Play Like The Pros: Buying Training Shoes
Author: Dana Bradley
You're not just a fan, you're a player. You don't settle
for
being an armchair quarterback, you get out there and get in
the
game. But professional athletes have trainers and other
experts
to help them choose the best gear to maximize their
performance
and minimize risk of injury. How can you make sure that your
gear gets it done? In almost every sport, your footwear is
one
of the most important pieces of equipment you will wear.
Whether
you need to run for long distances or be able to stop and
turn
on a dime, the difference between the right shoes and the
wrong
shoes can mean the difference between spending your day on
the
field, or on the sidelines. Here are some tips to buying
athletic shoes.
First, what activity will you be spending most of your time
doing? Athletic shoes have come a long way from your basic
sneaker, and are specialized for different sports. There are
some good shoes out there for any activity, called cross
trainers. If you vary your activity widely, say play a
pickup
basketball game one week and take an aerobics class the
next,
these are probably fine. But if you spend the bulk of your
time
doing one or two sports, shoes customized for those
activities
will be best for your feet. If you are a runner, cushioning
is
important since your feet will be pounding on the running
surface repeatedly. You also want to make sure that the sole
of
your shoe is flexible enough, allowing for your foot to bend
as
your contact with the road or track goes from heel to toe.
If
you do a lot of walking, your shoe will be similar in terms
of
needing lots of cushioning, but should be less flexible near
the
toe.
Another big factor in choosing athletic shoes is the shape
of
your foot. Like people in general, feet come in all shapes
and
sizes, and buying a shoe that is not only a top performer
for
your sport, but also fits your foot properly, is crucial to
avoiding pain and injury. Your area of greatest concern will
be
your arch. People with high arches tend to put more pressure
on
the outside of their feet. Look for good cushioning through
the
heel, and especially under the arch. If you have low or
almost
no arches, you will need more cushioning across the middle
of
the foot, to avoid uneven pressure on the inside of your
feet.
About the Author
Dana Bradley writes about Stacy Adams Coupons,6pm
coupons and Shoes
Codes.
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