Simon Jarvis Movement Specialist

16/06/2026

https://www.simonjarvismovementspecialist.com/new-blog-4/how-to-breathe-for-gym-stability-neck-pain

Discover why modern sitting has ruined the way we breathe. Learn how proper diaphragmatic breathing eliminates neck tension and unlocks core strength.

11/06/2026

According to foot and gait specialist Dr. Courtney Conley, those thick, pillowy running shoes are actually sabotaging your strength gains.

Here is why:
* Zero Proprioception: Your feet are packed with sensory receptors meant to feel the ground. Thick cushioning cuts off that communication, leaving your brain guessing about your stability.

* The “Mattress” Effect: Heavy lifting on a squishy sole creates massive instability. Imagine trying to deadlift or squat while standing on a mattress.

If you want to build a strong foundation, you need to let your feet actually touch the floor. Swap the running shoes for flat-soled shoes, minimalist footwear, or go barefoot (if your gym allows it!).

09/06/2026

When you break your ankle, don’t come crying to me. 🤫🏥

Every time your foot hits the floor, that massive stack of soft foam compresses unevenly. If you hit a slight stone, a curb, or a bit of uneven trail, the shoe exaggerates the wobble. Because your foot is so high off the ground, the leverage on your joint is massive—giving you the perfect recipe for a severe ankle roll.

Worse still, because the foam is so thick, it numbs your nervous system.

Your brain can’t even feel that the ankle is turning until it’s already too late and the ligaments are stretched.

You don’t need a thicker mattress under your foot. You need ankle stability and a lower centre of mass.

08/06/2026

Your big toe is “steering” your injury. 🛑👣

If you have a bunion, your big toe is literally angled the wrong way for performance. It can’t extend, which means your arch collapses, and your power “leaks” out the side of your foot.

I don’t just want to “stretch” the toe—I want to re-train it to work under load.

The Bunion “Power” Combo:

1. Toe Spacers: These create the “room” the joint needs to sit in its natural alignment.

2. The Band: By pulling the big toes away from the other toes, we are manually creating the straight line your foot needs for a stable “push-off.”

3. The Calf Raise: This is the magic. We are loading the foot while it’s in a perfect position. This teaches your brain and tendons how to stabilise the arch correctly.

The Result: You aren’t just “fixing a bump.” You’re building a foot that acts like a stiff, powerful spring instead of a flat tire.

The Specialist Rule: Don’t rush these. Feel the big toe “grip” the floor as you rise up. Quality over quantity!

Are your shoes too narrow for your feet? Drop a 👟 in the comments if you want my list of recommended “wide toe box” running shoes!

31/05/2026

This mornings run with the 2 little pests 😂

31/05/2026

This mornings run, involved chasing after a pigeon, and some quality stretching half way through 🤦‍♂️😂

28/05/2026

Who wants to be 15 seconds faster per kilometre?

This is a triple carbon-plated shoe. I’m hoping it’s just AI, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this is real.

If it is real, who’s buying them? 🤦‍♂️😂

27/05/2026

The missing link for a seamless forefoot transition. 🛠️👣

If you are trying to switch from a heel strike to a forefoot strike, you already know your calves and Achilles need to get stronger. But static calf raises can only take you so far.

To actually run on your forefoot without breaking down, you need to teach your feet, ankles, and lower legs how to carry heavy load while moving.

Enter Loaded Carries (aka Farmer’s Walks). 🧳

When you pick up heavy weights and walk, your lower limbs have to rapidly stabilise, absorb impact, and support your entire body weight on one foot at a time. It builds incredible structural capacity through the arches of your feet, your ankles, and your calves.

Think of it as bulletproofing the foundation before you ask it to handle the impact of running.

How to use them:

✅ Farmer’s Walks: Grab a heavy pair of dumbbells or kettlebells.
✅ The Form: Keep your posture tall, step deliberately, and let your feet and ankles completely control the load.
✅ The Goal: Build up the tissue tolerance so your lower legs don’t panic when you shift your running strike forward.

Stop just lifting. Start carrying. 🧠

Drop a 🏋️‍♂️ if you’re adding loaded carries to your routine this week.

25/05/2026

Heel Strike vs Forefoot Strike: The Key Difference in Running Form

This is a great video to explain the difference between heel striking and forefoot striking in running, and show how forefoot striking lands more underneath your body to propel you forward more efficiently.

Stop braking every time you run.

23/05/2026

The hidden cost of changing your foot strike. 🏃‍♂️💨

So, you want to stop heel striking and transition to a forefoot strike?

Brilliant. It’s highly efficient and saves your knees from taking a battering.
But here is what the internet “experts” won’t tell you: Your calves and Achilles are about to take a massive promotion, and right now, they aren’t qualified for the job.

When you switch to a forefoot strike, you are removing the shock absorption from your shoe’s cushioning and placing it entirely onto your lower leg. Your Achilles tendon essentially becomes a giant rubber band, stretching and snapping with every stride.

If you don’t build the tissue capacity before you make the switch, you are fast-tracking your way to a nasty case of Achilles tendinitis or a calf tear.

The Solution? Build capacity first. 🛠️

Before you change how you run on the road, you need to change how you train in the gym. You need endurance and structural tolerance.

The Protocol:
✅ Calf Raises (Focus on a slow, controlled tempo—no bouncing).
✅ Build the Capacity: Start steady, but the goal is to comfortably reach 20 to 30 reps per set with perfect form.

Give your lower legs the capacity to handle the load before you demand it from them on the pavement. 👣

Are you trying to change your running form at the moment? Let me know in the comments. 👇