85% of Us Are Wearing the Wrong Workout Shoes--Are You Among Them?
By: Nicole Nichols,
SparkPeople Blogger
9/4/2009 10:27 AM
: 111 comments
: 27,403 Views
Although I'm able to give people advice about finding the best fit for a running or workout shoe, I have to be honest. When it came to workout shoes, I always chose style over support. In the store, I'd ignore things like cushioning, stability, and fit. I'd stand back, look at the wall of shoes, and pick whichever ones I thought were prettiest. After all, I'm about to fork over $100 for these suckers. I want to like them! I want to be motivated when I wear them! Ugly shoes didn't have a place in my closet and they certainly didn't make me want to put them out and head to the gym. I was very brand loyal and I wanted a sweet looking pair of shoes to go with my cute workout clothes. I was a shoe snob.
I really should have known better. I was a runner in high school and I'm a fitness professional. I know how important shoes are when you're working out—they are your foundation, after all. But I didn't heed my own advice about getting fitted for shoes or wearing sport-specific ones either. I figured it didn't matter because I wasn't a "runner." Finally, being a slave to style caught up with me. I started experiencing debilitating knee pain on a regular basis— while I worked out, after I worked out, and even when I was sitting still. I could barely bend my knee to squat or lunge.
Talking to Coach Jen (an experienced runner) one day, she asked me what kind of shoes I was wearing. We both knew that I wore "the cute kind" and that it had been a while since I replaced them. We also agreed that I should have known better.
Maybe it was because I was desperate to rid myself of knee pain that I finally listened, but she convinced me to go to a local running store to get fitted. It wasn't easy. After all, I didn't like how any of the shoes looked style-wise. But I forced myself to look past their color and design and listen to my other senses—how the shoe felt. The staff was so helpful. I was probably there for two hours trying on every shoe that had "motion control" to help fix what was a killer overpronation problem (which was likely causing my knee pain). I tried those shoes in all sizes, too. I finally ended up with the shoe that felt the best to me. $130 and several months later, I have not experienced any knee pain.
Do I like how they look? Well, they're not stylish, in my opinion, but they're not exactly ugly either. They're kind of average, I guess, but they've grown on me. Are they my favorite brand? Nope, but maybe I'll become loyal to a NEW brand since these shoes make me feel so great. Am I glad I did it? You bet. I thought that shoes without style wouldn't motivate me to exercise. But as it turns out, I am MORE motivated to go for a run now because I feel so great when I do. And I realize how silly it was to care about what my shoes looked like. It's not a fashion show.
Happy feet make for a happy exerciser. If you're ready to treat your tootsies better, the following resources will help you get on your way:
The right shoe for you doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, a recent Consumer Reports test showed that some inexpensive sneakers, such as Champion brand sold at Target stood up well with high-priced ones.
Could you be one of the 85% of people who wears the wrong kind of shoe? Are (or were) you vain about your workout shoes (or shoe size) like I was?
I really should have known better. I was a runner in high school and I'm a fitness professional. I know how important shoes are when you're working out—they are your foundation, after all. But I didn't heed my own advice about getting fitted for shoes or wearing sport-specific ones either. I figured it didn't matter because I wasn't a "runner." Finally, being a slave to style caught up with me. I started experiencing debilitating knee pain on a regular basis— while I worked out, after I worked out, and even when I was sitting still. I could barely bend my knee to squat or lunge.
Talking to Coach Jen (an experienced runner) one day, she asked me what kind of shoes I was wearing. We both knew that I wore "the cute kind" and that it had been a while since I replaced them. We also agreed that I should have known better.
Maybe it was because I was desperate to rid myself of knee pain that I finally listened, but she convinced me to go to a local running store to get fitted. It wasn't easy. After all, I didn't like how any of the shoes looked style-wise. But I forced myself to look past their color and design and listen to my other senses—how the shoe felt. The staff was so helpful. I was probably there for two hours trying on every shoe that had "motion control" to help fix what was a killer overpronation problem (which was likely causing my knee pain). I tried those shoes in all sizes, too. I finally ended up with the shoe that felt the best to me. $130 and several months later, I have not experienced any knee pain.
Do I like how they look? Well, they're not stylish, in my opinion, but they're not exactly ugly either. They're kind of average, I guess, but they've grown on me. Are they my favorite brand? Nope, but maybe I'll become loyal to a NEW brand since these shoes make me feel so great. Am I glad I did it? You bet. I thought that shoes without style wouldn't motivate me to exercise. But as it turns out, I am MORE motivated to go for a run now because I feel so great when I do. And I realize how silly it was to care about what my shoes looked like. It's not a fashion show.
