Customer Reviews

Dr. Nicholas Romanov's Pose Method of Running (Dr. Romanov's Sport Education)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When I first read the Pose Method book, I was a bit skeptical, as it recommended such an incredibly different approach to running. However, after years of intermittent layoffs due to injuries, I was willing to try *anything* to be able to run again.

After reading the entire book and practising running in Pose for a few months, the theories have gelled in my mind, and I can understand exactly where Dr. Romanov is coming from. Now it all seems so clear, I don't see how people can run any other way, and I know why injuries are so terribly common in the running population.

Dr. Romanov provides good theoretical background for the Pose Method, explained in layman's terms, with a nice, chatty tone. In fact, the tone of the entire book is helpful, friendly, and supportive. It is neither dry nor didactic, even when reviewing the grounding in physics needed to understand the action of gravity in assisting ones running.

One can tell by reading this work that Dr. Romanov's goal is to help people run -- nothing more, nothing less. He has discovered perhaps the greatest key ever found to running with fewer injuries and less effort and is sharing that discovery with the running world.

The book contains many drills, exercises and stretches, which are extremely good to have on hand for future reference long after the reader has absorbed the text. Illustrations are good, probably about an 8 on a scale of 1-10. Sometimes it's hard to track exactly what movement is being requested, or what the difference in execution or benefit is between one and another. However, doing a few, or doing all over time, can only be helpful.

Dr. Romanov wraps up this book with ways to review ones progress, and to identify and correct errors in form. This helps the self-taught student avoid stumbling into common pitfalls, and instead optimize results without necessarily having the benefit of personal coaching.

Any runner who is tired of being injured, or who has reached a plateau in speed and is willing to revolutionize his or her form in order to reach a higher level of performance would benefit from and enjoy this book. A great read, and a great value.

Okay, this review will be a little... different. I have a LOT of criticisms against this book, and I will mention them first.

CONs.

1. PRICE. I bet you're all complaining about this ridiculous price, and even after purchasing this book, I still cringe knowing how much I paid for it. Oh, sure, it's worth it (else I wouldn't have given it five stars), but it's just a book, for heaven's sake! I mean, the price is in the range of coffeetable collector-type hardcover books with great pictures. Perhaps the Pose people shouldn't self-publish -- maybe they should get a publisher so that this book will be more in the $14.95 range. Then again, going to a Pose clinic is tons more expensive, but still... it's a high price (and none of that usual "20% off from Amazon" type of discount, too!)

2. OVERLY VERBOSE. Some people say it's "chatty"... well, as chatty as an American can get with a Russian scientist (haha!, sorry, Dr. R!). Then again, Dr. Romanov IS a Russian SCIENTIST, and a running sports scientist at that. But this book is overly verbose. It's about 300 pages. If someone were to make a Cliff's Notes version, the handbook could be condensed to probably about 25 pages or so. But you didn't order a Cliff's Notes version. And yet, I think that a good condensation of this book (not a mere distillation of ideas), and if Dr. Romanov were American or a native English speaker/writer, I think this book could have been done in 200 pages or less. For instance, the first few chapters are trying to convince you that the Pose Method is THE best method of running. Hey, I already bought the book, so could we get on with the details?

But when I say overly verbose, if you think this review is already lengthy, try chatting it up with Dr. Romanov. Go to his website, and see his video segments there that expound on the little details -- and you'll see that even in his videos which are about 3 minutes, someone else could have probably done it in under 2 minutes. Is it because he's Russian and still translating in his head? Could be.

Overly verbose: there's just too much detail that sometimes it gets boring to read, that it detracts from the original idea. However, I'll take that anytime over lacking detail. It's just that it could have been more CONCISE, and still convey Dr. Romanov's ideas completely.

3. PICTURES. There are almost no PICTURES, but there are lots of ILLUSTRATIONS. This is a minor complaint, as the illustrations have a lot of detail and are anatomically correct, but, in this reviewer's opinion, more pictures could have been added (but I guess you could buy the companion DVD, but <gasp!> look at the price on that thing! ... that said, I'll probably order it anyway).

