My Top Picks for Workout Shoes

There are just too many choices when it comes to workout shoes! You're not going to climb a 14er in flip-flops; nor are you going to run a marathon in weight lifting shoes. How do you find the right shoe for the exercise you're doing? Does it matter? Absolutely YES. As IF we needed an excuse to go buy a new pair of shoes, here's some justification and recommendations for you.

WEIGHT TRAINING/BOOT CAMP:
This shoe needs to feature flexibility and stability. It should disperse pressure evenly. It needs to meet the demands of your rigorous workout by flexing and contracting with your foot during every squat and sprint. For these functions, I choose NIKE FREES. When you work out, especially during leg exercises, you have to be driving through the heels. It's really hard to drive force through the heel in running shoes with lots of cushion. The Nike innovators behind this particular shoe spent 8 (!) years studying the biomechanics of feet in motion. The culmination of their research yielded a profound understanding of the foot's natural landing angle. Plus, they look awesome and come in all sorts of stylish colors and patterns!

RUNNING: 
A trusted pair of shoes are a runner's best friend. Proper footwear works wonders for casual walkers and ultra-marathoners alike. In fact, it's critical to your physical heath. Every time you put your foot down while you're running, imagine that weight times three. That's the amount of force you're generating when you're running, no matter how fast or slow. There are countless factors to consider when choosing a running shoe: gait, susceptibility to injury, experience/current fitness level. I love my ADIDAS PURE BOOST X running shoes. These running shoes feature a sock-like fit that offers all-around support. A full "boost" midsole keeps every stride charged with light, fast energy. And guess what, ladies? These babies are designed for the contours of a woman's foot!

 CROSS TRAINING: 
Our workouts should be diverse. Cross training helps us blast out of the same-old, same-old. It calls upon muscle groups that aren't always called upon. Plus, it keeps things interesting! I love my REEBOK NANOS
​for surface area contact, improved traction and durability. These shoes are sturdy enough to keep up with my intense workouts but light enough to not weigh me down. Badass and durable. My kinda shoe. 

LIFESTYLE: 
Alright, so I'm not ALWAYS working out; sometimes I'm just hanging out. But even then, I want something I feel (and look!) good in. My NIKE AIR FORCE SUEDES do not disappoint if you're going for a sporty, casual, yet fashionable look. This iconic shoe has been transcending foot coverage since 1982. Seriously though, how cool are these shoes?!  I have gotten stopped multiple times by men and women alike complimenting me on these whenever I wear them! Also, let's not overlook the classic Converse - both low top and high top - as a fantastic, casual choice.