ARE YOUR SHOES FIT FOR YOU?
Sneakers, trainers, walking shoes, jogging shoes may look alike but are definitely not the same. Here’s a guide to help you pick the right pair for the right activity.
I was very happy with my new found love of morning jogs, until the day my heels started aching. And the pain continued till I stopped going for them. It was not that I was new to the regime. In fact, the ache had started almost a month after I had begun to jog. I didn’t want to forgo this refreshing and healthy habit therefore I consulted several experts and finally realised that the fault was in my companion – my jogging shoes!
There are many like me who don’t bother about what shoes they are wearing for which activity. And that is the sole reason they land up with some injury or pain.
Reebok Master Trainer, Nisha Varma, advises, “One should always choose activity-specific shoes as they are customised as per the kind of workout you are indulging in.” She adds, “Women should wear the shoes made for women. This is because we have delicate feet as compared to men.” My doubts were further clarified at a Nike workshop that I recently attended. The event aimed at inspiring women in their athletic journey with a right pair of shoes. The brand had divided their entire range of women’s shoe in three brackets; lifestyle, training and running. Lifestyle ones, I realised, are the ones that are meant just for a trendy and cool look. While training shoes are to be worn during the workouts as they adapt to the feet as per the moves. The running shoes fascinated me the most. Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit was the one that I loved. It is specially made for runners to give them the feel of barefoot running.
The running shoes are made without a lateral stability because we don’t move our feet laterally while running. While choosing a running shoe just check that they should be well cushioned on the forefoot, light weight and should give your foot the support and stability. Adidas Running Falcon Elite 4 Shoe is a good option. On other hand training shoes are made with lateral stability as we tend to move our feet sideways while doing physical activities like zumba, pilates, aerobics, tennis and basketball. Nike Free 1.0 Cross Bionics, Puma Osu V4 WN’s DP Cerise-Potent Purple – Fluro Yellow and Women’s Adidas Training Vitoria II shoes are ideal for such training activities. The best test for perfect ones is by bending them with your hands to check their flexibility.
For runners who are into daily training and speedwork, performance training shoes are a better choice. Performance training shoes for runners are less cushioned than the regular running shoes, light weight and are designed in such a way that they are more responsive as compared to the running shoes. Different sports have different performance training shoes. A basketball shoe can’t be worn by a footballer because the latter activity requires a heavier shoe.
For walkers there is a separate range of shoes as they don’t require what training and running shoes do. The things that you need to check while choosing a walking shoe is the firm heel support, well cushioned heel and thinner sole.
Cross training shoes are something that are perfect for those who occasionally go for jogs, walks and indulge in a game of tennis or any other physical activity once or twice a week. But make sure the cross trainers have firm heel, give the foot proper support, are light weight and cushioned.
Next time you go shoe shopping keep in mind these points and choose the one that is designed for your specific activity.