Okay, that was a lot of CONs. Now the PROs: Well, there's only one:

THIS BOOK TEACHES YOU HOW TO RUN CORRECTLY.

I am a firm believer in the Pose method. And guess what? What I spent buying this book, I save on SHOES!!! I now go for racing flats (normally half the price of those ultra-cushioning-structured-high tech shoes). It was a bit hard transitioning to the POSE method, and after my calves were in knots after just a few kilometers (heh! metric system, fellas, METRIC system! haha!), I thought "Man, this Pose method has to make my muscles re-learn how to run... OR, there must be something wrong with what I'm doing." True enough, it was the latter -- I was still pushing off (propulsive action) rather than just free-falling (confused about the terminology? get the book and you'll see what that's all about). I still have to master the Pose method, and running still gets my calves to ache (note to self: don't focus on the landing, focus on the pulling off the ground).

Do read the other reviews here. By and large, they have positive things to say about the Pose method, and this review has been overly verbose as it is (must be contagious). And yet, with this one PRO, it makes up for all the CONs, and this book gets the five stars it deserves.

Do note, my criticisms are not against the POSE method, but on the book (price, length, pics). Too bad there aren't any Pose clinics/seminars yet in my country!

So, here ends the review, and hope you found it useful. Despite the price, I urge everyone to get the book.

This book is the real thing. After reading and doing some of the exercises in this book, I can run a mile more than a full minute faster at the same level of effort as I did before applying the Pose Method. And I have not even started to do more mileage or interval training, which I had given up years ago because it always led to more injuries. Another benefit from my using the Pose Method is that my knees no longer hurt after several miles, and the burning I used to get in my quadriceps muscles (front thighs) after long runs is gone. This is directly related to Dr. Romanov's points about landing on one's toes. I also notice that my hamstrings(muscles at back of thighs) are getting stronger and larger,without incurring injury. I have always wondered why most of the elite distance runners, especially the Africans, have such large thighs, especially their hamstrings. Now I know, they naturally and unconsciously run according to most or all of the principles of the Pose Method! If you don't believe me, videotape or Tivo an elite running race, and watch the runners in slow motion. And notice how well developed their hamstrings are compared to those of the average recreational runner.

Reading this book, watching myself run, and remembering how I used to run thirty years ago, it occurs to me that many young people instinctively run with the pose method, and that age, injuries (running and non-running related), a sedentary lifestyle, and age-related atrophy of abdominal, back, and hip muscles all combine to turn our running form into the worst type of ground-pounding jogging. Many people who give up running or jogging say they do so because their joints cannot take the pounding anymore. They assume that the pounding has always accompanied their running, and it is just that their bodies cannot take the same amount of stress as when they were younger. Well, there have been recent studies that suggest young runners actually place less mechanical "pounding" stress on their bodies than older runners running at the same or slower speeds. Dr. Romanov's book makes many points addressing the reduction or elimination of inefficient and harmful pounding mechanical stresses during running. In a very real sense, this book can be a fountain of youth for runners. It will give you back your younger running speeds and times, prevent recurrence of injuries, making you the runner you were when you were younger, or even better.

The Pose Method was initially counter-intuitive to this runner, whose running form had gradually deteriorated through the years. But it does work and it works wonders. You have nothing to lose but your injuries and frustrations of not running faster and farther. Dr. Romanov is doing the running community a great service. He truly does want everyone to be the best runner possible, and injury-free at that. Also, get the video or DVD to see exactly what Dr. Romanov means in the exercise drills.

From reading other reviews of this book, there seems to be some confusion. I'm not normally moved to write a book review but this time I can't let it lie.

For me the key is the second word in the title of the book: "method". It is a big step forward from knowing how we should be running to how we can *learn* to run more efficiently and therefore more injury free (and hopefully faster). This is the innovation. Otherwise we could just watch a video of Haile Gebrselassie over and over again...

