We live in a world where we have options for everything, including workout shoes. Depending on the activity you choose, you can find the right one for it. For weight lifting, you want to pick shoes with a firm, flat grip on the ground, and for a gym class, you want to invest in a pair that is supportive with ample cushioning (via Health).
If you are a runner, you want to get shoes that are light, don’t pinch, and don’t make your feet sweat too much, and your best bet is the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2, which won the Best In Test award (via Runner’s World). If you are a bit of an all-rounder and want to use the workout shoes to do a bit of running and other activities, you can choose the Reebok Nano. They are perfect for cross-training, HIIT workouts, and running as they are built to accommodate all kinds of movements, per Sports Shoes. Most pairs may look the same, but they are all made with a particular activity in mind, so you can benefit from the exercise with the right amount of shock absorption, cushioning, and stability.
Now that you know that it is possible to pick shoes based on the kind of activity you will be engaging in, it is also important to note that choosing the wrong exercise shoes can be uncomfortable and may even injure you. Megan Leahy, D.P.M., a podiatrist in Chicago, Illinois, told Shape, “Many injuries of the feet and ankles can be traced back to ill-fitting shoes.”
Here’s what can happen to you if you wear the wrong workout shoes
There are simple ways to tell when you’re wearing the wrong workout shoes, but if you don’t check, you might find yourself with long-term injuries. It’s therefore always helpful to ask a professional at a shoe store to find the perfect pair for you.
According to Verywell Fit, one of the most common ways of telling that the exercise shoes aren’t working is when you experience pain when wearing them. You can feel anything from shin splints to joint pains. If you’re a runner, you should replace your shoes after approximately 300 miles of activity. Another obvious sign is when you lose a toenail or have bruising because the toe box is too small, which puts extra pressure on your toes (via Shape). You should leave a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe to avoid shoe-related injuries. You may know one of the most uncomfortable shoe-related issues as jogger’s toe, but this condition can be prevented. Moreover, Shoe Fit Pro says that wearing the wrong shoes can affect your nerve tissues and lead to neuroma, the numbing of your feet. They outlet adds that the development of bunions and tendonitis are also bad signs.
Another red flag that you are wearing the wrong workout shoes is if they look worn from overuse. If the rubber outsole is worn out or the midsole looks compressed, it’s time you get yourself a new pair (via Self).
Originally published at https://www.thelist.com on February 4, 2022.