How do I stop mashing???

[chutch]

Is toe-down bad? I've come to understand heels-down from spinning class and it works when you need a switch.

I'm no expert at all, but from my limited understanding heels-down is considered more efficient. But I think I have read that some people have a perfectly efficient pedal stroke using the toe-down method. I also had a knee pain issue and am experiencing less knee pain with the change in pedal stroke so that benefit alone makes it worth it to me.