There are a number of things to keep in mind when choosing a pair of workout shoes that are right for you.
The first thing to consider is what physical activity you’ll be engaging in. For example, if you will be playing basketball, you want shoes that offer good lateral support for your ankles, since you will be moving from side to side. If you will be doing more running, you need a shoe that will have good support for the soles of your feet. And if you are doing a gentler form of exercise, such as yoga or muscle-toning repetitions, you may prefer to wear shoes that are light and have very thin soles, so that you can flex your feet more easily.
Cross-Training Shoes
Cross-trainers, which have less ankle support than basketball shoes and may have thinner soles than running shoes, should be used by people who do different sports or activities, but don’t do any one activity with a lot of regularity. People who primarily engage in one specific sport or activity should look for a shoe that is made especially for that sport.
When Should You Replace Your Athletic Shoes?
For running, basketball and cross-training shoes, the answer depends on how much you use them, of course. If you are heavily into athletics (you practice your sport every day or close to that), you may have to replace your shoes every six months. If you only do sports a few times a week, your shoes should last you about a year.
You don’t want to wait until your shoes are in obvious disrepair, as you will have lost some of the support by then. If you no longer have the proper support, you’ll be much likelier to develop strains and pains in your feet or your lower back, in addition to lost support or pain for your knees. The time to replace your athletic shoes is before they start looking obviously worn down.
You also want to periodically check the liners inside your shoes and make sure that they still offer cushioning for your feet. If you wear a pair of athletic shoes long enough, the liners will flatten to the point that they no longer provide much cushioning. At this point, you can replace the liners or add insoles that will cushion.
Tip: Don’t wear your workout shoes for walking around. You may be tempted to wear your workout shoes for walking around and running errands; but this is not advised, as they will wear out much faster than if you only use them during workouts. You would be surprised by how much wear and tear you can put your shoes through, just by walking. So, buy a separate pair of good walking shoes.
When you go into the athletic shoe store, don’t hesitate to ask sales people for help. They will be able to assist you in picking a shoe that offers the right kind and amount of support for you. They can also measure your feet to select a size that will fit you best.
Tip: An athletic shoe should fit comfortably around the top of your foot and your ankle, and there should be a space of about half an inch between the end of your big toe and the shoe. Also, you should be able to wiggle your toes freely inside the shoe. Walk around a bit inside the store in the shoes you are looking to buy, before deciding if the shoes feel right for you.
What About ‘Shape-Up’ Shoes?
Most of us have seen them; they’re women’s athletic shoes with two-inch-thick soles that curve in a slope at the heel end of the sole. They’ve only been sold in the marketplace for a handful of years. Ads promote these shoes as helping women get toned faster by causing the calf and leg muscles to work harder when women walk or exercise.
But reviews on these shoes have been mixed. Users have reported injuries to their muscles or knees from the added stress. People wearing these shoes have also sustained injuries from falling after losing their balance. These shoes seem best for people who have to stand a lot. The thick sole support and instability of the heel could in their case help prevent foot or back strain.
By Marc Courtiol