How to Find the Right Workout Shoe
The kind of shoes you wear when you work out can make all the difference in keeping you safe and injury free, but finding the right pair can be just as challenging as the workout itself. You can lessen your chances of suffering sprains, strains and achy joints if you know how to find the right shoes for what you do.
Instructions
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How to Find the Right Workout Shoe
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Determine the activities for which you need shoes before you head to the store, advises Jazzercise Inc. founder Judi Sheppard Missett. This will help the sales associate help you. If you do multiple types of exercises, consider more than one pair or try cross-trainers, which are designed for a variety of exercises ranging from cardio workouts to weightlifting.
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Study your foot's pronation, or how it rotates or rolls as you walk. If your foot lands evenly when it hits the ground, you have a neutral strike and likely will not have a problem finding shoes, because most are made to fit people with this type of foot. If you have flat or fallen arches and one or both feet tend to roll inward when you walk, you may over-pronate and will need shoes that offer more stability, according to the health and fitness website SparkPeople.com. People who under-pronate usually have high arches and tend to roll toward the outside of their feet. They will require shoes that are well-cushioned. Inserts also may be helpful to people who have under-pronation. If you are not sure of your foot type, ask the sales associate at the shoe store for help. A knowledgeable associate can look at your footprints on a store mat and tell what type of feet you have.
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Shop for shoes in the afternoon, because feet tend to swell then, advises FitnessandFreebies.com. Wear socks that you would use to exercise so you can get an accurate assessment of the shoe's fit. Leave about a half-inch gap between your longest toe and the top of the shoe.
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Determine on what type of surface you will be working out so you buy shoes with an appropriate type of sole, says FitWatch.com. For example, if you will be active mainly on a tennis court, you will need a different type of sole than someone who runs through the woods.
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Try on both shoes and test them in the store before you buy them, advises SparkPeople.com. Ask about the store's return policy. Walk around to get a feel of the shoes' fit. Try some of the movements you will be performing, such as running, jumping or aerobic movements. Lace the shoes as you would for a workout.
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Wear your new shoes around the house for a few days before you wear them during your workout, SparkPeople.com says. This will allow time for your feet to get used to them and let the shoe mold to your feet, creating lasting comfort.
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Tips & Warnings
In general, active people should replace their shoes every four to six months. For runners, every 400 to 500 miles is a good gauge. Wear your shoes for the purpose you bought them. Wearing them for other reasons will cause them to wear out faster. Get refitted each year to ensure that your feet haven't changed in size or shape.
