Improve your

Running Technique

The Balanced Runner is here to help you improve your running for performance, injury prevention and enjoyment.

Online Running Technique Program

The online program is specifically designed for you to improve your running. The core program is built from insights from working with hundreds of runners from beginner through to Olympians. An exclusive and unique video series for you to work through step-by-step to achieve your running goals.

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In Person Coaching Sessions

Paul is located in Melbourne, Australia and also regularly travels to Queensland to conduct sessions. In addition to the online program, Paul is also available for in-person one-to-one sessions. If you are in Australia, or have an enquiry, please get in touch.

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Why do you need to improve your running technique?

The Balanced Runner philosophy is about running technique coaching for performance, injury prevention and enjoyment.

Running is a skill and movement pattern that can be learnt and improved, just like a golf swing, football kick or tennis backhand. A poor movement pattern in running can result in injury, earlier onset of fatigue, or it may be limiting power and speed.

The Balanced Runner philosophy has been developed over time to allow runners to feel their improvements by focusing on cues and not outcomes. With a top-down approach, starting with the upper body and gradual improvements over time that has been proven to work for hundreds of runners to improve their technique and achieve their goals.

In Melbourne, Australia, Paul Mackinnon has developed his reputation as an expert over many years, working with athletes of all levels from beginner through to Olympic Finalists and National Record Holders. We are now excited to be able to bring this expertise to an international audience through the online program to help as many athletes as possible to run faster, injury free and enjoy their running more.

About The Balanced Runner | Running Technique Coach

Don’t just take our word for it

Testimonials and reviews of the Balanced Runner online membership and in-person sessions.

‘Obsessed’

10 days in and I’m still obsessed. I imagine everyone has elements to our stride that they lament, mine has always been pain in my hips. That’s been my weakness.

A week after working with The Balanced Runner maintaining proper cues still takes focus, but when my arms are up and forward my momentum swings past my hips, saving them from the “slamming” of my momentum wash stride.

It’s exciting to have a strategy to feel fast and smooth even late in each run.

Peter Bromka, 2.19 Marathoner

‘On Just One Leg’

First of all, a huge, sincere “thank you” from Italy – this program re-balanced me after 10 years of running “on just one leg” after a double surgery – you really gave me hope and joy for going out running every day.

Again, thank you guys, excellent job, really.

Giuseppe, Online TBR Member

‘Tried them all’

I’ve truly benefited from your program and review the “Cues” before every run.

Your top down method and the way you explain works for me and I’ve tried them all, Chi, Diaz, Romanov, etc.

Thank you!

David, Online TBR Member

'In the parking lot'

This man did more for me in 20 minutes in a parking lot and some cones than any drill or form session in my 27 years on earth.

Julian Heninger, BTC Athlete

'New Half-Marathon PB'

I really loved the course & appreciated every aspect of it. I knocked a couple of minutes off my half marathon PB after just a couple of cues, so really did learn and grow from it. I will definitely be back for more after a little break over the warmer weather.

Thanks again.

Marcia, Online TBR Member

'Considerable Benefit'

I think the videos are amazing. Felt a considerable benefit already, as soon as I did the arm drive was insane really. Also feeling that the larger upper muscles in my leg are really starting to work now. I think my stride length has improved without even thinking of that, whereas before I was forcing it to see if it would lengthen. The points you speak about really made a lot of sense to me.

James, Online TBR Member

'Immediate benefits'

TBRunner benefits has been immediate and huge for me. Even by implementing the first cue, and then the subsequent ones soon after – I have seen my pace come down by over 40 seconds.

This happened in just a week! Paul’s help has made me competitive virtually overnight. I’m blown away. Thank you.

David H, Online TBR Member

'Controlled and stable'

First month as an online member. Just about to move on from arm swing. I use a stryd pod and I feel more efficient hitting power number. In fact I took 15 seconds off my 5k PB at a lower power. Looking forward to continuing through the cues.

John, Online TBR Member

'400m Olympian'

Paul has been an amazing guide for helping me break down the movements that my upper and lower body have been doing in my running. From the first session his unique cues immediately reduced my upper shoulder rotation which helped me take pressure off my Achilles injury. Each session Paul has helped me build on the previous cues which has balanced up my arm swing and reduced my hip rotation. These new simple cues are saving me energy and time in each run and will prevent me from future injuries as well.

