The Pose method. Is it worth learning?

Josh Goldsmith · 04-27-2006, 10:59 PM

Hello all! In the injuries section i asked a question about shin splints when someone mentioned that i should look at the Pose technique. My question is that should i buy the video for $50 to learn the technique. There isn't a clinic anywhere near me. Here is a link to the video.http://store.posetech.com/Pose_Metho...D_p/pm-dvd.htm

I just wanted feedback before i spent money on this video. Thanks Josh

Dan MacDougald · 04-28-2006, 03:55 AM

Try this free resource first: www.gordonpirie.com

Download the FREE book, and read chapter 3 on running injury free. If that's not enough, then spend the $ on Pose.
Both advocate a forefoot strike, and criticise modern running shoes, which are all designed to absorb shock from a heel strike style of running.

Jerry Hill · 04-28-2006, 10:23 AM

It is an amazing but overwhelming system - IMO you will get an idea with the DVD but following through without a full clinic seems impossible.

I have the DVD and hosted an hour clinic with a certified pose coach...still no better off application wise.

Jerry

Josh Goldsmith · 04-28-2006, 12:28 PM

I just read the gordon prier method. It says that i should run on the front portion of my feet. He also said the i should land on the outside of the front of the foot and roll it inwards. I think what i am doing is landing on the heal of my foot which is causing shin splints. Does this sound right.

Michael Stehle · 04-28-2006, 12:46 PM

Hard heal striking can cause lower leg issues. I had a pro running coach tell me that a mid foot strike is more efficient. He also made a good analogy: Pretend you are running bare foot, you will run ligher.

Dan MacDougald · 04-29-2006, 04:44 AM

Running barefoot on grass is an excellent way to get your foot strike corrected. You won't have to think about it very much if you run barefooted. Man is evolved to run, and the foot is evolved for running without shoes. Don't over analyse, just do it. Pretend you are a kid. And be sure to run fast. You cannot and will not run with a heel strike if you sprint. Children never jog, and you shouldn't either.

If you really want to get into it google "barefoot running"

David Cynamon · 05-02-2006, 06:53 PM

This is also a pretty good link with some of the pose drills:
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/...technique.html

I've also been looking into pose; I've always landed on the front of my foot, not sure if it's the toe or midfoot, but learning pose seems like it would be more efficient and safer. I haven't really had any injuries besides a sprained ankle but it could be because I haven't really run so much.
Does anyone know of any reason not to learn pose?

Josh Goldsmith · 05-02-2006, 10:51 PM

Yeah david that is an excellent question. Any reason not to learn the pose method? I will give the running barefoot a try to teach myself to land on my front of the foot rather than the heal. Thanks for responding everyone!

Rene Renteria · 05-03-2006, 12:15 AM

I saw a thread on a site a while ago, and that thread is still going strong (over 2500 messages now). It has several runners that have given Pose a try, and they talk about what's good and bad about it. Some overuse injuries from the new stresses at the beginning, but those seem to resolve with training. You might check it out. Here's my original CrossFit post about it:

http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/21/7449.html

And here's the Pose thread on Runner's World UK:

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/forummessages.asp?UTN=8237&URN=1&dt=4&srchdt e=0&cp=126&v=1&sp=342489482289220194676

It has some good narratives about the training, and a lot about what shoes people like for it.

Best,
Rene'

Christian Lemburg · 05-05-2006, 02:07 AM

I converted to running in POSE-like fashion (what I think is POSE - never been to a seminar - just learned it off the net with video and forum questions combined with the Gordon Pirie book) some years ago, before coming to CrossFit. I don't know any reason for a CrossFitter not to learn POSE. It is just that for most "recreational athletes", the conversion takes too much time and effort.

Changing your running technique could be compared to learning the handstand - progress is measured in months, not weeks, and you have to be persistent. It is, however, totally achievable and in fact not very difficult if you follow the POSE drills. Most CrossFitters will probably get it even just with reading the Gordon Pirie book, I suspect.

The whole big secret is in learning how to "fall forward", as they say in POSE, with relaxed legs, and letting reflexes take over for landing/rebound on the ball of the foot. High cadence, fall forward, focus on pulling your legs from the ground (instead of focusing on landing/jumping).

And yes, for me, POSE definitely helped in achieving faster speed and less injuries. (Like the olympic lifts - power cleans really pushed my sprinting!)

