- Do they really serve you?
- Key features
- Useful tips
- Top brands and models
Happy owners of home treadmills do not always think about the importance of purchasing special sports shoes for working out on them. However, they remain one of the most important pieces of equipment for a full workout and injury prevention. It is time to figure out how to choose sneakers for a treadmill in order to keep your feet and joints healthy and make your workouts as productive as possible.
Do they really serve you?
Many are confused by the need to buy expensive sneakers for a treadmill, preferring to use ordinary sneakers or even do without them altogether – to run barefoot, in socks. The reason lies in the shock load that this simulator creates on the joints. Even the most modern cushioning system can not reduce it and minimize the likelihood of injury. Specialized sports shoes soften this blow, add comfort to training and attenuate the force of impact on the foot on the surface. After all, at this moment the mass of the runner increases 5 times.
- Why is it impossible to run barefoot?
Running barefoot, you can injure or rub your skin, because the treadmill is covered with abrasive material for better traction. Shock load can damage the arch of the foot. Joint cartilages will gradually wear out, which will lead to traumatic friction between the bones. All these factors will eventually lead to pain, and in the long term – to arthrosis. Even the safety instructions for the simulator insist on training exclusively in shoes.
See also: Overview of the Best Exercise Machines for Losing Weight
- Can I do in sneakers?
You can use ordinary sneakers in two cases: first, if the training lasts no more than 15 minutes. The second, if the simulator is used only for warming up.
Any fitness trainer or orthopedist will definitely talk about the need for specialized sneakers for training on a treadmill. They minimize the risk of injury during exercise and make them more comfortable. This is especially important if your weight is above 80 kg, the speed when running develops more than 13 km / h, and the training itself lasts longer than 15 minutes.
Read our article on How to Choose the Right Treadmill.
Key features
It can be difficult to buy high-quality running shoes. To do this, you need to know the key characteristics that sneakers should possess to protect your feet from impact load. When choosing a pair, you will have to meet several requirements – their own for each parameter.
Size
- Try on sneakers in the evening, when the feet increase in size from daytime fatigue.
- Having put on shoes, swing back and forth on the foot, feeling the pivot points, whether they will press on the foot.
- It is recommended to choose a model half a size larger than your original size. During running, blood rushes to the feet, from which they increase in size.
- Try on sneakers wearing the socks with which you will use them.
The weight
Sneakers for a treadmill should be lighter than models designed for running outdoors. Ideal weight for men’s shoes is up to 250 g, for women’s – up to 200 g. With more weight, the load on the feet increases.
Sole
The sole should be highly cushioned. Some even recommend choosing models with asphalt soles, as they provide maximum cushioning. Pay attention to the following markings on the soles:
- Air – with an air cushion;
- Gel – with a helium insert;
- Wave – with a convex plate providing a quick springy effect.
Before buying, try to determine your pronation type. This is an indicator of how you place your foot while running. In principle, it is not difficult to do it yourself, but if there are doubts, it is better to consult with specialists – an orthopedist, a trainer or a store consultant. Sneakers are available for the following types of pronation:
- with neutral pronation, when the feet are parallel;
- with reduced pronation, when the socks are brought together;
- with hyperpronation, when the socks, on the contrary, diverge.
If you have neutral or reduced pronation, you need sneakers marked “Neutral”. If you have hyperpronation, look for the “Stability” marking.
In general, the sole should be tenacious, highly elastic and even foldable. It should be non-slip, with a rubberized and corrugated tread.
Material
- Do not use sneakers designed for a treadmill for running on the street, as they are usually made of very soft and thin material. He quickly gets dirty and breaks.
- We recommend looking at the shoes with the “Grid” marking, which indicates a breathable fabric with a mesh structure. It can have different weaving density, providing high breathability and preventing the legs from sweating.
- Good models have comfortable insoles that are securely attached in the middle.
- It is better if the soft tongue is sewn to the upper on both sides, making a single structure with it – this increases the level of comfort.
- There should be no protruding threads; all seams should be smooth, without glue stains.
- Choose models made from natural materials – cotton, leather, mesh textiles.
- The insole should be removable and made of breathable material.
If you manage to take into account all these characteristics that sneakers for a treadmill should possess, then your training will bring you only pleasure and maximum result with comfort. Some more useful tips will help you make the right choice.
Useful tips
To achieve maximum comfort for your sneakers during training on the treadmill, you can use the following secrets when buying them.
- Try them on with special sports socks with insoles.
- If you have flat feet, try them on with orthopedic insoles.
- High-quality sports shoes are covered by a guarantee. After buying, test them in action. Spend a half-hour workout the same day. This will help to identify any flaws that you did not notice in the store.
- There should be a small distance between the back and the thumb. The heel should fit comfortably and be in place, not constraining the movement of the foot itself.
- Do not pursue fashion trends in the form of various inserts, fillers, rivets, key rings, etc. They do not carry any functional load.
- Do not save on the purchase. If the price is lower than $ 20, you should think about the quality of the goods you are buying.
American surgeons have determined that running sneakers withstand an average of 300-400 km of run. It is not possible to measure this parameter quantitatively, but by the appearance of a pair it is easy to determine its wear and tear. Take care of purchasing a replacement pair in a timely manner.
Top brands and models
If you want to choose sneakers for home workouts in advance, check out the rating of the most suitable models for this.
Rating in the table
Overview
The best sneakers for a treadmill are presented in the review below.
- Nike
The best treadmill model from the famous American brand is the Air Zoom Pegasus. The material is a mesh with seamless overlays, which provide comfort and lightness. Thanks to the low fit, rubbing is excluded. Tight lacing securely fixes the foot. The sides are reinforced
