When clients come to Biofit Performance in Oviedo, FL, I am always amazed to see how much care they take to make sure they have the proper gear, most of the time it includes good workout shoes. Shoes are probably the most important piece of workout clothing and they need to be good and fit well. They also need to be appropriate for the type of workout you do to protect your feet. If you’re an avid runner, you’ll want shoes made for jogging or running. Cross-training shoes are suitable for working out in the gym.
Your workout shoes need to be a good fit.
There’s nothing worse for your feet or your workout than having shoes that are uncomfortable. You need to make sure the shoe fits at six different points. The heel is one of those points. If it’s too big, the shoe will slide and cause blistering and discomfort. The instep, width and length are also important for comfort and support. The shoe should also have enough flex to allow you to perform your workout with ease. Walk in your gym shoes before you buy and if the store offers a treadmill to test the fit, use it. Rather than just getting one pair of shoes, get several pairs. Each shoe protects your feet in different ways and allows your feet to meet the ground differently. You can switch among the shoes and aid in avoiding repetitive stress injuries.
Choosing a shoe that doesn’t fit or one that doesn’t offer the support you need can cause injury.
The quality, fit and shape of your shoes can make a difference between a great workout and one that ends in injuries. More obvious injuries include those to the ankles, both strains and fractures, bunions, corns and blisters. Lesser known injuries include metatarsalgia. It makes the ball of the foot hurt and poor fitting shoes, add to it. If shoes don’t have enough spring, due to the way they’re made or amount of use, they don’t act like shock absorbers and can also cause excess foot movement in the shoe. It can change the alignment of the foot and cause overuse injuries.
When you shop for shoes makes a difference.
Even if you choose the right type of shoe for your workout, there is a treadmill in the place where you buy the shoes and you use it, you still may not get a good fit. When you try on the shoes makes a difference, too. Your feet are their largest in the afternoon or the evening. They’re also larger after you workout. You need to try shoes at that time to avoid buying ones that are uncomfortably tight. Wear sports socks, the type you’d wear to the gym, when you do. Your toes should be able to wiggle, so make sure there’s a half-inch between the big toe and the tip of the shoe.
- The more you use your shoes, the more the compression capabilities are lost. The National Strength and Conditioning Association suggest that for running, six months/approximately 400 miles is the safe life expectancy. More intense workouts will be sooner and less intense later.
- If you have a worn are on the ball or heel on either side, pitch them and get new ones. They’re an injury waiting to happen and give too much heel motion.
- Are your shoes right for you? One way to tell is by aches and pains. If you find you’re having knee pain or foot pain, the first thing to suspect is the shoes.
- If you’ve had your shoes in the closet for ages and barely used them, they still could require replacing. Shoe materials can dry out in the midsole, outersole and upper area, affecting the functionality.
For more information, contact us today at Biofit Performance