When it comes to fitness and being active, there are a lot of options. This holds true for footwear too. It's important to choose the right pair of shoes for whatever exercise or activity you're doing. Today we welcome Dynamic You Fitness Zumba instructor Gina who has a vested interest in our Zumba clients well-being and your feet!
Hey all of our fabulous Zumba
Fitness® students!! I want to first tell
you all how amazing you are! I have
enjoyed watching your progress in class and have truly enjoyed celebrating all
of your achievements with you.
Second, we need to discuss your
shoes!! Most of you are still wearing running sneakers to class. If the treads are worn down a bit and they
are lightweight, They MAY be working for you, BUT, if your knees are aching
after class or you’re feeling any strain in your legs, ankles, or lower
back… It COULD be your footwear!!
Here is why:
Running shoes are designed to support
you as you move forward in a straight line. They have a lot of tread underneath to keep
you from slipping AND typically the sole material has an extra ‘lip’ on either
side to prevent your ankles from rolling inward or outward.
In Zumba
Fitness® classes we incorporate, not only a lot of side-to-side motion, but
twisting and sliding, as well. So,
running shoes are the opposite of
what you want!
Zumba Fitness® makes a few different
styles:
I wear the Z1 Sneaker($75) a lot when I teach. It’s VERY lightweight, and runs a little big(I
typically wear a size 6 shoe, but in these I’m a 5). They’re not cheap, but they do go on sale
from time to time, and you can always use discount code “Ginam” at checkout for
10% offJ
Proper Shoes for Zumba Fitness® (P2)
Nike also makes the Nike Free TR Fit 3($95-$100).
Here’s an excerpt from Fitness
Magazine on these kicks:
The “light on your feet” Nike Free TR
Fit 3 features an almost seamless upper, straps crossing the forefoot and arch
provide extra lateral support for 360-deggree moves. Thanks to a cushy foam midsole, these sneaks
are also ‘great for jumping,’ “good for Zumba” and “perfect for switching
quickly from exercise to exercise.”
If you’re on a budget, one of my
students said she loves these sweet kicks by Fila!! I snapped some shots, for those of you, like me, who prefer
visuals:
I can’t seem to find an exact match
on the Fila website, but I think I’ve seen these at DSW for $30!
Hope this helps, we want to keep you
all healthy & happy!
©Gina Manegio
For other tips and info find me on
Facebook at: www.facebook.com/zumbawithginam
