Now that I've started to include exercise I need a better pair of gym shoes. Right now I'm mostly walking and light jogging on the treadmill as well as outdoors on nicer days. I bike a few days occasionally as well. I checked out my local Y yesterday, so I hope to be adding weights soon as well.
Does anyone have a great shoe they love? I have a decent pair now, but they're on the way out, so I'll be needing to shop around soon.
Thanks!

I have a couple pair that I LOVE. I go through gym shoes pretty quick so I've tried them all. But these have been my favs. I have a big, narrow, foot though! I have a rough time finding shoes that don't feel too wide in the toe and still provide some good shock absorption for running. You really need to go try a bunch on and hop around the store . Good luck!

ETA: Clearly I'm a fan of black and pink .

Puma Cell Cerano -


New Balance 490-

I have to second New Balance. Every pair I've had has lasted FOREVER and provides great support.

I just retired my last pair. I know you're supposed to buy new sneakers every six months, but these babies lasted a year and a half (and I exercise A LOT) before I had to regretfully replace them with a pair I got at Christmas.

I have a pair specifically for running and a cross training pair

You might need different shoes for running and for other activities. My recommendation would be to go to a running store so that they can watch you walk/run and fit you properly. They will notice pronation, how you strike, etc to get you the right shoe for your foot. Use them then strictly for walking/running and then get a pair for cross training/other stuff.

Shoes should be replaced fairly often too. When I was heavier, 5 months of working out wore out my shoes. Now at a lighter weight it's been 8 months and they are still OK.

I have a pair of asics Gel Nimbus 13 shoes that i absolutely love. They have great shock absorption. I actually asked my husband to get them for me for valentines day, LOL

That I love my shoes doesn't matter unless you get my feet along with my shoes.

Go to a running store (this means not Foot Locker) and get fitted. _Every_ major gym shoe brand makes good shoes. That doesn't mean that X shoe is right for you

For running stores: http://www.runnersworld.com/store/se...17-0-0,00.html

My last pair was New Balance and they've been very good to me and have lasted forever, but then again I wasn't exercising a whole lot.
I was just looking at the Asics Gel Nimbus...they get great reviews.

My Nike Air Max's make me feel like I'm running on air.

http://www.zappos.com/nike-air-max-m...-neo-turquoise

They were an investment for me, but SO worth it. If you can afford it, go to a running store to get fitted as the other posters said.
If not, these are your best bet!

I recently bought Vibram 5 finger shoes and they are the best running shoes I have ever owned. I spend alot of time on the treadmill/jogging outside for my exercise. If you get a second do some research on them
http://www.vvibramfivefingers.com.

I second the Vibram FiveFingers. I got a pair for Christmas and it completely changed my stride from heel strike (Bad) to midfoot strike. You have to be interested in the benefits of minimalist/barefoot running, though.

I wanted to try it because people swear it's better on your knees because it causes you to run more naturally rather than babying your feet which is what a lot of support does. It is supposed to reduce injuries (After your feet are broken in). And I just thought the whole idea of minimalist running was interesting.

You have to be careful when you first start using them. It is suggested you break your feet in. If you aren't use to it and go for a 7 mile run, you can hurt yourself. I only run for under 2 miles each time so I've only had one issue with hurting a foot. In my experience, it won't hurt like an instant obvious injury. Your foot will start to feel hot. I wasn't in pain until the next day.

And if you decide you want a pair of VFFs, be careful because there are a lot of knock offs. Vibram will NOT let a store sell their shoes online if they do not have a brick and mortar store somewhere. If they have a physical store, they are allowed to sell online.. no online only stores. End of story. Check their list of approved sellers before buying.

They are neat, they are comfy, I LOVE how my feet feel when I'm running in them, it's very free. If you are interested in minimalist running but don't like the toes, there are other minimalist running shoes that actually look like shoes.

(Can you tell I'm really passionate about my VFFs? lol)

It's personal preference based on foot shape and needs.

I have three different work out shoes. All happen to currently be Nike Free. One is a more traditional running shoe that I wear when I'm going to be on my feet all day. They're light weight and cushy.

Another one is my running shoe. They're less cushy - designed for protecting the foot while promoting the bare-foot strike theory. I love love love them.

Those shoes didn't work well with motions in the transverse plane. Nike Free has a cross trainer, wouldn't ya know.

So I wear which ever shoes suit my day's work out.