I think shopping for workout shoes can be really overwhelming. I mean, when you go into the shoe section of a store, there are shoes EVERYWHERE! Rows of running shoes. Aisles of cross-trainers. Where do you even start?

Now, I know it can be tempting to choose a shoe based on the cool factor. I’ve been known to struggle with that myself.  However, by picking the right shoes, you could be saving yourself a lot of ankle, knee and even back pain. The right shoes can even help prevent injuries!

So let’s start sifting through shoes by type.  There are several major categories of workout shoes: walking shoes, running shoes and cross-trainers.  Let me break these down even further.

Walking Shoes. There are really three key things you should look for if you are shopping for walking shoes: shock absorption, stability and comfort. These three factors will ease the stress on your body and joints, so those long walks won’t wear on your body. I recommend shopping for your new shoes at the end of the day.  Feet often swell during the day, so you won’t end up accidentally buying shoes that are too small!

Running Shoes. Due to the higher levels of stress that running can take on the body, it’s even more important to find a running shoe that will suit your foot type. One of the main things to be aware of is the pronation of your foot.  There are three major types:

1. Underpronation – high arches. The best shoe for this foot type is a cushioned shoe. 
2. Overpronation – flat feet. The best shoe for this foot type is a motion-control shoe.
3. Normal – regular arch. The best shoe for this foot type is a stability shoe.

Cross-training Shoes. If you’re involved in a variety of workout activities, like aerobics, weight-lifting and kickboxing, cross-trainers are your best bet. When shopping, look for a wide cushioned sole to provide side-to-side support. This will help prevent your ankle from rolling. The shoe should be supportive, but not too tight.

Also, try following these guidelines for fitting when you are shopping for shoes:

• Shop in socks. When buying your shoes, make sure to wear the same socks that you would typically wear while working out. Different socks can affect the way your shoes will fit.


• Leave a little room. You should have about a half inch of space between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe. (It shouldn’t be enough that your foot can slide around, though.)


• Try them out. To get a true feel for how the shoes will work on your feet, leave them on and walk around for 10 minutes. Sometimes after a few minutes, you may become aware of discomfort that you hadn’t noticed before.

With these few things in mind, you can now walk confidently into the athletic shoe department and make an informed decision!  And just maybe, the shoes that are right for you will still have that cool factor that we all love!

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