1. Luke’s Locker Proper Shoe Fitting Training Manual
By: Brandon Dion

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3. Main Menu Greet the Customer Identify Needs Treadmill Time
Analyze Arch Type
Identify Foot Type
Neutral
Over-Pronation
Supination
Common Injuries
Proper Measurement
Explanation of Sizing
Identify Cushion Needs
Selecting Shoes
Fitting Shoes Side by Side
Treadmill Time
Analyzing Gait
Final Suggestions
Summary

4. Greet the Customer
Luke’s primary objective is customer service. Always greet the customer by introducing yourself and asking “What brings you in today?”

5. Identify Needs
The best way to identify your customer’s needs, is to simply ask them questions such as:
What types of activities do you intend to use the shoe for? (Running, Walking, Crossfit, Zumba, Boot Camp, Style, etc.)
Are you training for anything right now?
How many miles are you running/walking at a time?

6. Arch Type
Have the customer remove their shoes and stand up. Look at the medial (inside) of each foot and determine whether the customer has a high, normal or flat arch.

7. Identify Foot Type
The next step is to identify whether the customer has a neutral foot, supinates or is an over-pronator. To do this, have the customer walk in a straight line away from you for 8-10 paces and then turn and walk back to you. Crouch down and watch the feet carefully as incorrect amount of stability is one of the 3 major causes of injury for runners, related to footwear.

8. Neutral Foot
A neutral foot will stay in the middle as the person walks with perhaps a slight bit of medial, or inward motion.

9. Over-Pronation
Over-Pronators will have a noticeable amount of medial or inward motion and require a shoe with guidance, stability or motion control, depending on the amount of over-pronation.

10. Supination
Supination occurs in less than 10% of the population and is identified by the foot rolling laterally, or outward. These customers typically have a very high, rigid arch as well.

11. Common Injuries
Some of the common injuries that occur because of improperly fit running shoes and possible causes include:
Shin Splints – Too much stability, lack of cushion/old shoes
Medial (Inside) Knee Pain – Not enough stability
Lateral (Outer) Knee Pain – Too much stability
Central Knee Pain – Lack of cushion/old shoes
Black or Missing Toe Nails – Shoe size too small

12. Proper Measurement
Using a Brannock Device, measure each foot for length and width. Use the measurement of the longest toe (not always the “big toe”) on the longest foot and add one full size. (Ex. Longer foot measures 7.5, shoe size will be 8.5)

13. Explaining Sizing
Explain that this allows foot to swell during exercise and eliminates bruised toenails caused by toes hitting the end of the shoe.
A properly fit running shoe should have a thumb width between the longest toe and the end of the shoe.

14. Cushioning
Next, ask the customer how much cushioning they would like. Minimal, Full Cushion or Max Cushion?
Keep in mind, that cushion typically adds weight.

15. Shoe Selection
Now that you have identified the customers arch, foot type, size and cushion needs you should be able to select 3-4 shoes from different brands that could work for the customer.

16. Side by Side Comparison
Have the customer try each pair as well as compare multiple shoes side by side.
The goal is to find the shoe that contours the bottom of the foot the best and feels the most natural to the customer.

17. Treadmill Time
Once the customer has selected the shoe that feels the most natural, take them to the treadmill to begin gait analysis in the selected shoe.

18. Gait Analysis
Have the customer jog at a comfortable pace for seconds. Watch for hip, knee and ankle alignment. If the customer is staying centered over the shoe and they are not feeling problems with fit, you have done your job.

19. Final Suggestions
If any final adjustments are needed – for instance, the “Runner’s Loop” to snug up a slipping heel, now is time.

20. Summary
Customer service is Luke’s number one priority. By knowing and using the fitting process properly, you will ensure excellent service every time by knowing and serving your customer’s footwear needs.