Happy feet make for a happy exerciser. If you're ready to treat your tootsies better, the following resources will help you get on your way:
- I found a great spread in the current (September) issue of SELF magazine called "Find Your Sole Mate." According to an American College of Sports Medicine report they cited, 85% of people wear running shoes that don't fit. That's not a little—that's a lot! And I was one of them! Here's a great little tip from the article: For the ideal fit, your big toe should be a thumbnail's distance from the end of the shoe. That could mean that you go up one or two sizes from your casual shoes for your workout/running shoes. I went up one full size when getting fitted for my new shoes. But my toes, which used to get a little sore from hitting the top of my shoe when I ran, sure do appreciate it. You can find an abbreviated version of this story online, but I'd recommend checking out the magazine while you can because it's full of many more tips than the online version contains.
- Nancy recently blogged not once but twice about finding the right shoe. She's got some great experience and tips to share, so check out her posts!
- SparkPeople's article "If the Shoe Fits, Wear It" is a pretty handy guide, not just for running shoes, but for all types of exercise shoes. For example, did you know that walking and running shoes are different and can't really be used interchangeably? Find out why and get more shoe shopping advice from the link above.
The right shoe for you doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, a recent Consumer Reports test showed that some inexpensive sneakers, such as Champion brand sold at Target stood up well with high-priced ones.
Could you be one of the 85% of people who wears the wrong kind of shoe? Are (or were) you vain about your workout shoes (or shoe size) like I was?
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Comments
As for the New Balance, I wear those in the winter because a) I can wear socks with them, and b) the uppers are, if not waterproof, at least more water resistant than the Five Fingers. I have wide feet, and it's hard finding shoes that fit. New Balance seems to one of the few brands I can find that come in the width I need. - 5/18/2012 2:24:40 PM
When I trained for walking a marathon, I went to a sports store where they watch your gait on a treadmill & recommend the right fit for one's needs. The store wants to be the top at what they do, and they want your return business, so they make a point to record your foot needs and assist their customers every way possible.
Due to the high cost of good shoes, I watch for when they have closeouts & sales. (small shop) The last time I bought 2 for a little more than the price of 1 pair! So I'm good for another year! - 10/23/2010 12:50:40 AM
I urge everyone to get a professional fitting if they are thinking about getting new shoes. If it's a good place then they usually don't even charge for the fitting...just the shoes. - 6/14/2010 1:44:17 AM
myself a pair of sandals fit & when I got them home I realized I really need a larger size.
Like clothes-sometimes it's hard to believe your feet have gotten larger! - 6/13/2010 9:18:18 AM
http://www.healthdietadvice.com - 9/16/2009 11:35:41 PM
I have always been aware that I need to replace my walking/running shoes every 3-6 months, especially when I weighed over 400 pounds! Now, I go by how broken in my shoes are. - 9/7/2009 8:24:22 PM
Oh--I'm an ASICS girl. Fit comes before fashion--but I like the way my shoes look, anyway. - 9/6/2009 10:53:22 PM
- 9/6/2009 9:39:11 PM
Even among running shoe stores, I think there are some people better than others at doing the fitting. And a big yes to the person who commented that you do have to replace them too! It is somtimes a pain that some brands change their models from year to year enough that they no longer fit the same--you can't always rely on next year's model fitting the same so sometimes it pays to get fitted again. To help with cost, I sometimes will re-buy the same model when it gets discounted at the end of the running season. - 9/6/2009 4:47:23 PM
But seriously, I did get fitted...and not at one of those big name stores either..went to a running store. Yes, they do cost me a few pretty pennies. HOWEVER...with my foot issues [flat, wide, no arch slightly raised knees & one slightly turned out foot] I HAVE to get the right shoes.
I signed up for coupons and sales....so instead of me spending $130 on my shoes, I'll spend perhaps $80. Then I purchase 2.
When they are no longer fit for running, I put in a sole insert & wear them to work since I stand all day.
And by the way, they are men's sneakers! - 9/6/2009 11:12:01 AM
I have foot issues, and one of those issues are bunions. I have one that I had fixed in 1994 and the left foot needs to be fixed pretty bad now. I NEED the extra room that running shoes give me in order to walk. I have only once been able to find a comfortable walking shoe, and those were Ryka's. The next years model was changed so much I went back to running shoes. That 2nd pair of Rykas were awful and just didn't fit correctly and actually slowed my walking pace. The way I walk, I wear my shoes down on the ball of the foot, and I wear $500 orthotics made by a podiatrist. I've worn pro made orthotics for 24 years.
I just don't think you should say always never when people are individual and so are their needs. - 9/5/2009 9:49:01 PM
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