No. As long as your foot is on the pedal, with the REMplate™ somewhat over the REMmagnets, you’re good to start pedaling, sending, etc. That said, the more directly over the magnets, the more pull you’ll get, so the safest, most efficient placement is centered over the mags. Overall the system allows for the widest range of step-in position and on-the-fly adjustments of any pedal system out there.