How To Choose The Right Athletic Shoes

Regular exercise keeps your body and your mind healthy, and in many cases, it can be a lot of fun. However, in some cases, exercise can result in injury. One key to avoiding injury during exercise is finding the perfect pair of shoes. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Understand Your Feet And Stride

Consult a podiatrist or other professional to figure out how you walk and run. Do you put extra pressure on the outside of your feet? Do your ankles need extra support? Do you have high arches? Do you roll your feet inward when you walk or run? Knowing more about your feet and your stride can help you choose a pair of shoes that will balance things out correctly.

Choose Different Types Of Shoes For Different Types Of Exercise

It may be tempting to purchase one pair of generic athletic shoes, but you’re much better off choosing shoes that are specifically suited to the exercise you’ll be doing. If you’ll be hiking, you’ll need stiffer shoes that are waterproof and provide extra support around the ankles. If you are running, you may want lightweight shoes that are flexible with a lot of cushion. If you’ll be lifting weights, you may want shoes that are stiffer and provide traction. Don’t ruin your running shoes and twist your ankle by wearing the wrong pair of shoes on your next hike. Invest in a high quality pair of shoes that is ideal for each specific exercise you’ll be doing.

Recreate The Correct Circumstances

When you go to a store to try on athletic shoes, do what you can to recreate the situation where you’ll normally be wearing the shoes:

• Wear socks that are the same kinds of socks you plan on wearing with the shoes
• Remember that your feet will swell up and be a little bigger during exercise. Try on shoes after you’ve been walking around for a while.
• Completely lace the shoes you’ll be trying on so you know exactly how they will fit.
• Walk around in the shoes you are considering. They should be comfortable without being ‘broken in.’

To learn more about protecting yourself from injury while exercising, contact Plancher Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.