Supports natural human movement.
In fact, Mr. Kajiwara used to run habitually to maintain his health, but had been taking a break for the past several years.
When I went to a personal training gym introduced to me by an acquaintance to have my physical condition assessed, I was severely disappointed. He told me that my weight shift and center of gravity when walking were not right, and that I should first work on my core to correct them. He also told me that I should stop running for the time being because I would surely break my knees if I continued running in that condition. I took the trainer's advice, stopped running, and started walking, squatting, and training on a regular basis, which actually strengthened my core, made it easier to walk, and made me feel much better. I decided it was time to resume running, and just as I was looking for shoes to do so, I received this offer. It was a great opportunity for me. I had seen Altra shoes at an exhibition in the U.S. and was interested in them.
This was Ms. Kajiwara's first time at Altra. We started with a counseling session. The person who helped her was Mr. Ryoru Imai, manager of the StrideLab Tokyo main store.
A former track and field athlete, Mr. Imai still enjoys running and trail running on a regular basis, and is a specialist with a thorough understanding of Altra's signature zero drop and foot shape.
Zero drop is the most distinctive feature of Altra shoes. In general shoes, there is a difference in height between the heel and toe, which can affect the movement of running and walking. However, "Altra" shoes are flat, and the shape is close to the natural movement of the foot. It may take some time to get used to them at first, but your body will gradually adapt to their movement. If you are uncertain, you should start with walking. Another feature is the foot shape that follows the shape of the foot. By spreading the fingertips, the arches provide support, allowing you to walk and run comfortably with natural movement," says Imai.
