Shoes Are the Foundation of Life By Brad Nickell At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

No matter what type of exercise you are performing you must choose your workout shoes carefully. From walking to high impact aerobics, the shoes you wear will help support your joints from injury, protect your feet, and reduce strain to your back. There is no doubt that choosing workout shoes can be confusing. It seems there is a workout shoe for every activity and then there are shoes that provide a multiple of benefits and can be used for more than one activity. Here are some guidelines that will help you find the best workout shoes for your fitness needs.

Determine what type of arch your feet have. A simple test that you can take is to step on a piece of cardboard with wet feet. Look at the footprint that is left. If you can visibly see nearly all of your foot, with the toes, heel, and imprint from the sole then you have low arches. Those with a high arch will see very little imprint from the sole, but the majority of the print will be from the toes and heel. Once you know what type of arches you have, you’ll be able to determine whether you overpronate or underpronate.

Overpronation is commonly seen in those who have low arches. When someone overpronates, their foot turns inward when they are walking. Underpronation is frequently seen in those with a high arch and involves walking or stepping off of the outer edge of the foot. Knowing whether you overpronate or underpronate will help you choose the best workout shoe for your individual foot type. Those who underpronate or who have trouble with their joints should choose workout shoes that provide ample cushioning.

Those who tend to overpronate should make certain that the workout shoe they select has a very firm heel and upper, or the area that supports the ankle. This will reduce the chance of the foot turning in when working out and provides the support required to prevent injury.

People who underpronate need to select a workout shoe that is flexible. A simple test that can be used to determine the flexibility of a shoe is to grip the heel and the middle section of the shoe and twist in opposite directions. Check for flexibility by determining how much give the shoe has.

It’s important to realize that as you age your feet will also increase in size. Other activities can cause your feet to increase so make certain to have your feet properly measured. By knowing your particular foot type, you can choose a workout shoe that is not only appropriate for your specified exercise and fitness goals, but will also accommodate the needs and requirements of your feet.

Your feet are the base of who you are. Protecting them with the right gear is important, in fact it is vital. If your feet are in bad shape than your whole body will suffer. Take care of your feet with good support and shoes that fit you right.

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