Running is the "everyman's" fitness activity. The only equipment really necessary for safe, effective running for fitness is a pair of high-quality running shoes. These will prevent injury and lend support to the ankles and feet.
For overweight people starting to run in an effort to lose weight, shoe selection is important. Because overweight people tend to have flat feet, they tend to over-pronate, that is, roll the feet inward too much. Selecting a motion-control shoe from a quality manufacturer can prevent the injuries that result from this.
Nike
Nike, located in Beaverton, Oregon, is possibly the most famous athletic shoe manufacturer in the world. While the brand gained fame for basketball shoes such as the legendary Air Jordans, Nike began its corporate life producing running shoes. This niche is still an important part of Nike's business model.
For the overweight person, prone to overpronation injury, Nike produces motion control shoes to prevent the ankle from rolling too far. The best of these may be the Nike Air Cesium. While many motion control shoes are heavy to support the foot structure of heavy runners, the Air Cesium is an ultralight shoe that still provides adequate motion control to prevent injury. Other Nike shoes suitable for overweight people include the Zoom Nucleus MC+, available in both men's and women's models.
Asics
Founded in Kobe, Japan in 1949, Asics began when Kihachiro Onitsuka began sewing basketball shoes in his living room. The country broke into the U.S. market in 1977. Asics has been developing cutting-edge athletic shoe technology since 1990 at the company's Kobe-based Research Institute of Sports Science. This facility allows scientists to interact with coaches and runners to develop spectacular running shoes, such as the perennially favorite Asics Gel models like the Gel Foundation 8 and the Gel Evolution 3.
Saucony
Saucony produces only running sports equipment and shoes. This simplifies things somewhat for the novice runner. If you pick out a pair of Saucony shoes, you know that you are choosing running shoes and not a pair of basketball or street shoes. Like any respectable running shoe company, Saucony offers models of motion control shoes suitable for overweight people interested in beginning running. The Saucony motion control shoes are based around their proprietary Grid models, like the Grid Hammer and the Grid Stabil.
New Balance
New Balance produces only running shoes as well. Rather than the high-end approach that Saucony takes however, New Balance shoes begin at a lower price-point, making them an ideal selection for beginning runners who are hesitant to spend too much money on shoes for an activity they may decide they hate. New Balance's motion control stability shoe models include the MR 1011 and the WR 1011 for men and women respectively, and the 992 and MR 1123 models. All of New Balance's shoes feature elements of motion control technology however.
References
- "The Runner's Handbook: The Bestselling Classic Fitness Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Runners," 2d ed.; Bob Glover, et al.; 1996
- Asics America history
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