Buying Shoes for the Gym

Today more than ever people are turning to the local YMCA, workout clubs, fitness centers and gyms to get their daily dose of physical exercise. There is a wide array of activities available at these places depending on the size and type that you choose, from simple weight rooms all the way up to full service complete state of the art health centers equipped with all kinds of exercise equipment and offering aerobics and other classes besides.

These places offer a variety of activities designed to help you find an enjoyable way to get your exercise time, and each is just as good as another depending on what it is you want to do. Certain equipment will be beneficial to you if you choose to use one of these facilities, and a small bag to keep everything in one place is a good idea. Items to consider keeping in your gym bag are things like a towel, weight belt, spare comfortable gym clothes, a comb and other vanity accessories, spare lock and key if needed for a locker, and other items associated with a day at the gym. The most important item to select for a healthy and safe time at the gym is quality footwear.

Athletic footwear comes in all shapes and styles these days, but what would be the best for wearing to the gym? I would suggest a cross trainer would be ideal, and possibly a tennis shoe if not the cross trainer. Running shoes are meant for forward motion, and would not necessarily give the stability needed laterally for lifting heavy weights or doing aerobics. Tennis shoes offer this lateral motion for sure, but sometimes lack in the forefoot cushioning present in a cross trainer.

Lifting weights requires a lot more lateral stability than one might think, and wearing proper quality mens shoes or womens shoes for these types of activities is very important. The importance of footwear in relation to weight training should not be underestimated. A shoe that offers a low center of gravity, but good cushioning is important as well as a shoe that holds the ankle in place and keeps the feet firmly planted where you put them.

If activities like aerobics are going to be done, you may want to make sure the quality shoes you select for the gym has a fair amount of cushioning under the ball of the foot as well as the heel, since a lot of aerobic type exercise is done while putting the weight on the front portion of the foot.

Fitting a shoe for the gym is like fitting any other shoe. Make sure your feet are not crushed into the toe box, but your heel does not slide when the shoe is laced all the way up in a proper manner. Make sure the shoe is snug side to side but does not pinch, or put pressure on the sides of your toes. Always try on the shoes with a pair of socks typical of the ones you would wear to the gym, and always check the return policies of the store you are dealing with before making a purchase. This is especially important when buying shoes online. You should always make sure you are dealing with a reputable establishment. If done right, shopping for shoes online from a discount online shoe store may be the best way to go.