Footwear
First things first: there is nothing more important when you are exercising than good shoes! If your feet are uncomfortable, or you are getting blisters, exercise is no fun at all.
The difference between a running shoe and a tennis shoe is not just cosmetic – they are designed and scientifically tested to perform specifically for that purpose. Don’t be afraid to ask exactly what these differences are – a decent salesperson should know enough to give you some idea of why that shoe is going to make a difference to your training. Good sports shops will measure your feet properly and make sure you get exactly the right type of trainer.
However, training shoes are not just designed for individual sports. There are a number of shoes out there which have been engineered to make life more comfortable for people with flat feet or a high instep - and if you don't fancy shelling out for a brand new pair, special insoles can be bought and inserted into your regular training shoes.
And don't buy fashion trainers for exercise - they are hopeless! Do your joints a favour and invest in a decent pair - you don’t have to spend a fortune, but you will end up cursing yourself when the cheap trainers you picked up from the bargain basement (or the expensive designer pair you got for your birthday) give you blisters, fail to provide your feet with any real support, and end up hurting your back, knees, hips, neck and ankles.
One last thing to consider when buying footwear for exercise is that by making you feel good and look the part, top quality sports gear can be a useful motivational tool as well as offering practicality and comfort.
