Staying active is always important. Unfortunately, many people are unable to stay active during a global pandemic. In one survey, 69% of the respondents were physically active before the pandemic. This percentage dropped to 39% during the social distancing period. It may be because of the impact of the pandemic on their mental well-being, which is understandable.
These people who became less active may have put their physical fitness gear aside, such as their workout shoes. And as a result, their shoes may have become spoilt due to improper storage and not being worn for a long time. So when these people become active again, they may just use whatever shoes they have at home, even when they’re not made for strenuous physical activities. But using the wrong shoes can lead to unpleasant consequences.
When you decide to commit to a particular physical activity, you must use the proper footwear for your own safety. Here are reasons why it’s important to have the right shoes:
Better Workout Experience
If you’re only going out to shop for groceries, you can wear any simple pair of footwear. For instance, you can put on loafers from Dockers’ footwear line for women. You can even wear a pair of flip-flops if that’s what you prefer. But these types of footwear can’t be used for workouts. They don’t match. And you won’t get the most out of your workout if you wear them. For instance, your flip-flops might fly away during an intense run.
That said, wearing the proper footwear during physical fitness activities will help you get a better workout experience. You’ll also last longer as opposed to wearing the wrong pair of shoes. For instance, if you’re going for a walk for at least 30 minutes, you should wear walking shoes over other types of shoes. As the name suggests, walking shoes are made for the purpose of walking. They have enough support on your heels and toes to match your gait.
Pain and Injury
Wearing the wrong shoes can result in foot pain. In the worst cases, it can also cause foot injury. For example, if you wear ill-fitting shoes, you might end up with blisters and calluses. Such shoes may also cause peripheral neuropathy. It causes weakness and numbness on the feet. It’s also irreversible.
Meanwhile, if you wear shoes that don’t have enough cushioning for your chosen activity, such as running, you may experience not just pain. You might also get back and hip problems. This is because your shoes can’t absorb the impact when you run and will put a strain in your back and hip to maintain your balance as you run. You are also at a higher risk of tripping, which may lead to an ankle injury.
Commitment
This may seem trivial, but having the right gear can be very motivating. If you have the right shoes for your physical activity, you may be more likely to commit to it and do it consistently. For example, as mentioned earlier, wearing the right shoes provides a better workout experience. And when you enjoy it, you’re more likely to stick to it.
Also, spending on new shoes for your chosen workout activity can also help you stay committed and consistent with your workout. You’ll want to get your money’s worth and get your desired results so that you can convince yourself that the shoes were a worthy purchase.
Next Steps
Given the importance of wearing the right shoes, you must make sure that you choose your footwear carefully. For example, when you run in the morning or the evening, wear appropriate running shoes. They are lightweight but have more cushioning at the front and back sections. This cushioning supports your feet during impact when you run and roll your feet from your heel to your toe.
The body of a pair of running shoes is often made of mesh. This material is breathable, which can provide stability.
Meanwhile, if you’re doing more intensive workouts, choose training shoes. While running shoes have extra support on the heel and toe to minimize impact, training shoes have that and side-to-side support as well. This feature ensures that your feet are supported in every movement, such as jumping, running side to side, and so on. Training shoes are also much more flexible than running shoes.
You’ll also need to consider the socks you use when you exercise. Avoid using cotton socks. They add friction against your shoes and may cause blisters. Instead, go for socks made with polyester or nylon.
Meta title: The Importance of Wearing the Right Shoes
meta desc: Some people use just one pair of shoes for everything: when they go out for a walk, hike, or run. But not every shoe fits a certain activity.