Whether you’re a barefoot aficionado, a relative newcomer or still pondering whether or not to make the switch, learning the correct barefoot running technique is essential. Research about the benefits and ‘how to’s’ on barefoot running are aplenty, but here Merrell Pack Leader and barefoot running specialist, Piers Stockwell, gives you his bite size top 10 tips on how to achieve the perfect Merrell Bareform running technique.

Spending many hours seated at desks or in front of a TV has allowed our bodies to grow into the shape of a chair – tight hip flexors, weak gluteal muscles and no ankle flexibility. This week’s post will explain postural issues, how it affects our running stride and how to fix it. Remember, the more often you stretch in the day – ideally for 15-30secs – the quicker your muscles will grow longer.

What sparked your interest in barefoot running?
I first became interested in barefoot running to improve my efficiency for long distance events. I looked at efficiency in terms of biomechanics and realised that we run most biomechanically efficiently when we are bare foot. This is the way our bodies are designed to be as our bodies haven’t changed much since caveman days! For a long distance event, the more efficient you are, the more energy you will have at the end of the race where it matters most.

Piers Stockwell is a natural running expert who shares the Merrell Barefoot ethos, educating people to run the way your body was designed to.
Piers started the natural running school to teach people to run more efficiently and to get away from the trend of heavily padded running shoes to reduce injuries from poor running styles.