Exercise! - Shoes

Hi,

I have a question. I hate excersise but have recently quit smoking so I am watching what I eat and trying to work out. I walk my dogs and do some beginner aerobic tapes at home. My question is what kind of running shoes should I buy. I have been told that you should have one type for running and one type for aerobics and walking. I definately don't have to worry about the running part yet :rolleyes: but I want to make sure I get a good pair of shoes to walk and do aerobics in. Money is also fairly limited so I am looking at spending around $100. Any suggestions. Also I live in Canada so it would have to be a brand name I can get here.

Thanks so much for your help you guys are great.

Christina

Well, I bought a pair of Saucony (grid cohesion) running shoes that I use for walking and jogging. I love them. They are so light, that when I put my regular gym shoes back on, I feel like I have weights on. You can purchase them on eBay if you already know your fit. If not, I believe everyone will tell you to go have a professional fitting if you are serious about running.

Hi, Christina! :wave:

I bought a pair of Saucony as well. The same as Webweevil's... grid. :yes: I paid about $130 for them, and I love them! They're light and well balanced.
If you have any sports shops near you, I'd recommend going to one for a proper fitting, regardless of what brand you decide to buy. They'll look at how you walk, and will tell you exactly what you need.

Webweevil... do your Saucony's smell? I mean, not from your feet. :lol: My trainer mentioned this when I bought them (his wife wears the same brand)... that there's sort of a "barnyard" smell about the soles...

I love New Balance shoes - they're about $100, and really light, and if you have bad ankles you can get them with a "roll bar" of denser material on the soles to help prevent rolling. I've been using New Balance for about 5 years now... and I'd go for cross trainers, whichever type you get. I run a couple of times a week and do a lot of other sports, as well, and find that these are fine. I think if you're running really regularly and for a few miles each time you'd want to look at separate shoes, but otehrwise don't worry about it. Hope you find some you like!

I'm from Canada also. I go to Athlete's World and talk to the guy. I generally get a cross trainer. I am not a runner, but use them for lifting and cardio. So far, I have been very pleased with whatever he has sold me. It's usually around $75-80 plus tax.

you can find good brands (nike, addidas, etc.) on sale in the US for $30-$50. These shoes are often last season's models or overstocks-- A&N usually has good deals.

I run 10-25 mpw and do some elliptical, weight lifting, and group classes. I use my new pair for running, and when i've put too many miles on them (after 6-12 mos) i delegate them for non-running (i.e. walking, elliptical, kickbox) activities.

I also have a pair of Saucony running shoes. Though mine aren't light. My feet needed more padding and stabilization...plus a special fit. I have wide feet with very narrow heels. So I was able to find a pair that have some hefty heel stabilizers, are well cushioned, come in a wide width, but maintain a narrow heel.

Regardless of the brand you get though, make sure they work for you. Tips for choosing the right running shoe: http://www.running4women.com/starting_out.php?subid=1

Ellis,
Do my shoes smell? LOL The shoes do have a unique smell. I never noticed until I stuck my nose down in the shoes. :D The smell is not noticed when the shoes are "used" in a normal manner. ;)

I love New Balance too. I haven't seen them with the "roll bar" so I have to start looking for it, as my right foot rolls to the outside fairly severely. JC Penney in the mall routinely has a sale at least twice a year in which they're only $35 to $45, so I buy them then.

Ellis,
Do my shoes smell? LOL The shoes do have a unique smell. I never noticed until I stuck my nose down in the shoes. :D The smell is not noticed when the shoes are "used" in a normal manner. ;)
:lol3: I only noticed it because I keep mine in a cloth bag hanging in the hall. I'd walk in the door and think, "Did someone visit a farm today and leave their mucky boots in the hall?" :rofl:
My trainer said the same thing... his wife keeps hers in their hall, and he reels everytime he walks in the door. heh heh

That's a good site, AlmostHeaven! Thanks for sharing! :)

I bought "Nike walking and runnig" for 30 dollars in sportsmart. They were on clearance. I love them!

When I was running last year, I literally bought and returned three pairs of shoes before I found one that didn't give me blisters. They are new balanace and were about $60 at Academy Sports and Outdoors (which is mostly Southern). I love them.

i've heard saucony's are better for "heavy runners"-- keep in mind a heavy runner is is not that heavy-- like over 120 or something for a 5'4" woman!

also, new balances give my mom and me terrible blisters. maybe we just have funny feet?

I just went to jcpenny today and got two Nike's, the same model and color, but they were a very good deal for about 35 total each. I had gotten some NB but they are just to firm in the arch areas on some and right above that on others. I tried on one nike and was hooked. I honestly liked some other nikes that were a a bit more costly for each pair, but I wanted two pairs (bought together easily in my price range) and these were very comfortable too. I agree try on a few different brand names.

As for the TYPE u should get some crosstrainers for aerobics and walking. Some people use them to run too. Unless u feel more comfortable running in running shoes later or run a significant amount during the week, then these would be reasons to get a running shoe and a seperate crosstrainer for ur other activities.
Yet as I said crosstrainers can be used for any activity most of the time, esp. if u do various activities in the week.

I recently bought a pair of salomon shoes. While they are for 'adventure running' and other outdoors things they work great when I'm on my feet at work a lot or working out. They are very very LIGHT WEIGHT and I've had great results with them. I use they with my inserts (I have super high arches) and I have a friends who has also bought some who uses they just as they are and we both love them! I've seen them at several outdoors/sporting stores. They were a little pricey $80 (not on sale) which to me was a lot on shoes but more than worth it!

ASICS, people, ASICS. Best shoes ever. Not expensive. I spend about $60 them.

I'm not a foot expert, but I think the theory about having one kind of shoe for running and one kind for aerobics, whatever, is total crap. Unless you are a serious athlete, having different types of shoes is unnecessary. What IS important is that you replace your shoes frequently. Go to the gym 4-5 times a week? Do not keep your shoes any longer than 6 months.