Running Shoe Advice for New Runners

If you are new to running, you may be excited at the thought of starting a new exercise regimen. You may want to go get a great looking pair of running shoes, equipped with the latest technology and from the hottest brands. However, while there are a great variety of shoes in the market today, not all are truly functional and not all will suit your purpose. If you are just getting started, you may want to understand what factors go into selecting a good pair of running shoes before investing in one.

• Start by understanding the shape of your feet. There are three basic shapes – flat feet, feet with very high arches and normal feet. One can find shoes specially designed for any one of these shapes. Mention the shape of your feet to the store clerk so that he can confirm it for himself and guide you in choosing the right pair.
• Wear the socks that you will be wearing while running when you go in to buy your shoes. You can then test the shoes and how well they fit you when you are wearing your socks.
• When you are trying the shoes on to see how well they fit you, make sure there is enough space between your big toe and the front of your shoe. This suggests that the shoe fits fine. If the shoe is too tight, you may suffer injuries over the long run. If the shoe is too loose, you may not be able to run comfortably and experience pain in the legs.
• Another point to be noted is that when you workout, your feet tend to expand. Buy shoes that are a little bigger than your normal comfortable fit so that they stay comfortable even as you are working out.
• Once you have narrowed your choices to a few pairs, try each one of them out and try running around the store or on a treadmill if the store has one. You will immediately know which one works the best for you during your run.
• If you go to a specialty running store, you may find that assistants there give you great advise on picking running shoes based on the shape of your feet, on the kind of running that you do, the kind of surface you run on and many other factors.
• You can also try getting some tips from friends who are already regular runners on how to pick a good pair of running shoes. Understand the reasons behind particular tips and why certain brands are being recommended.
• Finally, before you actually buy a proper pair of running shoes, you may want to start running with a pair of cross-trainers. They should be fine so long as you are just in the beginning phases of your running regimen and will also help you understand what kind of shoes will feel good on your feet.