The Right Workout Shoes!!

Go to Lukes Locker and have them fit and recommend a shoe for you. They will examine your walking style and will recomend a shoe for you. I have rolling arches and need very good arch support and have been wearing a certain type of Asics for several years. They keep the shoe style on file for me or I just take them in. I used to wear orthodics but once Lukes fitted me, I do not have to wear them while I work out...keep in mind, I work out 5 to 6 days a week. You may pay a few extra bucks for the shoes but they have sales from time to time.

Go to Luke's Locker. They will watch how you walk and get you set up in the right shoe. Asics work great for me and my husband but there are different types of Asics for different types of feet.

I agree with the person that said you need different shoes for the different activities. I have super high arches and I like Ryka shoes for aerobics.

-L.

i agree with checking out luke's or run on but don't forget about new balance. i prefer luke's! i bought my last pair of running shoes there and have not had knee problems like i had with my previous pair of shoes.

Find a RUNON store and have them fit you! It has helped me so much. I haven't been able to run since a highschool car accident, but now I can. They analyzed my arch, instep, and gait.....great service from them!!!!

I would go to Luke's Locker or Run On stores. They will watch you walk and run and recommend the right shoes for you.

I love Ryka for aerobics too. But something very important that you must do regardless of your shoes is... stretching out your shins. Before and after exercising move your foot up and down for each leg and rotate them around too. Do it also any other time you think about it... I used to have shin splints all the time and since I stretch better I haven't gotten any! Best wishes!

Have you tried opting out of the super supportive and motion control type of shoe? If you've never gone 'au naturel' before, you have to transition in slowly. I still don't run barefoot - I'm not a big fan of callouses on my feet, so I use Nike Free shoes and love them. Eventually, I'd like to go to a Vibram Five Fingers shoe, which is like a glove for your feet. Running (close to) barefoot has eliminated knee and shin pain for me (and raised my flat arches). :) I can't say it's right for you, but it's definitely worth a try to find out for yourself.

I can't speak to the aerobic class, just the running since that's all I do besides yoga (barefoot) and weight lifting (flip flops).

If you Google 'barefoot running' you can find all kinds of reading material.

Hi E.-
I am the manager of a speciality running store in Arlington, TX which is a ways from you, however here is some advice I can give you :)
Shoes are made for different types of feet, different arches, and different activities. For your aerobics, I would highly suggest some type of cross training as they are built to hold your foot straight for side to side activities. If you are doing this type of stuff in a running or walking shoe, you will often have pain in the arch area because your feet are working hard to hold you steady.
Running or walking shoes however are built to where you feet sit on top of the cushioning to give you the best shock protection. But you sacrafice the side to side support with a running shoe. The shin splints are usually caused by starting new activities a lot of the time because they aren't used to the activity, and stretching really helps. Both before and especially after in my opinion. Shin splints can also be caused because you overpronate, or roll to the inside of the shoe in your gait (the way your feet strike and transition from heel to toe as you run/walk).

If you can make it to a running store close to you, that is what I would reccommend doing as they can look at your gait and arches to determine what category of shoe would work best for you. Here is a link to runnersworld.com with the stores within a 200 mile radius from perryton as that is where you indicated you are from. http://runnersworld.com/shoe/retailer/1,,s6-240-417-0-0-0...

Also, if you are able or ever in the DFW area, we would be happy to help you at The Runner Shop www.therunnershop.com.

Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions!
Good luck,
L.

Many, many (many) years ago when I taught group fitness classes, I was taught that the motion of toe tapping side to side (make a rainbow with your toe) can help with the fatigue and pain associated with shin splints. It warms them up and strengthens the muslce that surrounds it. I know they still do them in warm up and cool downs in aerobic classes like step.
Just thought I'd share. :)

Hi E., all shoes fit differently for all people. I would recommend going to Run On. There are several stores around town and they will watch you walk, ask you questions about your workout and then pull some styles to try. I started going a few years ago and they are great. I'm not a runner but after we talked I found out I was wearing the wrong size and the ones that were the most comfortable were Nike's. I've never worn Nike's before but these are my all time favorite workout shoe. Hope this helps

You should be wearing different shoes for running than you do for aerobics. Side to side is different then forward running. Don't know where you live, but there is a place in Spring called Fleet Feet. They have you run in socks only on a treadmill to watch your arch and then make suggestions based on your foot. Try finding a place that does the same. Fleet Feet is a running store.

I used to run with a neighbor and she gave me a great piece of advice about shin splints - put your toes on the edge of a step and bounce your heels down toward the lower step. Do that after every walk/run. She said that when you run you are strengthening the back of your legs but not the front, leading to those muscles hurting. This helps strengthen the front muscle and the shin splints go away. I tried it and it works like a charm.

I love my Brooks, and their website will recommend th right shoes for your feet and activity, but I agree with everyone else that you should go to Luke's first.

Get ASICS! Nike shox are not good for support, just good for looks. They actually cause shin splints! I work for 24 Hour Fitness and standing on my feet all day and working out is my job so I definitely know what I'm talking about!

Try Run On. It's a running store and they do the same thing.

Go to Luke's Locker on Oaklawn in Dallas. They will not only show you what the right shoe is for your problems and your activity, they will fit you with the shoe. It is worth every penny.

VickiS