|
What should I look for when buying exercise shoes? The importance of wearing the proper shoes for athletic workouts is often underrated. A person’s foot has millions of nerves endings, especially on the sole, which senses the pounding and repetition of running, jumping and other activities.
The shoes you choose not only impact the health of your feet, but your overall workout. Your brain and body work together to adapt to the stress of hitting the ground by adjusting your gait. This, in turn, affects your legs, torso and spine as well.
Here are some tips to guide you before you head to the shoe store:
If you participate in a sport more than three hours per week, purchase a sport-specific shoe.
Whenever possible, purchase athletic shoes from a store that specializes in athletic wear or your specific sport such as running, tennis or aerobics.
Your feet expand during the day as you walk. Thus, the best time to shop for shoes is in the late afternoon or evening as it will be the best way to size your foot. When you shop, bring along the shoes you currently wear to workout. This will help the salesperson understand your needs based on the wear on your shoe upper and sole.
When buying shoes, always have your feet measured. Arch height should always be determined when you are standing and putting weight on the foot. Always try on both shoes and walk around the store before you decide to make the purchase.
When shopping, wear the type of sock you intend to wear with the athletic shoe. If you wear an orthotic insert, bring it along to the shoe store. Be sure you have a thumb's width between the longest toe and the tip of the shoe.
The thicker and more overprotected your shoe is, the worse it is for your body because it interferes with the body's ability to sense and adapt to the pressure/stress of hitting the ground.
Always buy shoes that feel good from the start. You shouldn’t have to "break them in." Be sure your shoes are in good shape before you use them to exercise. Runners should get a new pair of shoes every 350 to 500 miles even if the shoe doesn’t show a lot of wear and tear.
Don’t use walking shoes for running. Shoes for walking and running are different. Walking shoes have a slightly lower heel, stability through the mid-foot and flexiblity in the arch.
"Cross trainer" shoes do not make good running shoes. "Cross trainers" can be used for aerobics, weight training or walking. If you plan to do a lot of running, you need to buy a running shoe.
Don’t use aerobic shoes for playing tennis; they provide very little lateral ankle support. Tennis involves lots of side-to-side motion, so you need a shoe that is built for lateral stability. Tennis shoes or cross trainers are good for this sport.
For playing basketball, you need to adequately protect your ankle. Be sure to specifically purchase a basketball shoe or high tops. They will provide the best support for jumping, quick sprints and turns required for the sport.
If you find you suffer from numbness, tingling, blisters or black toenails when you exercise, don’t resign yourself to just trying to find another shoe. You should consult your doctor or podiatrist. You may have a condition which your doctor will need to address. He/she can also advise you on the proper athletic shoe to wear depending on your issues.
©2008 ComPsych® Corporation. All rights reserved. This information is for educational purposes only. It is always important to consult with the appropriate professional on financial, medical, legal, behavioral or other issues. As you read this information, it is your responsibility to make sure that the facts and ideas apply to your situation. |
