How To Compare Women's Aerobic Shoes

When comparing women’s aerobic shoes, be sure to consider your activity: What works in step class may not be good for a Latin dance class, and what’s good for running could be damaging for kickboxing. The shoe you choose should support and protect your unique foot shape during your specific activity, on the particular floor surface where you work out.

Definition

An aerobic or training shoe is different from a walking or running shoe. According to the American Council on Exercise, aerobics shoes are designed to support you when you move in any direction, not just forward. The soles are usually flatter than a running shoe, with about the same amount of padding under the ball of the foot and the heel to accommodate impact forces from jumping. Aerobic shoes should have less traction on the bottom than a running shoe because too much gripping action during twisting and turning motions could damage your knees over time.

General-Purpose Shoes

If you take a boot-camp, circuit-training, interval-training or step class, a general-purpose aerobics shoe that suits your foot should meet your needs. According to ACE, two key factors for step shoes are padding under the front half of the foot and traction on the bottom to keep you from slipping off the step.
Also consider the floor surface. If you exercise on concrete, cushioning is critical. For low-pile carpet floors, look for shoes with smoother soles that aren’t likely to get tangled in the fibers.

Dance Shoes

If you take a dance-based aerobics class, look for shoes with less traction on the soles. Sneakers intended for dance fitness sometimes have a smooth sole with a “spin dot” under the ball of the big toe. Dance sneakers have smooth rubber soles that take the pressure off your ankles and knees when doing twisting motions and pivots. These shoes are great for Latin-based dance classes and can make it easier to do hip-twisting moves.

Flexibility/Stability

When comparing shoes, test out the stability and flexibility first. ACE recommends holding the shoe by the toe and heel and bending it into a U. If the shoe doesn’t bend easily, it’s too stiff and will hurt your feet. On the other hand, if it rolls up like a potato bug, then the shoe won’t offer enough support.
Test the back of the shoe by pinching the sides of the heel. If the heel collapses too easily, the shoe will not protect you from rolling over the edge of the shoe base, which this could lead to a fall or sprain. Last, hold the shoe flat and try twisting the toe one way and the heel another. The shoe should offer some resistance to this move, an indication that it will protect your foot during sideways movements.

Considerations

Don’t forget the needs of your unique feet. According to ACE, if you have a high arch, a shoe offering shock absorption and side stability will help protect you from sprains. If you have flat feet, then look for arch and heel support. An experienced salesperson at a well-respected athletic shoe store will be able to help you find the right shoe for your foot. Even if you think you know your shoe size, ask the salesperson to measure you. Feet change over time.