Finding the Right Running Shoes

By Katie Rasmussen

What you put on your feet before you exercise can have an impact on your entire body. Make no mistake, shoes are the most crucial piece of equipment you can buy.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

First determine what type of exercise you are planning on doing. There are different types of shoes for different activities and while you may wear some shoes for a couple of activities, there are some big differences too. For example, you don't want to run in court shoes. Court shoes are very firm and are meant to hold your ankles steady so you can make sudden stops and turns. Running shoes on the other hand are very flexible and light weight. So know your activity of choice before you decide to go invest in a pair of shoes. Let's talk about running/walking shoes since those tend to be the most difficult to fit people for.

Find a store that specializes in running/walking and has a wealth of knowledge about footwear. Buying a pair of running shoes at a large sports department store, you will find a large selection of brands and models, but you won't get a specialized fitting for your feet. A good running shoe store will put you on a treadmill and watch you run or walk, and they'll videotape your gait and decide what type of stability you need. There's no charge for this, it's just good customer service and they don't want you coming back in a week saying your knees are totally torn up from the shoes, or that your ankles are so sore you can't walk. Typically running shoes are broken down into 3 categories of stability; light, moderate, and high. As we age, and perhaps have children, our running shoe needs may change over time, so don't be surprised if what worked when you were 20, doesn't anymore, or if your feet are a size bigger than they were pre-kids. Your running shoes should always be a ½ size bigger than your regular shoes so your toes don't hit the end of the shoe. A good pair of running shoes should be in the ballpark of $80-$120, and you should only buy shoes on-line if you know exactly what shoes you need and have used them before. They should be replaced every 300-500 miles.

The final tip for buying running/walking shoes is that just like medications, shoes have different effects on different bodies. There is no one pair that is the best shoe, they effect people differently, so be sure to get all of the information you need to make a healthy choice, and pick whatever works for you and your feet!

Katie Rasmussen is a writer for http://www.fitmom3.com - She is a mother of 3 boys who struggled with weight and fitness and has found support through friends. After completing 4 marathons, 3 1/2 marathons, 2 1/2 Ironmans, 6 triathlons, and 1 century bike ride, Katie is committed to helping other moms believe in themselves and find the strength within to be a fit mom!

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