Likewise, some experts will choose to use the Foot Posture Index (a tool that measures standing foot posture) because it takes in more information than footprint shape and ankle motion to determine pronation. “The slow-motion playback will allow you both to see whether your ankles and feet are rolling in, staying in a neutral position, or rolling outward,” explains Feller.

Sometimes store employees will capture your gait analysis on video. Your footprint, arch, and how your weight sits on your feet when you walk are all examined. In either scenario, someone is checking the sequence of how your foot is landing from one step to the next, known as your gait. If, however, you don’t have access to a running store, sometimes a professional - such as a podiatrist - can just watch you walk.

“Get yourself to your local running specialty store, where the employees analyze your form as you run on a treadmill,” says Alison Feller, marathon runner and owner of Ali on the Run. Since this foot movement can be quite subtle for many (who knows what 15 percent rolling feels like?), you’ll likely need outside help to determine which pronation category you fall in to. If you’re just getting into the running scene but aren’t sure what your running style is - or which running shoes to buy - use this guide to help get you started. This can seem overwhelming to figure out.

If your foot rolls too far in or out, you could be wasting energy and, even worse, risking injury without the proper corrective footwear. Understanding this movement is important because it determines how well your feet are absorbing shock and how evenly you can push off the ground. But these all boil down to understanding the key element of pronation, aka the natural side-to-side movement of the foot. Heel strike, push off, stride, and arch are all foot-focused terms you might have heard about when trying on a pair of shoes at the store. This is especially true when it comes to your main piece of equipment: your feet. Although running seems like one of the simpler sports in terms of logistics - lace up a pair of sneakers and go, right? - you’ll still find entire books, articles, and lectures about all its technicalities.

How to tell if you have flat feet