Does the Type of Shoe I use Matter?

The type of shoes you wear to any fitness class can be the difference of a great class and hurting yourself and tarnishing your feelings about that class.
For the best fitting shoe, know your foot type.
There are three basic types: 

• Normal arch
• High arch
• Flat (no arch).

Don't know what kind of feet you have? Just take the wet test. Simply wet one foot and stand on a surface that will show an imprint of your foot, like when you step onto a bathmat after a shower.

• A normal arch leaves an imprint that clearly shows an arch with the forefoot and heel connected
• A flat foot leaves an imprint with the entire bottom of the foot having contact with the floor

How to find the perfect shoe:

• try on shoes at the end of the day when feet tend to be largest
• wear the socks and any orthotic devices you would normally would exercise in
• try replacing the shoe's insoles with over the counter insoles for extra cushioning and arch support, especially if you have high arches. Extra cushioning is also needed as people age and the fat pad at the bottom of the foot thins
• A good shoe will be flexible and allow you to easily move back to front and side to side.If it doesn't, excessive strain will be placed on the foot and Achilles tendon. Test your shoe's flexibility by holding it in both hands and twist cross wise. 
• A stiffer shoe is better for those with flat feet and a more flexible shoe for those with high arches

Did you know? each of your feet has 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, and 19 muscles and tendons

Excerpt from Fitness: Theory & Practice