Wearing the right workout shoes can help you burn more fat and calories, improve performance, tone up faster, and prevent painful injuries. The best workouts shoes for your body can be the difference between an amazing fat blasting toning routine that you can't wait to repeat or an o.k. workout that you're not motivated to do again. To boost fitness results be sure to choose a pair of workouts shoes that fit, support, and balance your body.
Barefoot Shoes
Who is this trend for: This trend is for runners and fitness enthusiasts who like to train outdoors without shoes and for those who want to strengthen their foot muscles to prevent injuries and correct postural imbalances.
Why you might want to try it: According to experts barefoot shoes decrease impact by causing you to land on the whole foot instead of the heel. They can shorten your stride which has been found to prevent shin splints. They also allow the feet to work the way they were designed which strengthens the feet and can prevent running injuries .
What are your options: Vibram 5 Fingers, which make you look like you have monkey feet, are the original barefoot shoe but now all the big name brands including Nike, Adidas, Merrel, and New Balance all have barefoot or minimalist shoes. Other great brands are Vivo, Newton and Inov8 (I've been hiking and walking in Inov8 since 2006 and love them).
How to get started: If you're transitioning from a more supportive shoe be sure to make the switch to barefoot shoes gradual. This way you allow your foot muscles to build strength slowly. Your foot muscles are just like all the other muscles in your body and they need time to adjust. The rest of your body may also need time to adjust since wearing barefoot shoes will completely change your posture when you run or train.
When to skip this trend: Barefoot shoes may not be a good fit for people with serious foot problems, knee and hip injuries. They do not correct muscular imbalances and could result in different types of injuries and inflammation. When in doubt consult a physical therapist or corrective exercise expert.
Toning Shoes
Who is this trend for: This trend is for men and women who want to improve their posture as well as strengthen the entire posterior chain from the calves all the way to the glutes, core and upper back.
Why you might want to try it: Even though there is no scientific proof to back up the claims that toning shoe companies make, researcher found that wearing toning shoes motivates some people to be more active so if you're a couch potato and wearing a toning shoe will get you moving then go ahead and buy a pair.
What are your options: Toning shoes come in all shapes and styles but the best ones in this category are Reebok easy tone. Other options in this category include Sketchers and MBT which are both more bulky and not as stylish looking as the Reeboks. There is also FitFlop which offers toning boots, sandals, and clogs.
When to skip this trend: Shoes can be very expensive (some priced as high as $275) so if your only reason for buying them is to help you tone up faster then skip them. "Toning shoes appear to promise a quick-and-easy fitness solution, which we realize people are always looking for, unfortunately, these shoes do not deliver the fitness or muscle-toning benefits they claim. says ACE chief science officer Cedric X. Bryant, PhD.
How to get started: The best way to get started with this trend is to try on as many brands as you can find because some brands are heavier and less stable than others so it's important to find one that feels good and does not cause you to lose your balance. These shoes do tend to cause sore feet, legs, and back so start by wearing them for short periods of time and extend the time you wear them gradually.
Running Shoes
The running shoe is the most popular workout shoe ever and it wins hands down as the best option for anybody looking to burn serious fat and calories, tone up, improve performance and prevent injuries. Because you can find running shoes with various types of support and cushioning they are more versatile than other types of workout shoes and can be used for all types of workouts not just running. The best part about running shoes is they don't make your feet or your body sore. Check out this helpful workout shoe guide for more tips on how to choose great workout shoes for your fat blasting workouts.
Get the best of both minimal barefoot training and running shoe comfort with the Nike Free Run
or the Adidas Women's Supernova Sequence 3 Running Shoe
Check out more of my top picks in Great Shoes for Fat Burning Workouts
