Questions about workout shoes

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2006
Questions about workout shoes
7
Wed, 04-19-2006 - 10:24am

How can you tell when you need new shoes? Also, does it really matter what kind you get (walking/running/crosstraining/etc)? If I plan to work up to running...should I get a running shoe even tho I will be walking mostly for the next couple months? Is there a real difference in name brands?


Kim


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Wed, 04-19-2006 - 11:14am

Well - here's my take on that.

                            

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Wed, 04-19-2006 - 12:21pm

Hey Kim!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Wed, 04-19-2006 - 12:33pm

Cute pixie!!!


Here's what I was told by the guy, working at A Snail's Pace (a store for runners).


The TYPE of shoes make a HUGE difference in how you feel (legs, feet, body, etc). So, yes, get the right kind of shoes for the type of activity you're doing.


BRAND doesn't matter. What matters is HOW THE SHOE FITS (sorry, not yelling, I'm stressing those points, and am too lazy to hit the B button for bold).
i.e. Nike is a good brand, the guy said so, however, with my foot, Nike's will NEVER EVER feel good to me in any way, (btw, they don't, I've had a pair, they hurt). He had me try on 4 different pairs fit for my foot. (I'm going to try and find my link regarding shoes......and post it here).


Link to my talk about getting fitted for running shoes: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-fbfitthirty/?msg=10540.13


Anyhow. I tried 4 different brands, and he chose the style of shoe fit for my running type, weight, and what I'll be doing. He had me run outside to see if i pronate or not. I also got to go run outside with the shoes I tried on. I ended up with a pair of Asics. They sersiously felt like I wasn't wearing anything. BIG toe box, tighter on the ankles (which is the shape of my foot, :))


Running shoes last for 300-500 miles. It obviously depends on how much you run, weight, what you run on, etc. The sales guy told me mine should last an easy 6 months, but I should definitely replace them after a year. Regardless if I even hit the 300 mile mark or not.


So, if your shoe is over a year old, toss them. If you have ran 300 miles in a short time, toss them. If you can, go to a running store and get fitted. I did and I'm sooo happy I did. Granted I did buy the shoe there, and it was like $120, but I have no regrets whatsoever. Now, when I run, my feet dont' hurt, don't ache, don't feel cramped etc.


As for running/walking....if you are doing intervals, I would definitely go with running shoes. Do NOT NOT NOT go for a cross-trainer period. They're too heavy. If you know you're only going to walk for the next few months, and according to your ticker, you don't seem to be overly overweight, I'd go for the running shoe. Again, if you can, get fitted by a pro. If not, try on A LOT of shoes at

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2006
Wed, 04-19-2006 - 5:02pm

Thanks everyone for

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2004
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 10:00am

I see you got an answer from several of the ladies here. I just wanted to add that I'm a walker working on running. I got running shoes, and I would recommend them, even though I walk most of the time. They have made a difference.


lorie6-26-09.png Lorie 6-26-09 picture by runningwomen

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2006
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 10:32am

Thanks. Where did you buy your running shoes from?


Kim


iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2004
Thu, 04-20-2006 - 10:52am

I got mine from Lady Foot Locker. They have really good sales on good shoes sometimes. I keep an eye open when I need new shoes. I have a pair of Nike's and a pair of asics.


I really should go to the Tortoise and Hare in Ann Arbor and get fitted by the experts though (no offense to Foot Locker - just that I bought basic stock shoes in my usual size). SO's daughter went to Tortoise and Hare to get her shoes for track when she was in high school. She and SO were pretty happy with them.


You will probably be able to find a good running store when you're ready to get those running shoes.


lorie6-26-09.png Lorie 6-26-09 picture by runningwomen