each of these brands, we referenced their website directly so that there is no additional cost added to the shoes.

We did the same to check the prices of Brooks so that there is some uniformity in the comparison.

So, what did we find? Let’s check out…

Are Brooks Shoes Expensive

Are Brooks Shoes Expensive?

Yes, Brooks shoes are expensive, however, if you compare them with the prices of the popular brands, then they are almost at par.

When we compared the prices of Brooks shoes with that of the other brands, what we found is that, they are not expensive in comparison to them.

Also, for many of the brands, the prices of these shoes have an almost matching value to Brooks…

Are Brooks Shoes Expensive Compared To Top Brands?

Whether Brooks is expensive or not compared to the other brands can only be found out if we have to know the price range in which Brooks shoes are available…

Here is what we found out…

Price of the cheapest Brooks running shoe: $65 (Draft XC Spikeless)

Price of the most expensive Brooks shoe: $250 (Hyperion Elite 3)

However, most of the running shoes from Brooks are available in the range of $130 to $160. In this range, you will find all the popular running shoes from Brooks like Ghost, Adrenaline GTS, Glycerin, Cascadia, Beast, Levitate, etc…

In total out of 101 running shoe models that are available from Brooks, that range alone has around 51 products.

Now, that we know, what is the price range of Brooks shoes and where are most of them, let’s find out the price ranges of the other brands and compare them with Brooks’ prices.

Brooks Price Comparison With Adidas

The first brand in this price comparison is Adidas. To check the price point of Adidas running shoes, we visited Adidas’ official website and sorted the prices of the shoes from the highest to the lowest.

The most expensive Adidas running shoes cost around $260 (Terrex Agravic Tech Pro Trail Running Shoes)

If you compare it with the price of Hyperion Elite, it will cost you $10 more. This means, the most expensive shoe from Adidas is actually more expensive than the most pricey shoe from Brooks.

Now let’s check if Adidas can beat Brooks in the cheapest category or not…

The cheapest Adidas shoe will cost you around $60 (Run Falcon 2.0). In comparison, Brooks is $5 dollar expensive in this category.

But what is the price range in which most of the Adidas models are available?

The bestsellers from Adidas will cost you somewhere between $110 to $200 with the most popular shoe, Ultraboost costing you around $190.

So, by comparison, the price range in which most of the shoes are available from Adidas is wider than that of Brooks.

However, it beats Brooks in both the lower price and the higher price in this most popular category.

So, all in all, Brooks is not more expensive than Adidas and for many models, Adidas will cost you more than Brooks.

Comparing Brooks’ Price With Altra

Now let’s establish the price points for Altra, for easier comparison with Brooks’ price.

The most costly shoe from Altra will cost you around $240 (Vanish Carbon). This is actually, $10 cheaper than the most premium price available from Brooks.

Also, the cheapest shoe price from Altra is around $60 (Youth Kokiri). This is actually $5 cheaper than the lowest price available from Brooks.

But in which range most of the shoes or the popular shoes from Altra are available?

This range is $130 to $180. You will all the popular shoes from Altra like Superior, Rivera, Escalante, Provision, Lone Peak, Torin, Timp, etc. in this range.

The lower price point of this brand for the most popular shoes actually tallies with that of Brooks. However, the higher price is around $20 more expensive than Brooks.

So, by comparison, Altra may cost you more if you go for the more cushioned running shoes.

However, if you go for the other models that have decent cushioning, then they will cost you around $160, which is the same as that of Brooks.

At the $160 price, you will find the most popular running shoes from Brooks.

So, here also, Altra and Brooks have a similar price point for most of the popular shoes.

Comparing Brooks’ Price With ASICS

ASICS has a wide range of shoes and like the number of models that ASICS has, the prices also vary hugely.

The lowest price for ASICS shoes is around $50 (Gel-Contend). This is around $15 lesser than the lowest price available from Brooks.

The highest-priced shoe that is available from ASICS will cost you around $250 (Metaspeed EDGE+). This is the exact price of the most costly shoe from Brooks.

