Contrary to what most people think, you need certain shoes for all sorts of exercises including walking, jogging, sprinting, hiking, playing sports on hard ground, grass, or gravel – and the list goes on. Before your next workout session, make sure you’re wearing the right kind of sneakers. If you’re unclear regarding the differences, just ask your trainer.

Group Classes

For classes such as Zumba, kickboxing, kettle bells or spinning, you’ll need good sneakers that have a multi-purpose outsole and low profile midsole.

TRY
Asics Gel-Ipera – They are fun, lightweight and stable with the perfect amount of cushioning required for sudden movements in classes.

“The right shoe can dramatically improve your workout results, allowing you to run faster, jump higher, and keep up longer. The wrong shoe can cause both short and long-term injuries.” – Kit Rich, fitness expert

Walking Shoes

The ideal walking shoes must have extra cushioning in the heel since that’s what hits the ground first.

TRY
Orthaheel Women’s Action Walker – The heel is padded and an additional benefit is that they are great for alignment.

Running Shoes

Running (and/or jogging) shoes must have the following features: cushioning and motion control.

“The more tired a runner gets, the worse their form is and the more they need protection and stability each time their foot strikes the ground.” – Mark Sheehan, vice president of Product Development at K-Swiss

TRY
Asics Gel-DS Trainer 14 – They are super lightweight and sturdy. They also consist of feather-light gel padding.

Sprinting Shoes

Sprinting and running shoes do not differ much, but sprinting shoes need to have more cushioning and padding in order to absorb any abrupt movements

TRY

Mizuno Wave Creation 13 – Consists of two layers of padding to ensure smooth running sessions.

Cross-training Shoes

If you’re lifting weights and doing circuit training, you’ll need sturdy shoes that comfortably fit and don’t let your foot move around.

TRY
Ryka Enhance Cross Trainers – “Ryka shoes take into account the fact that women’s feet are narrower in the heel and wider in the forefoot.” – Jessica Turner, vice president of Channel Merchandising and Footwear Expert for FootSmart

Cover Photo Credit: crossfitironborough.com