Put your best foot forward.
There are hundreds and thousands of different styles of trainers available on the market. How do you put your best foot forward and ensure you’re wearing the right footwear for your workout?
Running
If you’re a keen runner, you need to invest in the best treads possible. This is for the protection of your joints. Your lower back, hips, knees and ankles can withstand a fair bit of wear and tear naturally, but if you’re regularly running 5k or more, you need to get some proper support and cushioning underfoot. We all have our own individual requirements, dependent on our running form, gait and style, personal weaknesses and injuries, and personal preferences for how they actually feel on our feet. 
You also need to take into consideration where you are running. Are you mainly treadmill based? Trail-based? A pavement pounder? Do your research and 100% try before you buy. It can be tempting to purchase your trainers online as it’s so convenient. However, you are just not going to know whether they fit correctly and whether they’re going to feel amazing. Head to runnersneed for true expert advice.
Gym-based strength workout
This can be a controversial one. There’s an argument for bare foot training which can help improve your awareness of positioning and help to strengthen all the tiny intrinsic muscles in your feet. However, if you’re adding in plyometric exercises into your workout, think explosive movements such as box jumps, you really should have an extra layer of protection underfoot. This becomes more important as you age, due to the deterioration of our bones. Please don’t be tempted just to rock up in your Converse!
Cardio classes
These are the classes where you’re going to be working at high impact. Go for a trainer which feels supportive around the ankle area to encourage good alignment when you’re bouncing around and using changes in direction of movements. 
You want a nice squishy feeling of padding underneath the balls of your toes, to help prevent any bruising (this can happen!).
KEY POINTS
Try not to pick your trainers based on colour and fashion styles alone. Also, try not to go just for the cheapest option available. If you’re going to stick with your fitness routine, you need to be prepared and minimize your risk of discomfort and injury. Bagging a blister on day 1 just isn’t going to cut it. Your trainers have to work for you and the workout you are doing. Help yourself put your best foot forward in comfort.
Written by Becky Barrett.
Becky Barrett is an international talent manager and personal fitness coach with over 15 years’ professional experience and a 1st class Honours degree in Business & Law.
Driven by her unique values of compassion and a holistic approach to talent management, Becky has devised an innovative solution to take on the fitness industry with a brand-new personal fitness concept that aims to inspire and boost ‘new normal’ approaches to exercise routines.
Features include: Health & Wellbeing, Natural Health, Arden University, The Telegraph, BBC, Time & Leisure, Bdaily News, The Stage.