Up & Coming Weekly

August 24, 2021

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 16 UCW AUGUST 25-31, 2021 FITNESS CYNTHIA ROSS, Personal Trainer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Proper fit important when selecting athletic shoes by CYNTHIA ROSS Looking for the right shoe for your activity can become a confusing search, especially when it comes to running and walking shoes. e racks are beckoning with shoes that display colorful combinations and elaborate structural compositions. e aver- age person has little idea what they are looking for other than the eye is drawn to the appeal of the shoe. Shoes can run upward to more than $200 and you may feel that is an ouch for a shoe selection! Is the investment worth it? e answer is yes. Let's look at the difference between walking, running and shoes for group fitness classes. Walking shoes are structured dif- ferently than running shoes and offer more bend and flexibility. e distri- bution of weight remains even while walking and rolls from the heel to the ball of the foot. A running shoe has a thicker heel for cushion and a thicker wedge for support and forward move- ment. Structure and stability are the main design composition for the absorption of body weight and heel strikes. Not one shoe is a fit all for group fitness classes. In a Spin class it is advised to wear a stiffer soled shoe because softer soled shoes tend to flex over the pedal and could result in injuries. Spin shoes are designed to click into the bike to improve stability and pedaling efficiency. Dance based fitness classes are designed for movement. Consider investing in a shoe that is designed for lateral support with little or no tread on the sole. is type of shoe allows lateral movement and to pivot without putting stress on the joints. Boot camp and weightlifting classes are safer with a shoe that is structured for stability and weight distribution. Other group fitness classes, such as step and kick boxing, require shoes that offer absorption of the balls of the feet for dynamic movement. Classes that involve movement as- sociated with the feet like barre and yoga also have a type of footwear that is safe for the activity. A barre or yoga sock comes with gel bands on the bottom that help with the partici- pants stability and reduce the chance of slipping and injury. e bottom line is to get shoes fit- ted by a professional for your activity, who can offer an analysis that may include your gait and foot type. If you engage in the same activity more than three times a week select a shoe designed specifically for that activity. Get fitted for your shoe towards the end of the day, due to shifts in fluid retention. For activities taking place consistently at the same time each day the consideration of a fit may be more beneficial for that time. It is also important to select a qual- ity sock and to wear the sock when tying on selections. A quality athletic shoe for running or walking should provide 350 to 500 miles of performance. Being aware of how the shoe is wearing and if it needs to replaced, are important ob- servations to prevent ankle and knee injuries. Observing the wear patterns on the bottom of the shoe, especially at the heel is a good indicator for replacement and if the soles of the shoe are worn flat. It can be a hard decision for a purchase with a mount- ing price tag, but remember that your feet are an investment. Proper shoe fit is essential to avoid injuries, while allowing maximum performance for your activities. APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE! artist grant support APPLY HERE: W W W.T H E A R T S C O U N C I L . C O M / G R A N T S / A R T I S T S U P P O R T G R A N T S FOR MORE INFORMATION VISUAL, CRAFT, PERFORMING, TRADITIONAL AND INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTISTS GRANTS $500 - $1000

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