I have tried several times unsuccessfully to run on the balls of my feet, already being convinced that this should be more efficient. It is certainly true that, if you were to run barefoot, you wouldn't consider landing on your heels (ouch).

For me, the first barrier has always been that it is initially even more tiring (evidenced by the fact that my pulse rate would increase running at the same speed). This is not surprising: different muscles are being used differently, something which the body takes time to adjust to. The point is that you really need understand and believe the new technique to perservere with it. It is true that the book is a little repetitive, saying essentially the same handful of principles in different ways, but this is the best way to reinforce the understanding, just as running is itself a repetitive motion.

The second barrier has been that in previous attempts my calf muscles have ended up tightening so much that I have barely been able to walk, let alone run. The method makes a huge deal of the need to precondition the body in terms of strength, coordination and flexibility. In fact, you are not recommended to go out and run until half way through the book! Not only that, but there is a very helpful appendix which diagnoses your mistakes in technique by the particular pain you are experiencing. The upshot is that you should not have any pain if you are doing it right. Seems logical.

The method is somewhat contraversial because it goes against conventional running wisdom in that you are encouraged to run in "flats" - that is to say, shoes with very little cushioning. In my gym I was getting told off for running in lightweight shoes to the point where I had to show them the website on Pose running (www.posetech.com)! I have a torn meniscus from before and I really notice that the impact on my knee is greatly reduced. Instead of thud, thud, thud, I can hear tap, tap, tap.

I got into running again fairly recently and was surprised how little there was written on technique: it is assumed that we have all got a God given technique, something that is clearly not the case just watching how most people run. I have also read the book on Chi running which I found to be much less scientific and to be very weak on how to learn the tecnique. Nevertheless, it is good on the importance of having a strong trunk - but perhaps it could have been explained with physics instead of eastern mysticism.

I have yet to compete using this tecnique, but after just a month of practising, I went out for an hour run just now and covered 5% extra distance at the same pulse rate... and this time I am not being held back by pain in the calf muscles. So it is looking good so far!

I was put onto this by a friend who has always been extremely fit and who ran the London Marathon in 2007 in 3:15 and, after learning the Pose technique, ran it in 2008 in 2:52...

I am a 36 years old recreational runner/marathoner. I found out about Pose method by accident browsing the net some time ago. I stumbled upon Mr. Romanov's website, and was quite impressed by the promise of injury free running.
After buying/reading the book I have to say, that it is poorly written, full of typos, and the first 100 pages or so are there only to sell the Pose method, which is beyond the point really, as I already bought an expensive paperback. I guess it could be condensed into 20 pages max.
Having said that, the book made me think, and the method works. Yes, there is a real increase in speed and cadence without much perceived effort, however there must be strength training and stretching that goes with it should I want to switch 100% to pose method.
To sum it up - it should be a very expensive brochure rather than a book full of filler material. Thats a letdown. BUT IT WORKS. I would recommend this book to a friend.

Frank, Latvia

I brought the book and the DVD about 8 weeks ago. I have been using the method since then. Initially my calves hurt alot. But, I think I overdid it. My first run using the method was 3 miles..then a week later..it was 8 miles. Any way after, 6 weeks the calves pain went away. I did my first 50K run using the method a few days ago. It was amazing how easy and effortless it felt. I did the same run last year with my old heel to toe method and my hip and legs ached afterward. What a contrast. I'm working now to increase by speed via faster turnover. I recommend this method to everyone having chronic injuries. BTW..I was originally going to buy the chi running book but it just had too much "new age", "spiritual" stuff. The pose book had more hard technique and method..none of that soft, touchy, feely stuffs...

