If your exercise routine involves running (or other types of footwork), you should not underestimate the importance of a quality shoe. Whether your shoes are suitable for running or not, you will notice immediately after an exercise by the way your feet and ankles feel. Your weight loss or fitness attempts can be needlessly derailed by injuries caused by inappropriate shoes. Make your workout a more comfortable and pleasant experience by investing in a quality shoe.
Benefits
The first and foremost benefit of a proper shoe is a well-shaped fit. Your foot should feel lighter as you run because of the way the shoe fits to the shape of your foot. With good shoes, the creation of blisters is prevented because the rubbing of heels against the shoe is minimized. They cushion the foot from heavy landings, lessen the impact of your step, and improve your performance by enabling quick direction changes during your run.
Injuries and Pains
There are a number of injuries that can be caused by improper workout footwear. Fractures, bunions, corns, and ankle strains are the most obvious ones. Poorly fitting footwear can worsen the state of metatarslagia, an overuse injury which results in inflammation and pain in the ball of the foot. According to WebMD, it is common in those who participate in high-impact sports.
If you do not use shoes made specifically for running, you will surely end up with sore feet. Also, it is important to choose the right type of socks to wear when running. For example, cotton socks should be avoided, because they cause a lot of friction against your skin, which makes them improper to run in. All in all, after running in basketball shoes and cotton socks, do not expect to see your feet in good shape.
How To Choose The Right Shoes
Shoes should be chosen according to the sport one is most active in (in this case – running). When shopping for shoes, try them at times when your feet are the largest, and that is right after your workout, or in the afternoon or evening. You should pay attention to the way they are engineered and made. For example, Ryder Wear shoes are made from natural and engineered fabrics, so as to provide a better range of motion and comfort during a workout. Test the shoe’s flexibility by bending it with your hands. If it is overly flexible, it can indicate a lack of support. Try them on with sports socks and stand up when trying to ensure a good fit. Make sure you can wiggle your toes easily while wearing them (this requires leaving half an inch between the tip of the shoe and your big toe).
When it comes to runners, it all comes down to pronation – the degree your foot rotates toward the inside when you run. According to their pronation, runners can be divided into two groups: those with too much pronation and those with insufficient pronation. Thus, choosing the right shoe depends on whether your feet rotate too much or barely when running. For the best pair of running shoes, you should visit a shoe store that specializes in selling running shoes. In these stores you can have your foot type determined through in-store machine tests and have a knowledgeable staff help you in finding the type of running shoe that fits you best.
Once you find your kind of running shoes, your future purchases will be much easier. Running shoes should be replaced after 350-500 miles, because worn out shoes do not provide adequate protection for your feet during running. The mid-sole of your shoe shows damage first, and you should judge the wear of your shoes according to that, not according the treads on the bottom.
