Gait Analysis
Move Better, Feel the Difference.
studies validate
this approach
Your Movement
Tells the Full Story
How you move is unique to you. Small imbalances in your gait, invisible to the naked eye, accumulate over time and lead to injury, discomfort, and reduced performance. Whether you are training for a marathon, walking for fitness, or simply struggling with persistent foot pain, a professional biomechanical assessment is the most accurate way to understand what is happening and how to address it.
Our podiatry-based assessment reveals alignment issues, overpronation, and movement patterns linked to common running and walking injuries, before they sideline you.
From plantar fasciitis and heel pain to flat feet and general foot fatigue, our assessment helps identify the root cause and find footwear that provides genuine, lasting support.
Not all shoes are equal. We match your unique biomechanics to footwear that supports and enhances your natural movement, not a generic category off the shelf.
Correct biomechanics mean more efficient movement. Reduce energy waste, improve your stride, and protect your joints for the long term.
"More than 50% of runners suffer some form of musculoskeletal injury each year, with the majority attributed to training errors and biomechanical factors."
Systematic Review of Running Gait Analysis Technology, Journal of Orthopaedics, 2024. Kumar R et al. (43 studies, 2,175 articles reviewed)What Is Gait Analysis?
Gait analysis is the study of how you move when you walk or run. We record your stride, measure how your foot loads through each step, and look at how your ankle, knee and hip behave as your foot strikes the ground and pushes off again.
What it tells us most clearly is your pronation, meaning the way your foot rolls inward as it lands. Pronation is normal and necessary, because it is how your body absorbs impact. What matters is how much of it you do, because that determines the kind of shoe that will work with your movement rather than against it.
Which Shoe Type Suits Your Gait?
Your foot rolls inward a moderate, controlled amount. Cushioned shoes let that motion happen naturally. Also the right choice for underpronators, whose feet roll inward less than average.
Shop Neutral Shoes →Your foot rolls inward further than it needs to. Supportive shoes guide the motion and hold the arch without fighting it.
Shop Support Shoes →A smaller, specialist range for pronounced overpronation and flatter feet, where a firmer and more structured shoe gives the most control.
Shop Motion Control →Not sure which you are? That is exactly what a gait analysis answers. Guessing from a description is not the same as measuring it.
Book an appointment →Your 6-Step Assessment
A thorough biomechanical assessment and gait analysis completed in just 30 minutes, suitable for every runner, walker, and anyone dealing with foot pain or discomfort.
We start with you. Your goals, terrain, experience level, and any injury or foot pain history are all discussed. We also examine the wear patterns on your current footwear, which can be a surprisingly revealing window into your gait.
Using podiatry-based clinical tests, we evaluate your alignment, posture, foot movements, joint range of motion, and knee tracking, identifying patterns associated with injury risk and discomfort.
Step onto our 3D foot scanner and let technology do the rest. We capture your foot's true shape: length, width, volume, and arch height, in precise three dimensions, giving us an exact fit profile to work from.
Our pressure mapping system visualises exactly how your foot loads with every step, highlighting high-pressure zones, asymmetries, and areas that may contribute to discomfort or injury over time.
Walk or run on our treadmill while our specialists record your movement using Dartfish software, a professional tool used to capture and measure your ground strike pattern, pronation, and running form in precise detail.
Armed with your full data picture, our team handpick a curated selection of shoes matched to your biomechanical profile. You test-run each pair before deciding, so you leave with footwear you know works for you.
Your Full Analysis,
Sent to Your Inbox
Your gait analysis doesn't end when you leave the store. We email you a complete, personalised breakdown of your results, so you can revisit every detail at your own pace and understand exactly why we made the recommendations we did.
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Your foot analysis & measurements
Length, width, volume, and arch height captured in precise 3D, for both feet.
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Your pressure heatmap
A clear visual map showing exactly how you load through each step, highlighting your unique pressure points.
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Personalised recommendations
The footwear, insole, and support guidance tailored to your biomechanics, all in one place for future reference.
Precision
Foot Mapping
Our 3D foot scanning technology is the gold-standard in foot measurement, used by elite performance labs worldwide. We were among the very first running specialists in the UK to bring it into store, because we believe your feet deserve more than a guess. Your feet are not average. Your measurement should not be either.
Captures the exact geometry of both feet: length, width, volume, and arch height, far beyond the flat 2D tracing used in most shoe shops.
Visualises exactly where and how load is distributed across your foot as you move, revealing compensation patterns invisible to the naked eye.
Professional software dissects your gait frame by frame, identifying overpronation, supination, and asymmetries that cause cumulative injury over time.
The technology tells us the facts. Our staff know what to do with them. Years of hands-on fitting experience mean we translate your scan data into a shoe that genuinely works for you as an individual.
See Your Gait
in Real Data
The pressure heatmap reveals everything: from asymmetric loading to toe-off mechanics. Our specialists translate this into clear, actionable recommendations for footwear, insoles, and form. You leave with answers, not guesswork.
Custom Insole
Fitting
A great shoe is only part of the picture. For runners, walkers, and anyone dealing with persistent foot discomfort, our custom insole fitting service builds on your gait analysis to create a personalised foundation inside your footwear, addressing specific biomechanical needs that an off-the-shelf insole simply cannot match.
