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Foot Fitness, Shoes and Exercise
“I have to lose weight, what shoes should I wear when I exercise?” This question should be asked by all patients prior to beginning any exercise program.
Most exercise plans place added stress on the feet. If you are overweight, you are probably already feeling the effects of your weight on your feet in the form of heel pain, arch pain, and for most, aching, tired feet at the end of the day. After you and your doctor decide which type of exercise regimen will benefit you, a discussion on proper footwear is important.
Lets look at some common exercise programs that the average person may attempt to try when entering their personal weight loss program walking (outdoors), treadmill (indoors), jogging, aerobics class, step aerobics, swimming, cycling and spinning, stair climbing, water aerobics, church/community center exercise class, CD/DVD exercise workout, and dance class.
Contrary to popular belief, it takes more than discipline and commitment to stick with an exercise program. Proper footwear is very important in enabling you to do your exercises. If your feet hurt more after exercising, it becomes an easy excuse for not continuing the program.
If your exercises involve prolonged standing or moving on your feet, consider a cross trainer type athletic shoe. These shoes control excessive spread of the foot in the mid-foot area with its gently contoured, firm arch design, thus reducing arch pain due to muscle strain. They also hold the heel of your foot upright with a firm heel counter which wraps around your heel. This prevents the heel from rolling too much inward or outward at heel contact with the ground, thus reducing heel, arch, and knee pain.
The front part of a cross trainer shoe style is wide enough to prevent excessive crowding of the toes or ball of the foot. Wearing a shoe that is too soft or well-worn can lead to foot pain later after exercising because the foot has been allowed to shift uncontrolled under stress.
After exercising, pamper your feet with a soothing foot soak and light massage. Enjoy your exercise program.
