Select the Right Footwear for Step Aerobics

Step aerobics is a high-intensity and low-impact cardiovascular exercise. Many gyms offer classes in step aerobics and you can rent or buy DVDs to practice at home. Along with a sturdy step and exercise clothing, 1 of the most important pieces of equipment is the shoes you wear during aerobic exercise. Not all athletic shoes are equal to the task of supporting your movement, so do not attempt step aerobics in street or running shoes. With a little research, you can choose a pair of shoes that can spare you from future injury. This article will show you how to select the right footwear for step aerobics.

Steps

Aerobic Considerations

  1. Identify if you have foot problems or variations, such as flat feet, high arches, low arches or wide feet. Typical sports or shoe stores may not carry the shoes that you need to provide proper support. Ask your doctor if you need orthotics, or consider shopping at online retailers that cater to this specific foot condition.
    • People with flat or flexible feet may want to avoid a shoe with too much cushioning. People with high arches or inflexible shoes may need a shoe with more cushioning.
    • If you have a foot or joint problem that requires arch supports, choose a shoe that has a removable sock liner in the insole so you can replace it with your own orthotic supports.
  2. Eliminate running or walking shoes from your step aerobics shoe options. These are popular shoes, but they are made for straight movement and provide no lateral support, so your ankles are prone to injury. If you are unsure of whether a shoe you are looking at is for running, ask someone or look on the manufacturer's website
  3. Choose aerobics shoes with non-marking rubber soles, especially if you workout at a gym. Most gyms have hard wood or linoleum flooring. Shoes with marking black soles leave streaks on the floor, so you may be asked not to use them.
  4. Take into account the type of flooring you use for your classes or videos. If you do step aerobics on wood or linoleum, you need soles with very good traction. If you do your aerobics on carpet, you want a lower amount of tread so the shoe doesn't catch on the carpet pile.

Aerobic Shoe Shopping

  1. Go to a store to try on shoes. Choose a store that has people on hand to help you and a wide selection of shoes. Try on at least 5 pairs of shoes that fit these aerobic criteria before making a choice.
    • If you choose to shop for aerobics shoes exclusively online, go to a site that has free shipping, such as Amazon's Endless website. Choose a few pairs of shoes using the above criteria. Try on 3 to 5 pairs before deciding upon the pair you like and sending the others back.
  2. Choose a shape with an overall wide, rounded outsole. You may have seen shoes with heels that seem to go out much further than your foot bed. A round outsole in front gives you extra stability during lateral, side-to-side, movement, while a wide heel gives extra cushioning as you step down.
    • Look for a firm heel counter. A heel counter is material that is put around the heel to stiffen it and give extra support to the rest of the foot bed.
  3. Examine the shoe's upper, the area that covers the top of the foot. If your feet tend to get extra sweaty or smelly, then look for a material that is sturdy, but breathable. Firm leather provides the best outer foot support; however it can be expensive and less breathable than synthetic materials.
  4. Test the flexibility of the shoes you are about to try on. Place 1 hand at the heel, the other hand at the toe and twist. The front section of the shoe should twist with a small amount of resistance, if it is a good aerobics option.
  5. Pay special attention to the soles of the shoes. They should provide enhanced cushioning in the forefoot and heel. Although aerobics are low impact, they do provide an impact of 2 to 3 times your body weight when you step down from your aerobics step.
    • Press on the insole, the inside of the shoe, with your thumb. The softer it is, the more likely it is to give you cushioning and shock absorption.
    • Inquire about the material used for the mid-soles. One of the best materials is ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
  6. Go to an area of the store that has similar flooring to your step aerobic environment and do some aerobic moves. Move laterally, jump and walk around in each pair of potential shoes. Choose the shoe that is the most comfortable when you engage in these activities.
  7. Read reviews of a shoe before you buy it. Go to Amazon or Zappos and cull the reviews to look for people who use them for step aerobics. This will give you a better idea of the support and durability of the shoe.

Tips

  • Try on aerobics shoes with athletic socks. You want to make sure they fit well with the thickness of the socks you will regularly use.
  • If you are tall or overweight, you may want to choose a larger shoe with extra support to give extra support to your back and joints.
  • Replace your shoes when they become worn. When you use athletic shoes inside, you may find the outsoles still look like new, but they have become less comfortable. The insoles wear out more quickly than the outsoles, so expect to replace your shoes about once per year, if you use them 3 to 5 times per week.

Things You'll Need

  • Shoe store
  • Athletic socks

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Sources and Citations

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