When I first started on my fitness journey, I worked out in whatever shoes were available. Sure, I wore sneakers – but I chose my sneakers based on their style and color instead of cushioning, comfort and performance for my specific workouts. I did not realize that shoes actually made any difference.
Just having sneakers WAS a good start
At my beginner level, as long as I was showing up to the gym and getting SOME working out in, it was good. It’s only when I committed to really training my body and getting really fast and fit that I realized what a tremendous difference your gear makes.
So I headed to the running store
Working out in the right pair of sneakers will make your workout much more effective and enjoyable.
When I went to get fitted for my first pair of real running shoes (specifically for running,) I learned a few things that I had no idea about:
- My feet were flat. This affected my gait when I ran and affected the type of shoe that I needed to be wearing
- I was wearing sneakers 2 sizes too small for running!! I couldn’t believe it. No wonder my feet were always hurting me.
If you go to a reputable running store, one of the sales people can help you select the right shoe for your needs. At good running stores, the sales people are often runners themselves and are very knowledgeable about the different types of shoes that different types of runners will benefit from.
The difference the right gear can make
As soon as I got new shoes, running became 1,000x easier and more pleasurable. My feet stopped hurting and running became so much more enjoyable. I actually started to have fun on my runs.
So if you want to get serious about your fitness, make sure you start from the ground up… with the right footwear!
Jon Pearlman is a former standout tennis player at Harvard, ATP-ranked touring pro, and author of The Lean Body Manual. He founded Mission Lean to share his unique formula for lean body fitness and nutrition, an approach that took over a decade to develop and perfect. He is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Nutrition Specialist.
