Why You Should Own More Than One Pair of Athletic Shoes
A girl can never have too many shoes, right? Personally, I’ve never been a huge collector of shoes and the thought of accessorizing different styles with different outfits makes me sleepy.
One area where I do make sure I have more than one pair of shoes, however, is fitness. I actually think that I could use even more, but let’s not go crazy. Different workouts require different needs, and you should always ensure that your choice of footwear is appropriate.
1. Not all shoes are created equal
It should come as no surprise that different athletic activities require different types of shoes. The shoes I wear for running, for example, are very different from the ones I wear for high-intensity or strength workouts:
- HIIT/strength: Nike Fly Freeknit 4.0 (I’m OBSESSED)
- Running: a neutral to mild stability shoe (for me; you may be different)
The reason why I don’t need as advanced of a shoe for strength training is because my feet stay in relatively the same position. In fact, minimalist shoes are preferred because proper form on some of those movements is impeded by shoes with a thick sole. You want to be as close to flat on the floor as you can. My Nike’s have been phenomenal, but sometimes when I am doing a HIIT workout with sprinting, they lack sufficient support. TIME FOR ANOTHER PAIR.
Whenever it is time for me to purchase a new pair of running shoes, I ALWAYS go to my local running store and get fitted. Even though I usually end up with the same results, I like to make sure that nothing has changed and that I’m still buying the correct type of shoe for my runs. A majority of my running shoes have been from Brooks, but if another brand feels better to me during that trial, I will purchase that. I’ve had shoes from Brooks, Mizuno, and Asics that have all served me well.
Even within the world of running there are multiple types of running. Trail running requires different support than street running. You may even have different shoes for long vs. short runs.
2. Extend the life of your shoes
By having more than one pair, you are able to make those pairs last longer. You won’t have to completely wear them out before replacing them. Sometimes a new shoe takes a little while to break in, so if you wear your old ones to the bitter end, it will mean that your only option is to break your new ones in. This could lead to discomfort or injury if they are your only option.
By having two pairs, you can mix up when and where you wear them so that both are ready to go whenever you need them. This also comes in handy if you get stuck in inclement weather and you need a dry pair!
3. Your injury risk is lessened
Different shoes have different designs and stabilities, which means that when you use them, you will be activating different muscle groups. By focusing on a variety of muscles instead of the same ones over and over again, you put less stress on the body and reduce your risk of injury.
Questions:
- Do you have more than one pair of athletic shoes?
- What other reasons can you think of to do so?
Good points! For the first time in years, like maybe, 6 years? At least? I bought a different pair of shoes other than my regular Asics Nimbus! I bought the Brooks Launch and I really love them! They’re still neutral and comfy but just not as heavy. I’m really happy about this! So now I can rotate different *types* of shoes rather than just two different Nimbus (Nimbi? lol) shoes.
Suzy recently posted…Woozy Wednesday: The Wrong Kind of Foam
Haha exactly. I felt like I should stick w brand loyalty but then realized that wasn’t for me and it was more about what felt right on my feet!
Girl, you know I do! I rotate mine for running (I have certain ones for certain workouts) and then I have my lifting shoes which are totally different.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Sacral Stress Fracture Recovery Update
Oh I know you prob have like 80
YES – I love any excuse to go shopping! 🙂 I have always been a firm believer in owning multiple pairs of sneakers. Just like each shoe, each exercise is not created the same.
Jenn – a traveling Wife recently posted…Truth Behind The Blog – Selling Your House Fast
Yay you’re welcome! I need to get another pair too I think 😉
This is something I need to do. I have multiple pairs of the same shoe so I’m really not changing up the muscle groups that I work.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Superdry Sport Review
Yeah girl you do all sorts of things!
when i first read the title i was like PERFECT, I always need more reasons to buy shoes hehe. I love having more than one or two especially for the reason that they last longer. And yes, I have a pair that I prefer to wear for squatting and another for HIIT circuits. But… i think you’ve convinced me that i need another pair anyway 😉
Beverley @ sweaty&fit recently posted…Valentines Day Tight Core Challenge
You and me both. I’m always on the lookout for more haha
Ha! If you saw my closet, you might die. I think I have close to 20 pairs of running/workout shoes. I rotate through them. My podiatrist recommended that when I had a stress fracture in my foot a few years ago. I obviously went a little crazy though. At least I won’t have to buy new shoes for awhile!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…WIAW…Sometimes You Have to Have Faith & Chopsticks
That sounds amazing. I’m sure you can coordinate w any outfit too!
This is really great advice that so many people overlook. Over the past year I’ve run in different brands of shoes and while I still can never seem to have a full rotation at the same time, I’m getting there!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Goals for the ZOOMA Run Love 10K
I think if I add one more into mine it’ll be perfect 🙂
I definitely need to get some other shoes. I have always loved running shoes for their support but what you are saying makes sense on rotating. It is definitely annoying to only have one pair and step in a puddle for instance.
Alicia recently posted…Disney World 2016 Day 1
I know! I was out in the snow the other day and it helped to have a backup to use
I think this is a HUGE misconception that people have! I think at the very least you need to make sure your running shoe is being replaced regularly…but some people don’t even do that! I’ve been guilty of that for sure. Definitely time for me to do that too haha.
Lauren @ i had a big lunch recently posted…Back in business
I have too and it really screwed me up when I started running
What shoe would you recommend for a Senior who is doing cardio?
I probably should add I have a bunion and hammer toes so normally go wide.
I would definitely leave that up to the professionals. Most running stores will do an analysis for you. It depends on a variety of factors that they will be able to test and offer you the best recommendations. Plus it’s free!
I will not disclose the exact number of shoes that I own, but yes, I own multiple pairs of shoes for different purposes (or, that’s what I tell myself).
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Distance or Time? How to get the most out of your running
A lady never reveals how many shoes she owns
Very practical and sound reasons as to why one should own more than a pair of athletic shoes! Informative and spot on!!!
Great article!
I started getting fit 2 months ago (male 46 UK) and jogging about 7-8 km every other day now.
I just wanted to tell your readers that if they are a little older or a little overweight (like me) that they should start SLOWLY!
I started with short walks, building up to long walks before I started jogging.
Keep up the great work!
Matt recently posted…Jogging 2 the beat – Need a running watch to use with Spotify?
Yes great suggestion! Thanks matt!
What is the authors name? Would like to quote this for class project.
It’s me! Erin Bahadur