Shoes are not a one size fits all type of deal. Choosing the right shoe cannot be understated! If you have experienced some aches and pains when working out, you may want to consider changing your shoes. Shoes matter and your feet matter. Your feet touch the ground all day and endure a lot of impact and can often develop injuries. Injured feet can start a chain reaction up the body, potentially leading to additional injuries and misalignment. What you wear on your feet is very important. So how do you find the right athletic shoe?
Do You Need More than One Pair of Athletic Shoes?
You must take into consideration your specific shoe needs based on your routine and physicality. The short answer is that it depends on the type and variety of activities you are doing, but most likely, yes.
Types of Shoes for Specific Activities
If you are running on a treadmill, indoor track, or outside, you will need a running shoe. If you’re running more than a few times a week, you should have more than one pair of running shoes and rotate them to avoid an overuse injury. You may want a lighter shoe for your faster runs and a more cushioned shoe for your longer runs. It is recommended to get fitted at a running store to make sure you have the right fit, shape, and style for your needs.
For gym workouts and combination cardio/strength classes, you should be wearing a versatile cross-training shoe. You can also wear a cross-trainer for short runs, lifting weights, and most movement-based activities. Cross-training shoes provide more support for side-to-side movements, which helps protect your ankles. Cross-training shoes have a flatter sole, which keeps you level on the ground and helps for resistance work by keeping your balanced. If lifting weights, try a flat, light shoe or a platform weightlifting shoe, which provides a small heel to help you get deeper into your squats. For cycling, you will need cycle shoes to prevent foot slipping. If you are doing barre, dance, or yoga: you can go bare feet or try gripping barre socks.
How Often Should You Replace Shoes
There is no cut and dry answer here, but plan to wear sneakers for about six months. Even if you only wear your shoes for workouts, they may be wearing down in certain areas of the shoe from repetitive movement and this can lead to injuries in the long run. If you are rotating your sneakers, you can keep them longer and avoid overuse. Overwearing the same pair can lead to pain and injury in your legs.
You should care about the shoes you are wearing for your workouts beyond how they look. What you wear on your feet matters. If you feel any pain, you may need new or different shoes. If you’ve been wearing the same shoes for several months, swap them out. Remember, you are investing in your health and fitness!
