Step up for BETTER FITNESS!

Choose the right shoes now and your feet will thank you for years to come!

Next time you head out for some exercise, take a quick look at your shoes. Are they made for running? Walking? Lifting weights?

Whatever activity you’re doing, choosing the right footwear is one of the best investments you can make for your feet. Just as importantly, it can prevent pain in other parts of your body such as your back, ankles and even your knees.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

“When we exercise we are asking more of our body and more of our feet than usual,” says Sarah Sweeney, podiatrist and founder of Sarah Sweeney Podiatry. “Therefore, we need more support than usual.”

At the same time, your trusty walking shoes might not cut it for running or HIIT. “Our standard gait – the way we walk – is usually exaggerated during exercise,” she explains.

For instance, if your feet tend to pronate (roll inwards) slightly when you walk, this can become an even bigger problem during intense training. “If we over-pronate when we run or do HIIT, we will pronate even more than when we walk,” Sweeney says. “Different types of exercise require different movements.”

PREVENT BACK PAIN