Arm Your Feet!

You’ve made a commitment to get fit and have become a cross-training maven. Running on Monday, cycling on Tuesday, tennis on Wednesday, interval-training on Thursday and Zumba on Friday, you do it all.  You’ve spent time choosing the perfect bike to ride and racquet to use. You own all the appropriate apparel for each activity and look like you just stepped off the cover of Fitness Magazine. Yet, if I look in your shoe closet I’d only find a single pair of sneakers; and the reason is usually because you don’t consider what you put on your feet to hold that much importance. Sure you want your kicks to look good, but it doesn’t go much further beyond that. Nevertheless, the fact of the matter is footwear can greatly impact your athletic performance.

Categorizing your sneakers as a fashion accessory instead of a necessary piece of sports equipment is a mistake. You would never show up to play tennis with a baseball bat instead of your racquet, would you? Of course not! So why would you wear running shoes to play tennis? Donning the appropriate sneakers will not only improve your performance by helping you move more quickly and efficiently around the court, it will also help to avoid potential foot and ankle injuries. When a shoe is labeled as running, walking, cross-trainer, basketball and so forth, it was built to work best for that particular activity and the actions involved in that sport. For tennis, the manufacturer creates a shoe that can withstand lots of lateral movement and provide ankle support. Running shoes are built to accommodate forward motion and high impact movements. Wearing these while playing tennis won’t give you the advantage or support needed.

I know what your thinking. Sneakers are expensive and it is going to cost a fortune if I have to buy a separate pair for each sport. On the contrary, it won’t cost you anything additional if you are already changing your footwear regularly. Athletic shoes have a life span and should be replaced when they are worn-down. A good rule of thumb - for group exercise classes that you participate in at least three times a week, figure that you'll probably need to replace your shoes every 9-12 months - if you're jogging five miles three times a week, every 5-8 months is recommended. Therefore, if you have five different pair of sneakers for each activity, you will need to replace each less often then if you had one pair that you were wearing every day. So, while the initial investment may seem steep, you’ll be spending no more in the long run. And the potential savings on would-be injuries is immeasurable. 

Why not get out there and go shopping today? While it’s tempting to shop online and buy the great pair that you read about in your favorite magazine, you should try on several sneakers in each variety to ensure that the fit is right for you. With , , Bob’s Sports and right here in town, your choices are endless. You’ll be sure to find the perfect shoes for all your needs.