Many of us, who loves running, consider it to be one of the most natural and innate human abilities.
"Why bother about running technique? - Just pile up the mileage, improve endurance and be ready for races." This is the typical approach for training for the vast majority of runners.
Proper running technique is not just underestimated but simply ignored subject even for experienced runners.
The POSE method of running fills the very important gap in literature about running - this book TEACHES how to run correctly. Correctly means fast easy and injury free. This book is not about newly developed way of running - everything about running technique already developed and top-notch athletes demonstrate many examples of perfect running style.
The great achievement of Dr. Romanov is development of concept that not SHOWS but rather gives PERCEPTION of proper running technique. Author builds this perception through the number of thoroughly selected concepts and examples. Second part of the book advance reader from theory to practice. Building of correct running starts from the mastering of basic skills with the help of various drills (companion DVD is highly recommended for good understanding of drills).
Finally Dr. Romanov gives to reader some thoughts about mental preparation for training - which is one of the serious issues on the way to good running performance.
Personally, I really admire with this book - although I am a runner with a more than 20 years of experience - this book in some extend opened my eyes on running. I'm mastering the POSE method for about 3 months. Although it was a challenge at the beginning to break old well-developed habits of running and adopt new techniques - now I really discovered a new world of running - running with far higher speed lightness and satisfaction.

If someone was going to take up swimming, golf or tennis it is common to take lessons or read a book to learn the correct and most effective technique. When people take up running, this almost never happens. Usually, beginning runners jump right in using whatever running technique they used when they first ran for the school bus. When runners do buy a book it is usually about how much running they should do, how fast they should go and what do do about the injuries that inevitably follow an inefficient stride.

The Pose method of Running goes back to the beginning and breaks down the actual motions of running and describes the ideal form. It is published in multiple relatively short chapters. This helped me understand the points that were made and made it more readable. It is author's philosophy that running technique can be a learned skill that it is the most easily changeable variable that leads to far less injuries and a faster pace.

The text explains that the Pose method is the unlike the conventional running stride where you land on your heel and roll to push off. Just the opposite, the book details the method where you land on the ball of your foot, and actually pull your foot off the ground. The book contains the right amount of description and motivated me to give the method a try. It seemed impossible at first because it was difficult to maintain this form for even a quarter mile. The concept of landing and pulling off the pavement takes time to get used to. It is an unusual sensation to run like this in the beginning, you almost feel like a carton character. After three or four sessions it became easier and more coordinated. In a few weeks I was comfortable with it and found it actually easier than trying to stride out and land on your heels like I had done for years.

This book shatters convention in the field of running, it is not training book like so many others. The in depth information covered serves as a basis to implement this new technique into your own running. As I read, and later as I learned the technique, this 49 year old began to wonder what my race times would have been like in my 20's or 30's if I would have read it back then.

For all the time, effort and enthusiasm that the millions of runners from recreational to professional levels put into the sport, I would highly recommend this book and the Pose method of running in general. This is the first really new thing in running since the concept of cross training, it is sure worth a try.

I am a 40-something lifetime sports enthusiast, with an arthritic knee. I am very health conscious and work out several days per week. I limit my running to dirt paths, and do not compete. I have stayed abreast of new developments in performance training by various leading authors. I have participated in sports my whole life, both organized and recreational. I realized that despite all this participation in sports for decades, I had never received any formal instruction on running technique. I had also found that if I asked ten people about running form and footstrike, I'd get ten opinions, all a bit different. So I searched the web and landed on this book. The book teaches excellent form, and has exceptional agility and flexibilty drills. The drills really help with mastering the sensations of running with balance on the forefoot. My running has become more fluid, less painful, much faster and much more fun. Imagine running without pain ... and I have a tender knee! Anyone looking for a fast path to more enjoyable running should read this book.

This book does a great job introducing the concepts of Pose running. It starts with basic theory, and then works its way into practical application. It has lot of drills to help you learn the "feel" of Pose running, as well as plenty of exercises to condition your muscles for the demands of the new running technique.

Perhaps, as another reviewer suggested, you can find all of this information on the web for free. But surely the time you would spend searching would not be worth the money you would save. This book has it all in one convenient place.

I switched over to the Pose style several weeks ago, and have already seen the benefits, including increased speed and the elimination of the need for clunky running shoes.

The only negative about the book is that some of the explanations are little confusing (forgivable given English is not the author's native language) and the font style choice was less than optimal.