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Personalised to your biomechanics
Designed using the data gathered during your gait analysis, targeting your specific foot shape, arch profile, and movement patterns.
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Reduce pain and prevent injury
Correct overpronation, supination, and uneven load distribution that contribute to knee, hip, and lower back discomfort.
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Works in any shoe
Custom insoles are transferable between footwear, so your investment protects you whether you are on road, trail, or gym floor.
Straightforward Pricing
A small deposit secures your appointment. If you find your perfect shoe on the day, it comes straight off the bill.
Secures your 30-minute appointment at either store.
- Goals, terrain & injury history consultation
- Podiatry-based biomechanical assessment
- Slow-motion treadmill gait recording & analysis
- 3D foot scan: length, width, volume & arch
- Expert shoe selection & test-run fitting
- Insole & performance sock consultation
⏱ Approx. 30 minutes · Walk-ins welcome, booking recommended
Shoes typically replaced every 300-500 miles
Found the same shoe cheaper elsewhere? We will match the price. See our price match policy →
Two Locations.
Same Unrivalled Service.
An independent family business fitting runners and walkers for over 45 years, with genuine care and real expertise at both stores.
Visit our Portsmouth store for your full gait analysis and biomechanical assessment. Walk-ins are welcome, but booking ahead is recommended to secure your preferred time slot.
Our Christchurch location offers the full range of gait analysis services. Appointments are available throughout the week, so book ahead to avoid any wait.
In-Store Podiatry
Available
For customers dealing with complex foot conditions, persistent pain, or concerns that go beyond footwear, our qualified in-store podiatrists are available for specialist appointments at both locations. Whether you are a runner, walker, or simply on your feet all day, we have the expertise to help.
The Right Shoes
Change Everything
Whether you are training for your first 5K, walking through discomfort, or simply tired of feet that ache, a full biomechanical assessment could change everything. An independent family business with over 45 years of genuine expertise, we have helped thousands of customers across Portsmouth and Christchurch find their perfect fit.
Book Your Assessment →£30 deposit, deducted from any footwear purchase on the day · 30 minutes · Portsmouth & Christchurch
Common Questions
Everything you need to know before booking your gait analysis or biomechanical assessment.
What is a gait analysis and how does it work?
Gait analysis is the study of how you move when you walk or run. At Alexandra Sports it is a 30-minute, six-step assessment: a consultation about your goals and injury history, podiatry-based clinical tests, a 3D scan of both feet, pressure mapping, slow-motion video of you on the treadmill, and a fitting session that uses everything we have just measured.
What does a gait analysis tell you?
Most obviously, your pronation: how far your foot rolls inward as it lands. It also shows your arch height and foot volume in three dimensions, where pressure concentrates through each step, and any differences between your left and right side. Together those tell us which shoes will suit the way you actually move.
Is a gait analysis worth it?
Yes. Running or walking in the wrong footwear will almost always lead to injury and discomfort over time. A 30-minute biomechanical assessment can significantly improve your comfort, reduce your injury risk, and give you confidence in every step.
How much does it cost?
Your gait analysis is free with the purchase of any footwear. A £30 deposit is taken at the time of booking and is deducted from the price of any footwear bought in-store on the day, making the full assessment completely free with purchase.
How long does a gait analysis take?
About 30 minutes for the full six-step assessment, including trying shoes on the treadmill. Allow a little longer if you want to test several pairs.
What should I wear and what should I bring?
Wear something you can run in comfortably, ideally shorts or leggings that leave your ankles visible so we can see your movement clearly. Bring your current running or walking shoes if you have them, because the wear pattern on the sole tells us a lot.
Do I have to book, or can I just walk in?
You are welcome to walk in, but we highly recommend booking in advance. Booked appointments always take priority over walk-ins, so booking guarantees your slot and avoids a wait.
Can I book an assessment without buying anything?
Absolutely. There is no commitment to purchase. You can book an appointment for our gait analysis and biomechanical assessment with no obligation to buy on the day. Your £30 deposit is simply held until your appointment.
Where can I get a gait analysis near me?
We offer the full gait analysis and biomechanical assessment at both our stores, in Portsmouth and in Christchurch, Dorset. Both have the same equipment and the same trained fitters, and both take bookings throughout the week.
Can I do a gait analysis at home or online?
You can learn something from filming yourself running, and it is better than nothing. What you cannot do at home is measure how pressure is distributed across your foot, capture your foot geometry in three dimensions, or test the recommendations on a treadmill with someone who fits shoes for a living. We do not offer an online assessment for that reason.
My physio or podiatrist has referred me. What should I do?
Book an appointment as normal and tell the fitter you have been referred, along with anything you have been told about your feet or your gait. If your situation goes beyond footwear, we have qualified podiatrists in store at both locations who can see you separately.
How often should I have a gait analysis?
We recommend a new gait analysis every time you purchase a new pair of running shoes, or at least every 8 to 12 months, whichever comes first. Your gait changes over time, so it is worth reassessing regularly rather than assuming the same shoe will always suit you.
Is there such a thing as a normal running gait?
No. Everyone has a unique gait pattern. That is exactly why a personalised biomechanical assessment is so valuable: it looks at your movement specifically, not an assumed average.
What if I just need advice?
Our team are always happy to help. You can reach us by phone, email, or simply pop into either store and speak with a member of staff. No appointment needed for a quick chat.