How to Choose the Right Athletic Shoes
By Elinor Smith
Published November 11, 2011
| Real Simple
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/11/how-to-choose-right-athletic-shoes/#ixzz1dSDHCg8B
You’re just steps away from a better workout. Here’s how to pick a pair of shoes geared toward your routine and body.
Running Shoes vs. Cross-Trainers
Go with running shoes if you mostly jog or walk, since they’re engineered for heel-to-toe motion. Why not walking shoes?
Go with running shoes if you mostly jog or walk, since they’re engineered for heel-to-toe motion. Why not walking shoes?
“Running sneakers cater to a wider range of
foot types and are built to last longer,” says Megan Leahy, a doctor of
podiatric medicine at the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, in Chicago.
Go with cross-trainers if your routine
includes an activity like aerobics, weight training, or kickboxing
(basically any exercise on a hard surface that involves side-to-side movement).
What’s Your Foot Type?
“Runner’s knee, plantar fasciitis, and early-onset arthritis are just a few problems that arise from exercising in the wrong sneakers,” says Louis Pack, a podiatrist in Greensboro, Georgia, and the author of The Arthritis Revolution. In contrast, shoes designed to compensate for the impact of your feet can prevent injuries and improve structural alignment and performance. To determine your foot type: Have a podiatrist examine you, or get an idea yourself by looking at the soles of a pair of worn-in flats.
What’s Your Foot Type?
“Runner’s knee, plantar fasciitis, and early-onset arthritis are just a few problems that arise from exercising in the wrong sneakers,” says Louis Pack, a podiatrist in Greensboro, Georgia, and the author of The Arthritis Revolution. In contrast, shoes designed to compensate for the impact of your feet can prevent injuries and improve structural alignment and performance. To determine your foot type: Have a podiatrist examine you, or get an idea yourself by looking at the soles of a pair of worn-in flats.
“The wear patterns show where you’re putting pressure when you walk,” says Pack.
If You're a Supinator. . .
Supinators’ feet tend to have high arches and roll outward.
You need: Cushioning (also referred to, confusingly, as neutral ) sneakers for shock absorption.
Look for:
Soft midsoles (the layer between the mesh upper and the treads), since
this type of foot doesn’t provide enough shock absorption on its own.
That means the shoes’ soles will tend to be more flexible. You can also
usually spot them by the shape of the sole:
“A cushioned shoe cuts in at the arch, resembling a kidney bean,” says Leahy.
Shoes for running: Extra rubber built into the sole means a smoother, bouncier gait.
Shoes for cross-training: Make lightning-quick pivots, thanks to flexible grooves in the sole.
If You’re Neutral...
You’re neutral and have an average gait with equal weight distribution across the foot.
You need: Stability or moderate-stability sneakers, which offer a balance of cushioning and support.
Look for: Cushioning with a good dose
of stability—in other words, a lightweight shoe that bends just to the
ball of the foot. That said, “in many cases, this foot type has the most
freedom and can wear whichever sneakers feel best at the store,” says
Dr. Steven Raikin, the director of foot and ankle services at Rothman
Institute Orthopaedics, in Philadelphia.
Shoes for cross-training: These crazy soles act like a Slinky, putting an extra spring in your step.
Shoes for running: This innovative design reduces heel slippage and instep strain.
If You’re a Pronator...
This means your feet roll inward. Flat arches or low arches are common.
You need: Motion-control or high-stability sneakers to keep your feet better aligned with your legs.
Look for: Shoes that are a
contrasting color (often gray) near the arch. This indicates the
presence of a dense material that provides reinforcement to keep the
arches from collapsing. The shoes tend to be fairly stiff and will flex
only near the toe area. The added support can sometimes give these
sneakers a boxy appearance, says Luke Rowe, a vice president of the
sneaker retailer Fleet Feet.
Shoes for cross training: A wide toe box allows for comfortable lateral movement.
Shoes for running: Stabilizing roll bars help protect arches.
What If Your Feet Get Sweaty and Blistered?
Invest in smarter athletic socks and get rid of your basic white ones.
“When shopping, look at the fabric, size, and seams—not necessarily the amount of cushioning,” says Fleet Feet’s Luke Rowe.
Bypass 100 percent cotton and reach for a
moisture-management material, which will wick away irritating sweat.
Pick a sock that comes in a range of sizes (say, from extra small to
extra large) as opposed to a one-size-fits-all style (“sizes 6 to 11”)
for less blister-inducing slippage. And, finally, look for seamless
construction, which eliminates chafing and irritation, especially around
the toe area.
What’s Up With Those Funky Shoes That Look Like Gloves for Feet?
They’re designed for barefoot running, a new movement that tries to replicate the unshod experience using barely-there shoes. This practice, which borrows from indigenous peoples who don’t have the luxury of the latest Nikes, supposedly strengthens the foot muscles and allows the feet to move more naturally. But is it safe?
“If you didn’t grow up running on bare feet,
it’s extremely risky, resulting in everything from stress fractures to
arthritis,” warns John Brummer, DPM, a spokesperson for the American
Podiatric Medical Association, in New York City. Feet not only need
protection from hard, uneven surfaces but also require customized
support for their unique structure.
How Can You Tell If You Need New Sneakers?
Keep an eye on the shoe’s midsole—the cushiony layer between the treads and the mesh upper, Leahy says. When you notice deep-set wrinkles there (like a squashed marshmallow), it’s time to say good-bye.
Keep an eye on the shoe’s midsole—the cushiony layer between the treads and the mesh upper, Leahy says. When you notice deep-set wrinkles there (like a squashed marshmallow), it’s time to say good-bye.
MY THOUGHTS
That's one great article, isn't it? If you're into running or walking, that is.
Beautiful, athletic shoes. I'm not much into it these days. I have an assortment of beautiful, sporty shoes and only a couple would pass the requirements to make walking or jogging worth while. No wonder I get achy feet most of the time.
There was a time when a pair of beautiful shoes, with rubber soles and all, can make me bolt out of the door for a walk or a stroll. Not anymore. These days, I need a lot of inspiration to go out and walk. This community doesn't have what it takes to give me the much needed push.
Maybe a new pair of beautiful shoes for running can do the trick. But wait! I still have a couple of beautiful shoes, wrapped up in a box. So, that's not it. Maybe I should move to another community. Now, that's an interesting thought.
If someone asks, why did you move?
"Because I need to use my beautiful, athletic shoes - that's why?"
