Is there a difference between workout shoes and running shoes | Orthosports Physiotherapy by Dr. Rajani Patil

Is There a Difference Between Workout Shoes and Running Shoes?

In this day and age of fitness trends and a wealth of information online, it is important to make sure that you are not being misled into issues that can impact your health negatively. One such fitness fact that needs to be understood is the right kind of shoe to while working out. Some people who are into various kinds of fitness activities understand that each activity might need a different kind of footwear. However, there are others that think that a shoe is a shoe! This ignorance can mean injuring your knee or your back and having to abandon your fitness goals. Let’s make sure this doesn’t happen to you!

There is so much more to look at while buying appropriate shoes for workout apart from the fashion and the labels. And just to break the bubble, workout shoes are not the same as the running shoes. The style of these shoes are very different and the features that they provide are also different.

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How to buy workout shoes

When going to buy a workout shoe lookout for the heel drop, the arch support height, the toe box, and the right size. While working out, we do squats, lift weights, do cross-fit, short runs, high-intensity exercises, and much more. These need shoe flexibility and a perfect grip. Workout shoes should provide foot movement side to side and flexibility. Also, the heel drop of the shoe should be low, making the shoe adaptive to various workouts. 

How to buy running shoes

On the other hand, running shoes should provide foot movements forward and backward and a very good cushioning with a higher heel drop as a shock absorption mechanism. Running shoes also come in different types depending upon the arch type. For example, a runner with a rigid high arched foot will need a low heel drop with a wide toe box and good lateral support to avoid lateral wearing out of the shoe and for perfect cushioning.

Currently, if you are using running shoes for your other workouts do realize that the grip may not be that good, cushioning in the shoe may be more than required and shoe flexibility may be less which might lower the workout performance. 

Alternatively, if you are using your workout shoes for long-distance running, understand that since the cushioning is less and the flexibility of the shoe is higher, mileage might get hampered and the chances of injury might also increase   

Last but not least – make sure you check the size of your feet to get the right fit. I have seen foot, toe, and heel pain arising from an incorrect shoe size too often. If you still have confusion, register for my SHOE CLINIC happening this weekend! Click here to learn more about the SHOE CLINIC.

Invest in the right shoes, don’t let your shoe ruin your fitness!


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