Athletic Shoe Store

Athletic Shoes

You’ve made the leap. This is going to be your year to finally make like Oprah and get fit. With visions of Rocky Balboa dancing in your head (cue music), you head to your local athletic shoe store, sweatband in tow, only to be greeted with rows upon rows of daunting athletic footwear. Quickly scanning your mind for activities that don’t require footwear, like yoga and pilates, you give up the image of being the girl flying on the treadmill, long locks flowing behind, and leave. But you needn’t despair. By following the guidelines below, I'll help you choose the right shoe for your activity and give you an overview of the different athletic shoes stores, but the flowing locks are up to you.

Think About the Activity

This is the most important step to consider when buying athletic shoes, and with good reason. Each activity -- running, walking, basketball, etc. -- calls for for you to work different parts of the body, and sometimes, depending on the activity, a different type of shoe sole is required.

• Running shoes requires ample cushioning and arch support. This is extremely important to consider when choosing a shoe. Without it, you could find yourself hobbling home with calves and/or shins in terrific pain. Cushion and comfort are the keys here.
• Walking shoes, however, tend to be a bit stiffer and often have a sole that curves upwards. This allows you to complete your walking stride with ease.
• If tennis is your game, then buy shoes specifically built for the sport. While playing tennis, the feet are called upon to move from side to side, and tennis shoes are designed to withstand that kind of constant lateral movement.
• Aerobics can be a fun substitute for running, and while you get the same cardiovascular benefits, it’s still wise to wear a different kind of shoe. Aerobic shoes are similar to cross trainer shoes; that is, they fit securely but still allow for freedom of movement.
• Cross training is a wonderful option for the individual who likes to engage in a variety of sporting activities. These shoes have a sturdy construction but are still lightweight enough to go from a quick game of tennis to the basketball court.

Popular Athletic Shoe Brands

Having chosen an activity, you now need to choose the actual shoe. There are so many shoes out there on the market that it can feel a bit overwhelming. Here are a few to get you started in your search:

• Nike is a staple on the shoe market and with good reason. They make some of the best shoes around.
  • For running, try the Air Max 90iD, or a cheap alternative with the same great construction, the New Balance Shoe. These shoes are lightweight and have the cushioning and comfort runners crave.
  • Walkers should try the Air Max Healthwalker v-Plus or the View. Both are a bit stiffer in feel and amply support the arches while walking.
  • Keeping in mind that cross trainers and aerobic shoes can be interchanged, try the Slat Trainer or the Free Trainer 7.0iD.
• Adidas was registered in Germany in 1949 and offers many high quality products.
  • If running, try the a3 Outrunner and the Fortitude running shoes.
  • When walking, wear the Tranquil II, or the Kumasi Walking Shoe.
  • For both aerobics and cross training try the a3 Ezaya.

A Special Note on Tennis

As mentioned earlier, it is extremely important to wear tennis shoes when playing tennis. Failing to do so can result in serious ankle injuries. Even if you are a causal tennis player, consider buying tennis shoes. K-Swiss makes excellent casual tennis shoes, for both the hard courts and the clay.

Head to the Athletic Shoe Stores

Now that you know your activity, it’s time to head to the Athletic Shoe stores. Here are a few options:

• Modell’s primarily has an east coast base, but they offer all the name brands at a good price.
• Footlocker, established in 1974, has a very high name recognition and with good reason. With over 2,000 athletic stores world wide and 1,400 stores in the U.S, you can find just about any athletic footwear to fit your needs.
• LadyFootlocker was established in 1982 and caters exclusively to women's footwear.
• Champs Sports, Foot Action USA, and Eastbay -- all subdivisions of Footlocker -- offer great service, products and prices on the local level.

For More Information

This article is a good jumping off point in your search for the perfect athletic shoe; however, these sites will net you even more information:

• Nike
• Reebok
• Adidas
• KSwiss
• Eastbay
• Modell’s
• Footlocker
• LadyFootlocker

Conclusion

Armed with your new found knowledge, proudly don that sweatband and march, or speed walk as the case may be, to your local athletic shoe store and start inspecting those shoes. Keep in mind that the salespeople are specifically trained to answer any questions you may have, so don’t feel shy about using their expertise. Now go out there and get them.