Sign up for Antonio's newsletter

Mike:
As a personal trainer I’ve see it all. I have witnessed people attempting to workout in boots, sandals and yes you guessed, bare feet! This type of behavior has caused most gym’s to make strict rules on the type of shoes you are allowed to wear. I personally believe it’s very important to invest in at least one good pair of workout shoes.

Wearing the wrong type of shoes can obviously be dangerous in an environment where people are lifting and dropping heavy weights but there are other reasons to choose the right type of foot wear. It is important to pick a shoe that is made for the type of activity you plan on doing. Wearing the wrong type of shoe can certainly cause injuries. I once observed someone wearing clogs during a workout, big mistake. Can you imagine the amount stress this person was putting on their lower back.

There are three types of shoes that most gym rats should be aware of. They include the running, training and cross training shoe. Most shoe companies have different names for these shoes so you will have to do your homework in order to figure out which one contains the things you need.

If you spend most of your time doing cardio you will need a good running shoe. These shoes are light and have good arch supports. They are made to absorb the high impact of activities such as running, jogging and jumping. They also tend to have a good tread on the bottom to grip the road. These shoes can be used both indoors and out. Using the wrong shoe to run can defiantly cause leg, knee and lower back pain.

Lifting weights requires a shoe that provides more stability. Look for a training shoe with good ankle support and a flat sole. Most athletic shoes have a higher arch and heal that acts as a shock absorber. Weight lifting shoes are different. They are made to provide good traction and support on smooth flat surfaces. They usually ride a little higher up the ankle than the average shoe. These shoes should only be worn in the gym because the tread will wear out quickly if used outdoors.

If you split your workouts between a variety of cardio and weigh training you will need a cross training shoe. Cross trainers are basically a hybrid combining good shock absorption with stability. These shoes are made to be used by people that do a little of everything. They are a little harder to identify because they have characteristics of both running and training shoes.

It’s important to remember that all shoes eventually wear out. The best way to extend the life of your shoes is to rotate through a couple pairs. I own a pair specifically for weight training and one for cardio. This allows me to get the best of both worlds. I usually replace my shoes every 4-5 months depending on my activity level. Remember wearing old worn out shoes is just as bad as wearing the wrong type.

So the next time you are experiencing pain in your lower back or legs you may need to look down at your feet. The solution could be as simple as buying the right type of shoes.