Stronger feet, better movement: foot exercises to promote foot health
Stronger feet, better movement: five foot exercises to improve foot health Our feet are remarkably adaptable. They help us balance, absorb and transfer force, react to the ground beneath us and provide sensory information that helps guide movement. Yet many of us spend much of our day in shoes, sitting in chairs and moving through predictable environments. We don't always give our feet the opportunity to use their full range of movement or develop the strength and coordination they need. As an exercise physiologist and TFC Pro, I’m interested in how we can restore some of [...]
Every Cyclist Has a Story
Every Cyclist Has a Story One of the things I love most about my work is that people rarely arrive at my studio with just a bike problem. They come in because their knee hurts, their hands are numb, their back is complaining, or they want to get more comfortable and powerful on the bike. But somewhere between looking at feet, mobility, movement, bike position and physiology, the conversation starts to wander…. A cyclist is never just a cyclist. They're a parent. A grandparent. An engineer. A teacher. A bus driver. A builder. A retiree. An [...]
Cycling Shoes: Creating Space for Natural Foot Function
Cycling Shoes: Creating Space for Natural Foot Function In my last article, I talked about why natural foot function is important for cyclists. Our feet can influence the way we move, transfer power and interact with the bike. However, what happens when we put our feet into cycling shoes? Cycling shoes are designed to provide stability, efficiency and a strong connection to the pedal. These are all important considerations for cycling, particularly when we are riding for long periods or producing high levels of power. Many cycling shoes, particularly traditional road cycling shoes, are narrow through [...]
Finding foot freedom – why natural foot health matters
Finding foot freedom - why natural foot health matters Over my career as an exercise physiologist, I've developed a real passion for helping people rediscover something that is often overlooked in movement and exercise: their feet. Our feet are our foundation. They connect us to the ground, provide sensory information, help us balance and adapt, and play an important role in how the rest of our body moves. Yet for much of modern life, our feet spend hours inside restrictive footwear. These shoes often have narrow toe boxes, elevated heels and thick, rigid soles. They limit [...]
Crank length does matter
Crank length does matter Back in 2018 , I wrote an article about bicycle crank length. Recently I’ve been reading and hearing in various places that crank length doesn’t actually matter. For example, the latest Zwift bike comes with one crank length (172.5mm). The argument is that 172.5 is an average length that will work for most riders... and that 5mm doesn't make a difference anyway. I believe that crank length does matter. I'll spend the rest of this article explaining why. Argumentum ad absurdum The unnuanced statement 'crank length doesn't matter' is easily refuted by [...]