Sport Chalet Helps Runners Find Their Perfect Stride

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sport Chalet, Inc., a specialty sporting goods retailer, is making it easier for runners to train effectively right out of the "gait." By accurately fitting athletes with the correct running shoe through extensive online shoe advice, a vast selection of styles including top industry brands, such as adidas™, Asics™, Brooks™, New Balance™, Nike™, Reebok™ and Saucony™ and custom in-store gait assessments, Sport Chalet customers can successfully meet their running goals.

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Running shoe styles for men and women are available for purchase at the 52 store locations throughout Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah and also can be found through the Sport Chalet online store. The online store makes it easy for customers who have already determined their perfect running shoe to simply make a repeat purchase. For those looking to get educated, prior to selecting their shoe of choice, Sport Chalet offers online shoe advice to help define pronation, foot and gait type.

Customers near a Sport Chalet store location can also take part in a complimentary, in-store gait analysis conducted by a Sport Chalet Expert to determine the athlete's correct running shoe based on stride, body type and fitness goals. The 15-minute assessment examines the different factors that go into each individual's running style, resulting in an educated product recommendation.

Whether shopping online or in-store, below are five tips from Sport Chalet Running Expert and Footwear Buyer, Robert Follett, on how to choose the correct running shoe:

• Move Your Feet – How your foot rolls from heel to toe is referred to as pronation and is an indication of where your foot takes most of the shock while running. An uneven roll that causes the outside of your foot to absorb the most shock (underpronator) requires a cushioned running shoe like the Asics Gel Nimbus Running Shoe. If there is too much roll from the outside to the inside of your foot (overpronator), a motion-control running shoe like Brooks Men's Beast Running Shoe is a solution. For an even roll (neutral pronator), styles like the Saucony Ride Running Shoe for women and adidas Supernova Glide Running Shoes for men provide the best stability and comfort.
• Consider Your Arch Height – For high arches, a running shoe like New Balance 990 Running Shoe offers added cushioning. A low arch pairs best with styles that are designed for motion-control, and normal arches should consider running shoes with added stability, such as the Asics GT-2000 Running Shoe for women.
• Think About Your Environment – Depending on what type of surface you run on and in what type of weather (cold, wet, hot, humid, etc.), the characteristics of your running shoe should vary to accommodate your feet in any environment. Among others, explore lightweight, ventilated, trail or water-resistant running shoe styles.
• Exercise Your Brand – While you may have a loyalty to one brand, remember to keep your options open when deciding on what running shoe works best for you. Different brands offer different features, so it might benefit you to switch brands that align with your fitness milestones.

"It is our mission to provide athletes and running enthusiasts with not only the best selection of footwear but also, a personalized experience that matches the customer with the correct equipment based on their fitness needs," said Follett. "This personalized experience is fielded through our highly trained Experts who post weekly tips on the blog and are staffed to help test, fit and ensure you're on your way to your running goals."

For more information on Sport Chalet's selection of running shoes and footwear, and to find the Sport Chalet location nearest you, visit www.sportchalet.com. To speak with a Sport Chalet Expert or for additional media inquiries, contact [email protected].  

About Sport Chalet

Sport Chalet (Nasdaq: SPCHA, SPCHB)  is a premier, full service specialty sporting goods retailer featuring the industry's top sports brands in apparel, footwear, and sports equipment. Founded in 1959 by Norbert Olberz, the company has 52 stores in Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah; an online store at www.sportchalet.com; a Team Sales division; and offers more than 50 specialty services for the sports enthusiast, including online same day delivery, climbing, backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, avalanche education, and mountain trekking instruction, car rack installation, snowboard and ski rental and repair, Scuba training and certification, Scuba boat charters, team sales, gait analysis, baseball/softball glove steaming and lacing, racquet stringing, and bicycle tune-up and repair at its store locations. For more information, visit Sport Chalet at www.sportchalet.com.

SOURCE Sport Chalet, Inc.