Your feet are subjected to a tremendous amount of stress during ordinary activity. While exercising, your feet take a downright beating. The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, or AAPSM, reports that during a 10-mile jog, your feet strike the ground 15,000 times at a force that is three to four times your body weight. That's just one reason why choosing the right gym shoe, which is determined by foot structure, is crucial for foot health.
Maximum Stability
People with flat feet, overpronating runners and those over 180 pounds should wear shoes with maximum stability. Flat feet refer to a condition in which one or both feet do not have a normal arch. You know you are flat-footed if your entire foot touches the ground when you stand up. Overpronating is when the foot tends to roll inward. Brands that manufacture shoes for maximum stability for men and women include Asics, Brooks, New Balance, Nike and Saucony.
The Gel-Evolution 5 by Asics has a lightweight midsole and enhanced support and stability. Brooks Addiction 9 is designed for large men and women with severe pronation and flatfeet. It has a roll bar plate that keeps the foot in a neutral position when running.
Stability
Structural features of shoes designed for stability include minimization of overpronation, flexibility and cushioning. The majority of athletic shoes on the market have this combination of features. The New Balance 890 is a running shoe designed for men and women. It provides maximum absorption, has a removable cushioned insert and is 30 percent lighter than comparable shoes. The Nike Air Span+ 6 is specifically designed to lessen the impact of running while providing support and cushioning. ProGrid series, by Saucony, is an athletic shoe for men and women. The Grid Getgo for men is a lightweight shoe with an integrated plate in the midsole for heel to toe strike-off comfort. The ProGrid Hurricane 12 is just one of many shoes the AAPSM recommends for stability. It provides optimal support with arch-fitting technology.
Neutral
Neutral shoes are appropriate for running and non-aerobic activities. These shoes provide little in the way of extra stabilization features and are designed for those who are not prone to injury, have normal arches and few pronation irregularities. Asics, Brooks, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike and Saucony manufacture men's and women's gym shoes for neutral use. Adidas AdiStar Ride 3 are ultra light with a snug build, heel cushioning and midfoot contouring.
Choosing Gym Shoes
Gym shoes are just as much a fashion item as clothing. Each season, shoe manufacturers introduce the newest gym shoe with the latest technology. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggest trying on athletic shoes at the end of the day when your feet are at their largest. Wear socks that you exercise in. Make sure you have room in your shoes to freely wiggle all of your toes. Gym shoes should be comfortable from the get-go, without needing to be broken in. If you participate in a sport or activity at least three times a week, you should wear a sports-specific shoe. Shoes are made for court sports, field sports, seven categories of running, track and field, outdoor and specialty sports like golf and biking.
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