Why choose the right shoes for your preferred exercise? Keep in mind that your feet will absorb most of the impact of your exercise movements, especially when running, jumping and dancing. Your feet should then have adequate shock absorption from the shoes as well as provide comfort and ease of movement.
The bottom line: Your shoes will contribute to your exercise performance and safety so be sure to choose well, not just based on appearance and price.
Tailor It to the Exercise
Think of your exercise shoes as an investment in your health. You may then have a few pairs of shoes for exercise purposes and that’s okay since you’re engaged in a few different exercises, too. You shouldn’t wear golf shoes, for example, when you’re planning on lifting weights at American Family Fitness.
Look for running shoes when you’re planning on running on a treadmill, and these shoes should provide plenty of traction, cushioning and stability as well as be flexible and lightweight. Walking shoes should also offer a comfortable cushion with shock-absorbing qualities, and these can be used in nearly all gym exercises like aerobic dancing.
Of course, you should wear the right court shoes for the sport you’re planning on playing. Nearly every ball sport, such as volleyball, tennis, basketball, and racquetball, has its own specialized shoes since the court conditions and play requirements are different. In all these court sports, nonetheless, look for shoes with a sturdy and stable sole with enough support for your feet; the constant back-and-forth movements can take a toll on the feet.
Tailor It to Your Feet
Have you ever tried on shoes in the store and found them to be perfect until you wore them to your workouts and they aren’t? Yes, it happens because the conditions of your feet changes as the day wears on and when you’re on and off the workout area.
Here then are tips to get the right fit for your feet when choosing athletic shoes.
- Shop for shoes in the afternoon since your feet are slightly larger during these hours. You will have a better idea of their fit on your feet.
- Wear the socks you’re intending to wear with the shoes during workouts or practice.
- Give your toes wiggle room. Your shoes should provide about ½ inch of wiggle room between your largest toe and their ends; pinch the end of the shoes to determine whether your toes have wiggle room. Choose a larger size, perhaps a half-size larger, if your feet seem to be of different sizes for better comfort.
- Check the fit in all sides, particularly the heels. The ball of your foot should easily fit in the widest part of the shoe, too.
Of course, you have to try the shoes! You may want to walk and run in them for at least 10 minutes in the store just to test them out.