FitSugar

Before Buying New Sneaks, Read Your Soles

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:00:55 PST

Before buying a pair of new running sneaks (or stocking up on a few), you can learn a lot about the kind of runner you are and the needs of your feet by checking out the condition of your old sneakers. According to an article in the March issue of Runner's World, here are some things you should look for before sneaker shopping:

Heel alignment: Place your sneaks side by side on a flat surface and look at the heels, checking to see if your sneakers lean to the right or to the left. If they lean inward, it's a sign that you're an overpronator. If they lean outward, then you're an underpronator. Neither is a bad thing, but when looking for your next pair, you should find ones that support how you pronate.

For more details on what to watch out for, keep reading

Podiatric Shoe List

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 07:30:17 PST

The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, an organization for advancing the understanding, prevention and management of lower extremity sports and fitness injuries, has come up with a list of the best shoes on the market out there for running.

The list was based off the following requirements: Stability, durability, availability, price point, quality control, orthotic compatibility and other specific features.

Running Shoes - Mild Pronation Control -
ASICS GT-2110 (pictured)
ASICS Gel Empire
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 6
Brooks Trance 5
Mizuno Wave Alchemy 5
Mizuno Wave Inspire 2
New Balance 767
New Balance 1221
Nike Air Structure Triax 9
Nike Air Max Moto
Nike Shox TL3
Saucony GRID Omni 5
Saucony Shadow 6000 (Classic)
Saucony Grid Hurricane 7 Running Shoes

To see the rest of the list

Running Shoes - Moderate Pronation Control -
Adidas Supernova Control
ASICS Gel Kayano XII
ASICS Gel-Foundation VI
ASICS Gel Evolution II
Brooks Addiction 6
Mizuno Wave Elixer
New Balance 857 ST (
Reebok Supreme Control DMX
Puma Complete Premise
Saucony: 3D Grid Regulate
Saucony: Grid Stabil MC

Running Shoes - Maximum Pronation Control -
Brooks Beast
Brooks Ariel
Mizuno Wave Renegade 3
New Balance 1010

Running Shoes -Cushioning -
ASICS Gel-Cumulus VI
ASICS Gel Landreth
Brooks Glycerin 4
Mizuno Wave Rider 9
Mizuno Wave Creation 7

Running Shoes - Trail -
Adidas Supernova Trail
Asics Gel-Eagle Trail
Brooks Gila
Montrail Diez Vista
Montrail Vitesse
Montrail Leona Divide
Montrail Hurricane Ridge XCR
Montrail Hardrock
Montrail Kinabalu
North Face Ultra GTX

Source

Shoe Review: New Balance 890

Susi May — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 02:00:29 PST

The barefoot running trend is, ironically, creeping into sneaker design. Inspired by the phenom of running sans shoes, many popular running shoe brands are bringing lighter weight running shoes to the market this Spring. New Balance, a company that built its reputation on well-cushioned, fortified sneakers, is introducing the revamped 890 running shoe ($100).

It's a bantam weight sneaker - one shoe clocks in at 7.75 ounces according to my little electronic food scale. Shoes this light are usually pared down racing flats, but the 890 is a neutral training shoe, meaning it still offers cushion. New Balance has created the midsole with a new foam, christened REVlite, which weighs nearly one third less of equally durable compounds.

But how does the shoe feel? Well keep on reading

3 Ways Walkers Can Benefit From Going Barefoot

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:57:41 PDT

If you're into running, there's no doubt you've heard the buzz about barefoot running. It's become trendy for a reason: running barefoot can help you have better form and technique, preventing injury and pain. Runners aren't the only ones who can benefit from ditching their footwear. If walking is your exercise of choice, here are some reasons you'll want to try going barefoot.

Active and engaged muscles: Slipping on shoes may protect your feet from dangers, but it also means the muscles in your feet don't have to work as hard. The cushioned sole of a shoe absorbs all the sensations and pressures, which means your feet have become more passive over time. Because weak muscles are more prone to strain, pain, and injury, walking barefoot allows you to engage your body more, making feet stronger and better able to handle workouts.
Better walking form: One way a walker can have incorrect form is by roughly pounding the ground with each step. Cushiony sneakers absorb the force, so you're not even aware that you may be walking incorrectly. Remove your shoes and you'll instantly walk lighter, causing less jarring impact on your joints. Even though walking is considered a low-impact sport, it's still hard on your feet. Improving form means less risk for injury.
Busting through the walking plateau: Walking the same way, day in and day out, means using identical muscles every time you head out for a walk. Your body quickly strengthens the muscles in use, easily adapting to the demands placed on them. Without the opportunity for new challenges, muscles won't become stronger and can actually become injured from overuse. Walking barefoot forces your body to use other muscles not normally used when walking with sneaks, which helps you achieve a more effective and different type of workout. You'll especially feel the difference when walking barefoot on different surfaces.

Keep reading to learn how to start barefoot walking.

