Thames Turbo Triathlon’s Tim Male tests out Profeet

It had been too long since my last visit to Profeet. With some sizeable goals ahead I decided it was high time I had some new insoles for my sizeable feet. With my prize voucher fresh in hand from exploits at race 2, I headed to Fulham.

Having been before I came with high expectations of great quality service. I was greeted at the door and offered free coffee (always a winner) before Emma introduced herself.

She was friendly and upbeat and it already felt like a fun experience. We went through the history of my shoes and running, before the barefoot pressure tests, where you run over a pressure pad which records the impact of your foot strike.

I’ve always thought of myself as a mid-foot to heel-striker (dependent on fatigue). So it was interesting to discover that I am a forefoot striker.

From video analysis on the treadmill Emma reassured me that everything was generally pretty good and my training was technically in good shape, but that there was no ‘magic wand’ that could make me gain a minute on my 5k. It could be that for other people, this analysis will find aspects of your running you could improve upon.

Next was the warm plastic foot massage.  Actually it was the insole fitting, but having your feet partially immersed in warm, soft ‘plasticine’ conjures up images of being in a health spa.

As for the shoe itself, I tried three different types of trainers, including testing them with treadmill video analysis. Both on feel and gait analysis we agreed on a pair of trainers, but to ease them in over time.

I was also given some exercises to stretch and strengthen calves to help complement the effect the insoles would have.

All in all I can say that Profeet have kept up very high standards and I would recommend them to all members who wish to upgrade their running.