Monica Brennan, Australia Representative

'Firing on all cylinders'

I just wanted to say thanks for putting the online program together. After completing the program I couldn’t be happier with my running. My self awareness is greatly increased and I’m firing on all cylinders. I used the pause feature so I can quickly come back a few months a year or any time in case I take a wrong turn. Thanks again.

Josh Galicia, Online TBR Member

'Finally Pain Free'

I've been following your subscription drills, made some immense gains and finally running pain free for the first time ever.

Josh Smith, Online TBR Member

'You are a saint'

You are a saint. I have had dysfunction in my running for 10 out of the 14 years. I could barely run for 20 minutes without my legs locking up. I couldn't afford your one on one sessions and left the sport of triathlon for 2 years. I'm getting ready for an Ironman now and the change of your first cue video changed my stride in my first run. It was an easy frequency run but I felt strong and natural!! Thank you so much.

Online TBR Member

'Shin Splints'

Since we last had a session (which I think is almost a year ago), I've not experienced a single instance of shin splints bad enough to stop me from running for any period of time. My running has gone from strength to strength, where I now feel confident enough to enter events.

I've gone from being able to run a half marathon and immediately breaking down for multiple months, to running two in the last six months. I ran sub 2:00 in December, then sub 1:50 in March. I can cruise at around 4:25/km and not feel any ill effect afterwards; I could even back up the next day if I like.

I'm looking at entering more trail runs to build up distance and resilience. I am having more fun running now than I think I ever have and the freedom to do this with no pain and no long term issues is extraordinary for my mental health.

I've recommended you to anyone and everyone I know who is experiencing issues with running or is starting for the first time. I know you must get emails like this all the time but what you did for me in basically three sessions has changed how I run and by extension has changed my life.

I can't thank you enough. I remember you saying before our first session that if your techniques didn't work you'd give me my money back because you were that confident in them. No bull**. Worth the money I paid and twice that again.

Jordan, In-Person Sessions

'Weekend Warrior'

I signed up for your online members tutorials following a friend’s recommendation. I’ve always been hampered in my running with tightness and pain in my traps causing me so much trouble I have to stop and frustration sets in. Just three runs in following the arm swing and open scapula cues and I am getting through without pain, and my breathing is noticeably more natural and relaxed too. I’m looking forward to continuing through the other cue videos.

I know you work with lots of experienced runners but your program has made such a difference to this weekend warrior, so thank you!

Eugenia, Online TBR Member

'I thought I had tried everything'

For 20 years I thought I had tried everything to be able to run again. I had back surgery, gained knowledge as an exercise physiologist and had the selfless support of amazing professionals in the injury prevention space. I couldn’t find a solution until I met Paul. At 36, I embarrassingly had teary eyes of disbelief in my first session with him.

It was during one of Paul’s approaches where the impact forces I felt had almost completely dissolved when comparing old and new techniques. I am so privileged to have had his genuine, positive support and the support of an incredible running coach who referred me to him - Collis from Pulse. While every runner is different, I can’t assure that Paul’s techniques will fix everyone, but I highly recommend that if you have persistent injuries, please do yourself a favour and tee up with Paul and give him a try.

Paul (technique) and Collis (programming/sessions) have been incredibly complimentary to someone like me with injuries. I hope this message helps someone like me, so you don’t spend 20 wasted years looking elsewhere. That was a mission!

Thanks so much Paul, you are a legend man and deserve massive success!!

Sam P, In-Person Sessions

‘Competitive Runner’

After 10 years of running competitively I’ve never been able to build to more than 30km a week without having shin pain, I’ve had 6 operations in total and I was convinced I’d never run again only 12 months ago. After all of this I’ve finally figured out that I was a massive overstrider/heel striker. Been working with @thebalancedrunner for a month now and can’t believe the difference, can’t wait to be back racing next month 🏃🏼

Ash Cowen, In-Person Sessions

‘Landing Position’

Old Way – Top split screen
New Way – Bottom split screen

Break down and highlight of leg position upon landing. Also highlight of landing plays recovery phase leg position.
Kiran has been working towards this over the course of 6 months. This was in our most recent session.

‘Hip Extension’

OLD WAY – NEW WAY

Shown here is the improvement in one session with Genevieve.

❌ At no point did we focus on landing
❌ Cue has no focus on knee lift/drive.

Old way on top and new way on bottom you see how much more extension and therefore flexion is occurring at the hip. This all effects the movements and patterns below. Whilst there is still room for improvement, after one session Genevieve couldn’t feel the load going into her shins anywhere near as much anymore. Slow motion in this video.

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