Women’s Fitness Footwear

"No Old, No New, No Now"
 

If you've ever gotten that urge, twitch, or bug to start exercising again after a long downtime, perhaps you can relate to this scenario. You begin on your hands and knees digging in the back of the closet for the smelly, and maybe even dusty, pair of sneakers that's been sitting there waiting for you. You slowly lace them up and get going, only to feel your feet begin to burn, shins begin to ache and blisters begin to form. Needless to say, once your walk or run is over, you slip off your worn "tennies" with relief.

Is it no wonder we develop pains and aches such as shin splints or plantar fasciitis? Your fitness footwear can and will make a huge impact on your exercise career.

Tips for Buying Women's Fitness Footwear

Consider these tips before you shoot yourself in the foot with the wrong footwear.

• Evaluate and, if necessary, replace footwear that hasn't been worn for a year or more.
• When buying new shoes, consider going to a shoe specialist or a shoe store that evaluates your old shoes by looking at the wear-and-tear. S/he/they can recommend shoes that support your gait pattern.
• When buying new shoes, realize that the inserts that come with them are cheap and provide no real support. Which means you want to consider purchasing a shoe insert that works with your gait. Consider inserts even if you have old shoes that still have time before they bite the bullet.
• Avoid trends in women's fitness sneakers, such as the new "shape-up" types. They tend to overwork muscles and can lead to injury. Stick to tried-and-true brands for athletic footwear.
• If you have new footwear, break it in slowly before wearing it all day every day for all activities.

Buying the Right Women's Fitness Footwear

As the science and technology of fitness footwear advances, we have more information available to help us pick the right shoes for the right exercise. Also consider the type of exercise, location, and terrain when deciding what shoes to commit to.

• A general walking shoe is great for the gym or walking around the neighborhood.
• If you live in a warmer climate, consider the breathability of your footwear.
• As summer transitions into winter, think about where you'll be exercising. If it's out in winter weather, something with a better tread can help prevent slipping on ice. You may even look into purchasing cleat like slip-ons to attach to your shoes.

Remember, your feet support you throughout your day. Spend time (and yes, even money) on quality women's fitness sneakers. Women are stereotypically known for loving shoes. We appreciate a beautiful pair of pumps, fancy-strapped flats, knee-high leather boots. Let's make the stereotype work for us when it comes to our fitness footwear. The proper support keeps our feet and body safe and supported while we move, providing the feel-good benefits that we know healthy movement provides.