Why Your Shoes Matter When You Exercise
As a trainer, I’ve often had to talk to people about their shoes. Whether or not you like to work out in an old t-shirt and basketball shorts or in a matching workout set, I don’t really care. Do whatever makes you comfortable. But your shoes – now that is non-negotiable! Shoes are more than just about how they look—they affect everything you do. Here are some ways in which they can make a big impact on whatever type of training you like to do:
Injury Prevention
Think about it. Your feet are (literally) foundational for movement – they take part in standing, walking, sitting, running, jumping... They’re an essential part of your mobility. No matter what kind of workout you're doing, the right shoes are essential for promoting proper foot alignment and reducing strain on your muscles and joints. Using the right shoes can help reduce the risk of strain and injury throughout the body through proper support and alignment. The wrong shoes can directly affect areas you might not even think about – like your lower back and yes, even your neck and shoulders! Which means, if you’re working out with shoes that aren’t properly supporting you, you could affect your exercise form. This increases your risk of injury from things like shin splits, plantar fasciitis, twisting an ankle, and even stress fractures.
Foot Health
Proper shoes protect against common struggles we have with the feet – like plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, bunions, etc. A good workout shoe depends on what kind of exercise you’ll be doing but often has a wide toe box so your toes have proper room, adequate arch support, and good cushioning to reduce stress on not only your feet but your other muscles and joints as well.
Performance
Not all shoes that are designed for exercise are designed for the same kind of exercise. Shoes are designed to aid specific types of workouts.
For instance, running shoes are designed to be extra cushioned to help absorb the repetitive, high impact. This helps reduce the stress on your joints and keep your running form strong.
Shoes designed for strength training are typically more stable and solid in the base with good traction so that when you’re lifting heavy, you feel strong and supported. Getting the right shoes for the right kind of exercise can change the game for you!
Now you might be thinking...but how do I go about finding the right shoe? I recommend going to a store that specializes in selling workout shoes. Search for a store near you that can measure and scan your feet. This will give you a great idea about your specific needs, and often they will also suggest specific shoe brands for the type of training you want to do.
Now let’s go toe-tally crush those workouts!