Five Tips to Buy Training Shoes

Your exercise program starts with what you wear when working out. For jogging, running, and even walking, the right training shoes make all the difference. Even if you engage mostly in strength training, having the right shoes will help minimize injuries.



What follows are five tips to buy training shoes, so you get the pair that works best for you.

Proper Fit

This may seem like an obvious tip, but you may be surprised how many people overlook this most important aspect of purchasing training shoes. The shoes themselves should be snug, but not too tight across the top of your feet. You should feel the sides of the shoes conform around your feet.
However, you will need some wiggle room for your toes. There should be about a half-inch between the big toe and the front of the shoe. This will ensure that your foot has enough room inside to move around a little, but not rub against the inside of the shoe.

Comfort

In some ways, comfort is just as important as the fit of the shoe. Both go together as you engage in your exercises. The shoes should remain comfortable even when you are flexing your feet when doing different exercises. In addition, the materials of the shoes should be light enough, so they do not cause strain to your feet, ankles, or lower legs.
When putting on the shoes for the first time, walk around, stretch, stand on your toes, and bend from side to side to ensure they are comfortable as well as properly fitting.



Bonus Tip: Wear the socks you normally would have on when working out. That way, you can know for sure if the shoes fit and are comfortable for you.

Support

You may notice that running shoes are rather thin and lightweight compared to cross-trainers which have considerable padding and support. If you are running, then you will need plenty of support inside the shoe to hold up the arches of your feet.
For cross-training, the key is stability which means that your feet stay in place when lifting weights or performing resistance exercises. Either way, proper support means that the arches of your feet receive the necessary lift to stay in place when you are working out.

Durability

Training shoes are not just a purchase, they are an investment. Make sure the shoes are made from solid materials that will last for a long time. However, even the best training shoes can wear out rather quickly. To combat this, purchase two pairs of identical shoes and alternate them for your workouts.

Heel Level

Last, but not least, the lower the heel of the shoe, the closer to the ground it will be so you can push off and pivot properly. Heels that are too high put too much strain on your ankles. So, you will need to have the proper height to your heels for the shoes to work.



By following the five tips to buy training shoes, you can get more out of your workouts. Plus, you can reduce the chances of injury. Be sure to purchase the right types of training and running shoes so you can get the most out of your exercise routines.