So, if you want to buy the most expensive shoe from either of these brands, the cost for both of them will be the same…

But what is the range of its most popular shoes or the bestsellers?

This price range is from around $100 to $160. The lowest point of this price range is around $30 cheaper than that of Brooks shoes. However, the highest price point is the same as Brooks.

So, expensiveness-wise, ASICS doesn’t beat Brooks. I would say, if you are looking for a good shoe from either of these two brands, you will have to shell out almost the same amount of money for any of them.

Related: Brooks Ghost Vs Asics Kayano: Which One Is Best For You?

Comparing Hoka One One’s Price With Brooks

Hoka One One running shoes are one of the most comfortable running shoes around. They are extremely cushy and some of them will feel like walking on the clouds.

Comfort-wise, it is at par with that of Brooks shoes…

But what about the price?

Let’s compare Hoka’s price with that of Brooks…

The costliest Hoka shoe will make you shell out around $215 (Bondi X). This is a whopping $35 difference from that of Brooks’ most expensive shoe.

The cheapest running shoe from Hoka will cost you around $125. This is $5 less than that of Brooks.

However, the range in which most of the Hoka models are available is around $130 to $215. The lower price point of the most popular shoe matches that of Brooks’.

However, the higher price point is way more expensive than Brooks and by way more I mean $55 to be precise. This is a huge price gap.

The shoes that are most commonly used for Hoka will cost you around $160. This is the same as that of Brooks. So, if you buy a Hoka, you may be spending almost the same amount of money as that Brooks.

All in all, although for some models, Brooks seems to be more expensive than Hoka, for the most commonly used shoes of both the brands, the price point is exactly the same.

Related: Brooks Vs Saucony Vs Hoka: Which Brand Is Right For You?

Comparing Mizuno’s Price With Brooks

Mizuno is one of those consistent performs that we have come to rely on. It is comfortable, and durable and will provide you with a good running experience.

But what about the price?

Mizuno is one of those few brands that have kept the max price of its shoes to under $200. The most expensive Mizuno running shoe will cost you around $180 (Wave Rebellion).

This is a shart contrast with that of Brooks shoes where the highest price runs up to $250.

This is a huge price difference of around $70. This means the costliest Mizuno shoe is actually almost 40% cheaper than the most premium running shoe from Brooks.

The price of cheapest running shoe model from Mizuno will cost you around $140. This is more than double the price of the budget-friendly shoes from Brooks.

However, the price range of the most popular shoes from Mizuno is the same as the upper limit and the lower limit of the price which are $180 and $140 respectively.

Mizuno has a handful number of models and they focus on them entirely. This has helped them to maintain this sub $200 price range.

However, this price range beats Brooks for both the upper price band and the lower price band by $10 and $20 respectively.

This means, in this way, Mizuno is slightly more expensive the Brooks.

Price Of Brooks Compared With Nike

Nike is one of the most known brands in the fitness and sports industry. You will be able to see Nike in many countries. In fact, much before Brooks and Hoka, Nike was launched in India.

The global reach that Nike has, many of the other brands are yet to have.

Now let’s check how its price fares against that of Brooks.

The highest price of a Nike running shoe is around $300 (Nike Zoom Alphafly Next Nature). This is a huge amount of money to pay for any running shoe.

In fact, probably this is one of the most expensive running shoes around.

Compared to this, the highest price to pay for a Brooks sneaker is around $100 lesser.

The lowest price of a Nike shoe is around $50. This is much lesser than that of Brooks which is around $15 more.

However, the price range of the most popular shoe is the same as that of the lowest and the highest price of the shoe.

This makes Nike expensive if you go for the premium shoes and in fact, this makes it way costlier than Brooks.

Price Of Brooks Compared With New Balance

A shoe brand that I like as an alternative to Brooks is New Balance. They provide you with incredible comfort and are excellent as a running buddy.

Although they match up in the comfort department as in Brooks, how do they match up in the price area?

