RunnnSphere

The Muscle Runners from Antepes are innovative shoes designed for forefoot running, and I tested a pair to experience their comfort and unique design. These shoe are specifically designed to ease a forefoot strike by eliminating the unnecessary and hindering cushioning under the heel and placing the majority of the cushioning under the forefoot and aligned with the ball of the foot.

I tested a pair of Muscle Runners during a workout, replacing my regular spikes with these shoes. I prefer to switch to spikes at the end of a workout to increase forefoot strike as my legs tire. To gauge their suitability, I wore the Muscle Runners on the second half of the workout. The workout aimed to assess the shoes’ comfort over longer distances, as their unique design ensures the feet stay on the balls of the foot.

Workout:
2 sets of 4x400m + 1600m
1st set – I wore the Vimazi Z30s.
2nd set – I wore the Muscle Runners.

After completing the first workout set, I switched to the Muscle Runners, which immediately provided a unique feeling due to their small heel cushion, allowing me to walk on the balls of my feet. The 400m reps were faster, allowing me to anticipate their performance before the 1600m rep. The first 400m rep required me to immediately run on the balls of my feet, similar to the impact of spikes. These shoes offer more cushioning than spikes, making them an excellent alternative for those seeking less impact on the legs.

The shoes provided a comfortable fit during the 400m reps, allowing for improved gait focus. They are ideal for 400m repeats due to their forefoot strike concept, similar to spikes, making them a valuable addition to your rotation. I did run a few seconds faster on the second set of 400s than in the first set. Now it was time for the real test, the 1600m rep. The reason I wanted to test the Muscle Runners for a longer distance was to see if there will be any change in my gait. I aimed to see the post-impact effects of running with a forefoot strike for 1600m, focusing on muscle soreness and the impact of the shoes.

I focused on my legs and gait during each lap, feeling similar through the first 400 meters. I felt in control on the second lap, hitting a forefoot strike. After 800 meters, I felt that my gait was looking for that midfoot strike, but my feet were still striking on the front part of the shoe. Heading into that final lap I tried to stay upright and keep that forefoot strike all the way to the line. The calves were experiencing fatigue as the 1600m rep came to an end, with the pace being about 10 seconds faster than the first set, despite feeling like the effort was the same. After completing the workout, the main muscle group that I expected to be sore was the calves.

Completing this workout and trying the Muscle Runners for the first time I experienced DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). My calves were the muscle group that experienced soreness for the three days following the workout. I believe running the 1600m rep is what caused the soreness to go for three days as my calf muscles had to work overtime. I would recommend to keep the load smaller when you first give these shoes a try to not experience the soreness that I went through. The included Fascia Crusher, which is a patented dual-surface massage roller, I would highly recommended to use after your first experience with the Muscle Runners.

To conclude this review, the Muscle Runners offer a beneficial concept for athletes who desire to run fast on their feet without compromising their gait. Muscle Runners are ideal for runners running 800 meters or down, particularly sprinters. They can be used as an alternative to spikes for mid-distance runners and distance runners with shorter workouts. However, they may be harder to wear for longer distances due to their design in my opinion. Sprinters are the main group that could benefit from these shoes, but anyone is capable of benefiting from the unique concept of the Muscle Runners.

Go to https://antepes.com/RUNNNSPHERE to learn more about the Muscle Runners and their unique concept. Give them a try and remember to use code RUNNNSPHERE to receive 20% off your order.

By Chris Cabret