Amazon / Christine Giordano
You never forget the pain that comes from wearing the wrong shoes during a workout. Whether you’ve experienced terrible blisters during a training run, sore toenails from smashing into the front of your shoes during a high-intensity boot camp class, or the struggle of keeping up during an indoor cycling class because your feet lost circulation, having the right workout shoes can make or break your workout.
“Women are usually in a shoe size anywhere from a half to a full size smaller than their actual foot size,” says Mark Mendeszoon, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon at Precision Orthopaedic Specialties in Chardon, Ohio, and owner of Achilles Running Shops.
Why? Feet generally swell in the afternoon (after you’ve been up and about all day), and that may not come into play when you first buy your workout shoes. He also adds that feet get bigger as you age as well as during and after pregnancy. So, your tried-and-true size may not always be. (Pro tip: Try on new sneaks in the afternoon to find shoes that will fit your feet properly.)
Once you’ve nailed your proper size, you need to consider the fancy features. All those trademarked foam, gel, and knit components can help you avoid injury, and even improve your performance. For example, look for shoes with support and cushioning to balance the impact (jumping, running in place, and side-to-side motion) in studio classes. “It is important that the shoes fit properly and provide comfort and support, and they also have good lateral counters, are lightweight, and have a good pivot point on the forefoot sole,” says Dr. Mendeszoon.
Or, if loading up in the weight room is your jam, you need shoes that create a stable base. That means a zero drop or flat sole, according to Dr. Mendeszoon. “Many lifting activities require the feet to be intimate with the ground so that stability, support, and dynamic mobility can be provided,” he says. “The shoes should be very lightweight and responsive.”
Whatever your fave way to sweat, there’s a Cinderella-perfect shoe for you. Ready to get shopping?
20 Of The Best Workout Shoes For Women
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