Let’s find out…

The most expensive shoe from New Balance is Stone Island Tokyo Design Studio FuelCell RC Elitev2. It costs you $219.99. This is a lot less than that of the most priced running shoe from Brooks which is $250.

This means the priciest New Balance shoes will cost you around $30 less than that of the Brooks.

What about the lowest price from New Balance?

It is around $69.99 (DynaSoft Nitrel). This cost is $4.99 more than that of Brooks whose lowest price is around $65.

However, the range in which most of the popular shoes from New Balance are available is $69.99 to $184.99.

The lower price point is much lesser than that of Brooks which is at around $130. Whereas the higher price point is around $160 for Brooks.

So, if you go for a more premium model, you will have to shell out more cash for New Balance than Brooks.

Related: New Balance Size Chart Vs Nike

Brooks Price Compared With ON Running

ON Running shoes are comparatively new to the running market. However, they are excellent running shoes and will provide you with a very good running experience.

Is ON Running more expensive than Brooks?

The topmost model of ON Running is slightly more expensive than that of Brooks. It costs you around $20 more than that of Brooks.

For the lowest price, ON Running has a price of around $139.99. This is way more than the lowest price of Brooks. Actually, this is around $51 more than that of the cheapest model Brooks.

Now check the price range of the most popular ON Running shoes. Although you can go for a more expensive or cheap running shoe from ON, however, mostly you will settle for a shoe which belongs to this price range.

However, this price range is around $139.99 to $199.99. This price range is slightly higher than that we have seen in Brooks. Both the higher price point and the lower price point are greater than Brooks. In this aspect, ON Running is more expensive than Brooks.

Related: On Running Vs Nike: Which Brand Is Best For You?

Brooks Price Compared With Saucony

Saucony shoes are excellent running shoes and provide you with a lot of variety not only in terms of the model but also, in terms of price.

The highest-priced running shoe from Saucony will cost you around $250. This is the same price point as the most expensive shoe from Brooks.

The cheapest Saucony shoe will cost you around $90 which is around 40% more than that of Brooks. This was a bit surprising for me. I was under the impression that Saucony provides something in a more affordable range.

But what is the price range of the most popular shoes from Saucony? Actually, this price range is the same as the lowest and the highest price of the shoes from Saucony, which is $90 and $250 respectively.

The lower price point of Saucony is much lower than that of Brooks. In this aspect, Brooks is more expensive than Saucony.

The higher price point of Saucony is much higher than Brooks. This means Saucony beats Brooks here.

So, whether to say that Saucony is more expensive than Brooks or not, is inconclusive. As one is expensive in one category, whereas the other is expensive in the other category.

Price of Topo Athletic Compared with Brooks

Topo Athletic is a considerably newer entry into the running world. Although new it has become very popular and will provide you with excellent running comfort.

One thing is the prices of Topo Athletic are represented in Pound Sterling (£). So we have converted the price to $. So there will be an approximation but you will get a general idea.

The highest price of Topo Athletic running shoes is around $208. This is much less than that of Brooks by almost 20%.

The lowest price of Topo Athletic shoes is around $137. This is much higher than that of Brooks and by higher I mean by more than 100%.

Also, since there are only a handful of models available from Topo Athletic, the lowest and highest price points are what are mentioned above.

This means for the more expensive models, it is cheaper than Brooks and for the cheaper models, it is more expensive than Brooks.

So basically, it is expensive or cheaper than Brooks depending on the model that you will select.

Related: Topo Phantom Vs Hoka Clifton: Which One Is The Best For You?

Conclusion

Although at the first glance, it may seem that Brooks shoes are very expensive…however, comparing its prices with different brands will tell you that, almost all of them are at a similar price point.

However, the median varies and the most popular shoe of one brand may be more expensive than that of the most popular shoe Brooks.

So, the amount of cash that you shell out from your pocket will depend on the model that you select.

Whether Brooks shoes are expensive or not is actually inconclusive…






Madhusree Basu

Madhusree Basu

Author, Admin

Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.