The average person who embarks on an exercise program may not know how to select the proper work-out shoes. Inevitably, we find ourselves asking a store clerk to get a style that we picked out based on looks only. This is not a preferred way to shop for exercise shoes. The following is a brief education about foot type and exercise footwear.
First time exercisers are the most susceptible to injuries so it’s important that they spend money on good quality shoes and socks. Weather you’re a walker only, a walk jogger, or a runner, a good pair of RUNNING is best for cardio work-outs. You can walk in running shoes but you can’t run in walking shoes. Running shoes offer the most support for overweight individuals and those who are new to exercise. Walking shoes are best for wearing with jeans to go shopping at the mall.
Know your foot type. Go to www.roadrunnersports.com and click on go fetch to get a shoe analysis. Answer the questions. If you’re new to exercise just click on the lowest miles run. Even walkers can fill in information as if they were runners. Once you’ve figured out if your feet tend to turn inward, outward or are pretty straight when you walk, the proper shoe style will be easier to find.
If you have bunions or corns or notice that your feet get numb while walking or on an elliptical trainer in a gym, then you must wear shoes with a wide toe box. Women may even opt to wear men’s running shoes. I wear a ladies size 9 even though my dress shoe size is an 8. Men’s shoes even come in extra wide widths.
If you have wide feet you can also try retying your shoes to allow for more room in the toe box. Remove laces and retread them skipping the second and third set of holes. Lace only the first holes and the top two or three. You’ll experience relief from tight shoes almost immediately.
Be careful of wearing cross trainers to go walking or running. These shoes are designed to be worn for weight training or court sports (tennis, squash, volleyball). Cross trainers are too heavy and don’t have enough give to allow you to propel forward while walking to burn fat.
Basketball shoes are for basketball and may be worn in the weight room. Please do not wear them when doing a cardio workout on a treadmill or on the sidewalks outdoors. Remember, the best shoes are running shoes for a cardio work-out.
Aerobics shoes are for aerobics only. They may be worn in the weight room but they have the most cushioning in the ball of the foot and not the heel.
Socks: Please invest in good quality socks like Thorlos brand or another anti blister brand. Roadrunnersports.com has other brands avaialbe. Cheap cotton socks sold in bags at stores bunch up when the wearer sweats. This results in a blister. The last thing an exerciser wants is a blister anywhere on his or her feet. Thorlos brand socks run about $11.00 a pair but they are worth the money. You can find them at any Footlocker store on-line at http://www.thorlo.com. There are Thorlos socks for skiing, basketball, walking, running and more.
When trying on shoes, go at the end of the day. Your feet swell when you exercise so you’ll get a better fit at that time of day. Buy your Thorlos socks and even an insert ( a rubberized sole that you put inside your shoes) and bring them to the store. Make sure that you can play piano with your toes while wearing them in the store. Never think that you can break a pair of shoes in. They should feel comfortable when you put them on and lace them up.
Avoid buying fashion exercise shoes. These are fads that are usually geared towards young teens and adults. Stick to brand name shoes found in athletic stores. Avoid buying inexpensive exercise shoes in discount stores. They do not offer the support needed for regular exercise.
By the way, it’s time to buy a new pair of running shoes when they become loose from the inside. Exercise shoes lose their support way before the treads get worn. Use old shoes for yard work. Invest in two pair of the same running shoe and alternate them to make them last longer.
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