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With this month’s Feel Good Challenge on your mind, you might be wondering where to start when it comes to footwear.
Shoes suddenly become a lot more complicated when the focus is on exercise instead of fashion, and unfortunately picking a pair in your favorite colour won’t do much good once you’re out on the road.
The problem is that you only have to be in a sports shoe store for about ten seconds to be completely confused, as there seems to be a sports shoe in every style, for every activity. There’s no need to be overwhelmed though. The key to finding the right shoe for you lies in answering a few simple questions…
Why is it important to wear the right shoes? Would you jump in the behind the wheel of an MX5 to drive down a dirt road, up a mountain and through a river? No. You’d find a vehicle that suits the terrain, is going to finish the trip and do can do it with ease. The same rule applies to finding your shoes. Wearing any old pair of sneakers is not only going to make it harder to work out, but can lead to serious health problems in the long run. Shin splints, aching knees, bunions and pinched nerves are just a few of the side effects you’ll suffer if you’re in the wrong footwear and these ailments can turn into long term injuries.
What shoe should I be wearing then? Every individual has their own unique foot type and therefore a specific set of needs. In choosing the right shoe, first identify what foot type you are and then think about what kind of activity you will be doing. Here are some general rules to remember. Running:These shoes are designed for straight-ahead motion and are structured to cushion your feet, while keeping you stable and supported. There are numerous styles of running shoes specially tailored to correct weaknesses, maximise stability and minimise impact.
Cross-Training: Cross trainers are great if you are into aerobics or doing light weight training. Also suitable for a warm up jogs or wearing in the gym, they aren’t as high tech as running shoes because they don’t need the custom features required for intense activity.
Foot Type Only a specialist or podiatrist can accurately tell you what type you are, so make sure you are tested before you invest in new shoes. Most sports shoe shops now have the technology and expertise on hand for this assessment and you can have it done at places like Shoe Clinic, Athlete’s Foot and Smith’s Shoes, free of charge. A simple test will tell you which of the following you are:
Overpronator: Your foot strikes on the outside, rolling excessively inward. This is a common problem for many and can be rectified by wearing shoes that are straight or semi-curved and have good, solid arch support.
Supinator: The opposite problem to the overpronater, your foot underpronates and rolls outward when your foot strikes the ground. This means that your feet don’t absorb shock very well, so you need shoes that are curved, or semi curved, and force your feet to pronate.
Neutral: The best type to have. Your foot lands on the outside then rolls slightly inward, absorbing shock. Your shoes don’t need to work to correct or change the way your feet hit the ground, so your shoes only need to be semi-curved and have moderate cushioning and support.
You can do a basic test at home, before seeing a specialist, to give you a rough idea of which type you are. Simply stand barefoot in front of a mirror and do a squat or lunge. Watch the arches of your feet and you will see whether they roll inward (overpronation), roll outward (supination) or stay neutral (neutral).
Tips for shopping
Look for shoes at the end of the day when your feet are more swollen. This way you won’t accidentally buy a pair that are too small.
Ask the salesperson to assist you. Most have received training and will be helpful in defining exactly what kind of shoe you need depending on your training needs and foot type.
Break your shoes in slowly. Don’t attempt to wear them for extended periods of time right away, as they will need to adjust to the natural shape your feet. Try alternating them with your current shoes for the first week or two until they are broken in.
Wearing the right shoes will make a huge difference to your feet and body. Knowing that your shoes you are minimising the chance of injury and supporting you as you move will mean one less thing on your mind, so you can fix your full attention on the exercise ahead.
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might be wondering where to start when it comes to footwear. 
Would you jump in the behind the wheel of an MX5 to drive down a dirt road, up a mountain and through a river? No. You’d find a vehicle that suits the terrain, is going to finish the trip and do can do it with ease. The same rule applies to finding your shoes. Wearing any old pair of sneakers is not only going to make it harder to work out, but can lead to serious health problems in the long run. Shin splints, aching knees, bunions and pinched nerves are just a few of the side effects you’ll suffer if you’re in the wrong footwear and these ailments can turn 