11 Ways to Love Yourself More

Laura Marie Given — Wed, 09 May 2012 03:05:52 PDT

There's no magic recipe for self-confidence, but there are certainly a few everyday habits that can set you on the right path. Whether you're stressed, overcommitted, bored, or simply insecure, we've come up with some quick tips to help you boost your self-esteem and maintain a positive attitude. Struggling to feel good about yourself? Here are 11 simple ways to love yourself more:

Surround yourself with positive people. Moods and attitudes can be contagious, so if you're hoping to boost your self-esteem, it's important to keep confident company. Steer clear of the Debbie Downers: people who are constantly rattling off their insecurities will only prompt you to acknowledge yours.
Be a planner. Organization is key to feeling good on a day-to-day basis, so do what you need to do to stay on top of your schedule. Rushing around, running late, and missing deadlines puts you on the fast track to anxiety, but you can avoid these common culprits by simply tackling your to-do list.
Make time to do the things you enjoy. To be your best self, you need to set aside plenty of time for the hobbies and passions that fulfill you. Whether it's long walks, a good book, or a few minutes of art each day, you need to prioritize the simple pastimes that put you at ease.
Get plenty of Z's. If you're exhausted and run-down, your mood - and your confidence - is sure to plummet. You need energy to be social and productive, so try to avoid burnout by balancing your work with plenty of R&R.

Keep reading for more confidence-boosting tips.

Puddle Divin' Waterproof Sneaks

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:49:15 PDT

Don't let Fall's wet weather and muddy trails stop you from running. You need a sneaker made for the elements to keep you dry, but constructed with materials that allow your hardworking feet to breathe and a sole that provides traction for darting over rocks and branches. Here are five waterproof trail runners you can hit the mud and puddles with.

Source: Thinkstock

This Weekend, Go For a Jog

Leta Shy — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:23:12 PDT

In the midst of all your margarita- or mint julep-fueled celebrating this weekend, here's a reminder to pull on your running sneakers and go for a jog: a new study has found that regular jogging can help you live longer.

The study compared joggers and nonjoggers as part of a larger Danish study that's been tracking 20,000 people for over 30 years. Researchers compared about 2,000 joggers from the study with nonjoggers and found that the joggers were 44 percent less likely to die from any cause compared to those who didn't jog, and in general had longer life spans - up to six years longer. Running and jogging can help lower your risk of many diseases and conditions, like high blood pressure, cancer, and high cholesterol, so it's no surprise that the regular joggers in the study were healthier overall.

The good news is that you don't have to become a serious runner to reap the benefits; researchers say that the most benefits came from jogging at a slow or average pace (not strenuous enough to feel too out of breath) for one to two and a half hours a week, and it's fine to break your jogs up into a few sessions during the week. Why not start now? Here's an easy jogging-walking workout for you to try this weekend.

Should the Price of First Lady Fashion Matter?

Tara Block — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:05:59 PDT

Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, is getting flack for wearing a $990 top on CBS This Morning. Ann wore the Reed Krakoff bird print shirt while talking about how relatable her husband is to US voters . . . probably not the best idea. But some say that seeing as they aren't the ones running for office, spouses should be off-limits when it comes to media scrutiny. After all, Ann isn't the only political wife to garner negative attention for her fashion spending habits. In 2009, Michelle Obama wore $540 Lanvin sneakers while volunteering at a food bank, a decision many viewed as questionable due to the tough economic times. And then Michelle was again criticized for her wardrobe during the Obama family's vacation in Hawaii last December. Over in the UK, first lady Samantha Cameron was chastised for the $1,198 dress she wore to a Tory conference in 2010 amidst budget cuts in the country. To add fuel to the fire, she wore a $103 dress at the same event the year prior.

But the question remains: whether they're wearing Target dresses or frocks straight from the runway, should the spouses of our world leaders be judged for what they spend on fashion? And is it really about the expensive clothing, or is it more about the context in which it's worn? Weigh in below, and click through to see more photos of the controversial first lady outfits.

5 Tricks to Get the Most Out of Your Outdoor Run

Shape — Thu, 03 May 2012 04:11:45 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. This week Shape turns to celebrity trainer Jay Cardiello for some help!

The weather is getting nice and you may have been bitten by the "run bug." To make the transition from indoor runs to the great outdoors seamless and safe, I compiled a list of my top five tricks to get the most out of your outdoor run. Whether you have had some success running on the treadmill, or you are completely new to outdoor running, there are two crucial factors that you must understand.

25 Most Deceiving Exercises (They Tone More Than You Think).

First, let's talk about a little guy named Newton. See, Newton has this law that states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Are you with me so far? Good. Well, with runners, the concern is what we run on. The harder the surface the greater the ground reaction force, which is basically the force exerted by the ground back onto the body (in this case, our little legs) that are in contact with it, is. To simplify this, surfaces like concrete and pavement will cause a greater reaction back into our joints and legs than an energy absorbing treadmill. This not only makes us work harder, but will tire us out faster and cause greater stress on our joints.

Are Your Workouts Causing Pain? How to Find Out.

Second, the treadmill is a flat belt that provides consistency with each step. There are no stones, traffic, or inclement weather activity that would cause you to be off balance or have to change your gait. Running outdoors forces the body to make constant small adjustments. That said, here is what’s going to make your outdoor run a successful one.

5 Unique Ways to Make the Most of Your Treadmill.

Learn how to make the most out of your outdoor runs after the break!

When to Ditch Your Old Sneaks and Where to Donate Them

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:47:28 PDT

You finally broke in your running kicks, and they fit as perfectly as a pair of socks. But wait, how long have you been wearing them? Is it already time to spring for a new pair? You're supposed to replace sneakers after 300 to 500 miles, but that's not too helpful if you're not keeping track of mileage and can't remember the date you bought your last pair.

Over time, running shoes lose their ability to absorb shocks, properly cushion your steps, and support your arches. If you continue to run in them, you'll increase the stress and impact on your legs and joints, which is a surefire way to develop shin splints, stress fractures, or other overuse injuries.

Keep reading to find out how to tell it's time to replace your running sneakers.