Good luck converting,

Christian

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04-27-2006, 10:59 PM	#1
Josh Goldsmith Member Profile: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atascadero CA Posts: 18	Hello all! In the injuries section i asked a question about shin splints when someone mentioned that i should look at the Pose technique. My question is that should i buy the video for $50 to learn the technique. There isn't a clinic anywhere near me. Here is a link to the video.http://store.posetech.com/Pose_Metho...D_p/pm-dvd.htm I just wanted feedback before i spent money on this video. Thanks Josh

04-28-2006, 03:55 AM	#2
Dan MacDougald CrossFit Staff Profile: Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 251	Try this free resource first: www.gordonpirie.com Download the FREE book, and read chapter 3 on running injury free. If that's not enough, then spend the $ on Pose. Both advocate a forefoot strike, and criticise modern running shoes, which are all designed to absorb shock from a heel strike style of running.

04-28-2006, 10:23 AM	#3
Jerry Hill Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alexandria VA Posts: 645	It is an amazing but overwhelming system - IMO you will get an idea with the DVD but following through without a full clinic seems impossible. I have the DVD and hosted an hour clinic with a certified pose coach...still no better off application wise. Jerry

04-28-2006, 12:28 PM	#4
Josh Goldsmith Member Profile: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atascadero CA Posts: 18	I just read the gordon prier method. It says that i should run on the front portion of my feet. He also said the i should land on the outside of the front of the foot and roll it inwards. I think what i am doing is landing on the heal of my foot which is causing shin splints. Does this sound right.

04-28-2006, 12:46 PM	#5
Michael Stehle Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Avon-by-the-sea NJ Posts: 428	Hard heal striking can cause lower leg issues. I had a pro running coach tell me that a mid foot strike is more efficient. He also made a good analogy: Pretend you are running bare foot, you will run ligher.

04-29-2006, 04:44 AM	#6
Dan MacDougald CrossFit Staff Profile: Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 251	Running barefoot on grass is an excellent way to get your foot strike corrected. You won't have to think about it very much if you run barefooted. Man is evolved to run, and the foot is evolved for running without shoes. Don't over analyse, just do it. Pretend you are a kid. And be sure to run fast. You cannot and will not run with a heel strike if you sprint. Children never jog, and you shouldn't either. If you really want to get into it google "barefoot running"

05-02-2006, 06:53 PM	#7
David Cynamon Member Profile: Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Baltimore MD Posts: 79	This is also a pretty good link with some of the pose drills: http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/...technique.html I've also been looking into pose; I've always landed on the front of my foot, not sure if it's the toe or midfoot, but learning pose seems like it would be more efficient and safer. I haven't really had any injuries besides a sprained ankle but it could be because I haven't really run so much. Does anyone know of any reason not to learn pose?

05-02-2006, 10:51 PM	#8
Josh Goldsmith Member Profile: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atascadero CA Posts: 18	Yeah david that is an excellent question. Any reason not to learn the pose method? I will give the running barefoot a try to teach myself to land on my front of the foot rather than the heal. Thanks for responding everyone!

05-03-2006, 12:15 AM	#9
Rene Renteria Member Profile: Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 364	I saw a thread on a site a while ago, and that thread is still going strong (over 2500 messages now). It has several runners that have given Pose a try, and they talk about what's good and bad about it. Some overuse injuries from the new stresses at the beginning, but those seem to resolve with training. You might check it out. Here's my original CrossFit post about it: http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/21/7449.html And here's the Pose thread on Runner's World UK: http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/forummessages.asp?UTN=8237&URN=1&dt=4&srchdt e=0&cp=126&v=1&sp=342489482289220194676 It has some good narratives about the training, and a lot about what shoes people like for it. Best, Rene'

05-05-2006, 02:07 AM	#10
Christian Lemburg Member Profile: Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Aachen NRW Posts: 309	I converted to running in POSE-like fashion (what I think is POSE - never been to a seminar - just learned it off the net with video and forum questions combined with the Gordon Pirie book) some years ago, before coming to CrossFit. I don't know any reason for a CrossFitter not to learn POSE. It is just that for most "recreational athletes", the conversion takes too much time and effort. Changing your running technique could be compared to learning the handstand - progress is measured in months, not weeks, and you have to be persistent. It is, however, totally achievable and in fact not very difficult if you follow the POSE drills. Most CrossFitters will probably get it even just with reading the Gordon Pirie book, I suspect. The whole big secret is in learning how to "fall forward", as they say in POSE, with relaxed legs, and letting reflexes take over for landing/rebound on the ball of the foot. High cadence, fall forward, focus on pulling your legs from the ground (instead of focusing on landing/jumping). And yes, for me, POSE definitely helped in achieving faster speed and less injuries. (Like the olympic lifts - power cleans really pushed my sprinting!) Good luck converting, Christian