When you exercise, the last thing you want to do is to put the “wrong shoes on the right feet.” As silly as that sounds, it is amazing how often it happens. This is not about putting the right Shoe on the left foot, but rather, about choosing shoes that are not shaped correctly for your unique feet. Your friend’s cool shoes may look sharp, but they may not be the right shoe style for you.

Buying a pair of athletic shoes from scratch can be a long process, so prepare yourself for the journey by figuring out  ahead of time exactly what you need. Think about what kind of cardio you do, think about whether or not you need extra arch support, whether or not you have wide width feet or narrow width feet. Do you over-pronate, under-pronate or are you neutral? Do you know what that means? All of these factors help determine what is healthiest and most comfortable for you as a runner. By purchasing the right shoes you can improve your workout and your body.

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Long Distance Running Shoes.  When choosing shoes for long distance, there are many factors that go into your final choice. All feet are different and the shoes you put on them will determine how well your body responds. When you are choosing shoes for distance, you have to consider the length of time you will be not only on your feet, and how long you are going to be putting stress on your bones. Recommended shoes could be Nike Air or Adidas Ultra Boost.

Trail Running. If you like the challenge of running on trails look for shoes that absorb shock and offer stability. Some of the same rules apply when trail running as with long distance as it is a form of long distance running, but because there is so much pressure on your back, legs, and feet your shoes need to compensate in the places your body cannot. Recommended shoes could be Brooks Trail Running Shoes or Adidas Women’s Galaxy Trail Running Shoes.

Aerobics training.  A recommendation for the aerobics fitness fanatic would be a shoe such as the Nike Flex. These are a perfect example of shoes that work for any kind of indoor cardio training, such as  Zumba or Aerobics. These light-weight sneakers are flexible and easy to move around in making them an excellent choice. The goal of these shoes is to respond well during back-and-forth and side-to-side motions.

Sprinting. For speed, you want to look for lightweight shoes to enhance your pace. However, just remember shoes made for sprinting are not great for endurance because they have little padding and thin soles, and offer little protection for the muscles in your feet. A recommendation for sprinters would be Mizuno Wave. These shoes vary in feet support, width, arch, and even color.

If you’re still not sure what you need but are ready to invest in a pair of reliable athletic shoes, or if you are having trouble finding a pair that fits just right, check in with your local shoe specialist.  A store that specializes in athletic shoes will have the latest technology to help you find the perfect shoes and fit.

Wearing the right shoe can help keep you on your feet and out of the doctor’s office.

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