History & Development of the Programs

Curt Munson and John Benedict, co-owners of Playmakers, started Good Form Running™ (GFR) after discovering that a few simple changes in their running form could have a significant positive impact. They began testing the basic tenets of GFR with the Playmakers staff early in 2006 and by April of that year, the first GFR clinic opened to the public. Since 2006, they have experienced dramatic results by teaching these form principles to thousands of runners and walkers. They believe that GFR is the most important development in their careers in the sporting goods industry. Grant Robison, ten-time All-American and Olympian, joined the Playmakers staff in 2006 and immediately became involved with the development of GFR. Having spent much of his career injured, Grant found that his mechanics were inefficient and needed improvement. Since incorporating GFR into his training regimen, Grant has been injury-free. 

GFR is the product of years of teaching clinics, reading books and articles, and studying other running form philosophies, not to mention numerous years of learning through trial and error. Instead of a complex biomechanical analysis, GFR focuses on three essential points: posture, landing, and lean. With simplicity as a primary focus, GFR has reached thousands of runners since 2006 and is now available to a worldwide audience. 

The creators of GFR believe that helping people learn to run light and easy creates much less friction on the shoes that they wear, allowing their shoes to last longer. More importantly, learning to run light and run easy with the three points of GFR results in less friction on our bodies, which leads to better health.

Shortly after the launch of GFR, another program following many of the same principles was developed:Good Form Walking™ (GFW). Local PT and Certified Good Form coach, Jann Nestell helped to develop the GFW program in an effort to teach walkers to move lighter, easier, and healthier. 

Playmakers in collaboration with local podiatrists, physical therapists, and MSU Sports Medicine launched the Injury Clinic in the 1990s to help customers with aches and pains they experienced either when walking & running or simply in everyday life. Stretch, Strengthen, and Roll ™ (SSR) came out of a desire to be more proactive, rather than reactive in helping customers stay injury free so hopefully less would need the injury clinic. Kristen Price, a former Playmakers employee, founded the program, originally called Good Form Movement, in 2013. The class focuses on proper order of operations before and after activity (myofascial release) as well as exercises to help even out common muscle imbalances that play a role in many common aches, pains, and injuries.

Learn more by watching the video below.

Private Group classes are available. For arrangement, please email ryan@playmakers.com