Is there any difference between regular shoes and treadmill shoes?
Here’s what you need to know.
Treadmills are a popular exercise equipment for indoor workouts.
Intensive exercise on the treadmill can be harmful to ill-equipped exercisers, but does using the treadmill really demand different pairs of shoes for different activities?
Exercise requires extensive body movement.
People who exercise must feel comfortable enough in their clothing so they can freely engage all body parts involved in their routine.
Appropriate apparel also prevents exercise-related injuries.
Active apparel is preferable for exercise, and a critical part of it is footwear.
This is especially important when executing workout routines that mostly involve the lower limbs, particularly the feet. Protecting your feet with proper footwear reduces the risk of inducing sprains and other exercise-related injuries.
Depending on the activity you perform, there are specific types of footwear. Hikers have hiking shoes, basketball players have basketball shoes, and runners have running shoes.
What are treadmill shoes?
Simply put, treadmill shoes are footwear used when exercising on a treadmill. Though, unlike hiking shoes or spiked shoes, you can’t simply come by ‘treadmill shoes’ in the footwear section. There is no shoe type specific to the treadmill. Instead, shoe types are specific to the activities performed on the treadmill.
For the purpose of this article though, let’s call all shoe types used on the treadmill, treadmill shoes.
Now that that’s out of the way, it’s time to answer the question: is there a difference between regular shoes and treadmill shoes?
All types of active footwear differ from each other, and active footwear differ from regular footwear. Each shoe type is crafted for specific purposes. They have different structures catered to their expected utility.
Regular shoes can be made with leather, cloth, rubber or other materials. Since the shoes will receive much pressure under the body’s moving weight, treadmill shoes should preferably be made of flexible and sturdy material such as rubber which will ideally withstand impact and wear.
What are the best shoes to wear on a treadmill?
If you plan on exercising regularly on the long term, you should invest in a proper pair of shoes. The following questions may guide you in buying your first pair of treadmill shoes.
1. What exercise will I most likely do on the treadmill?
Some use the treadmill for jogging or running. Others spend more time doing casual or brisk walks. Each activity entails different requirements for your footwear. For example, frequent sprints are more likely to induce faster wear on your heels. In this case, you should invest in running shoes with durable material and soft padding for the heels.
2. What type of feet do I have?
Different foot and gait types engage foot structures differently. You can wet the underside of your foot and lay it on a dry, flat surface to check your foot type. Runner’s World says flat types do best with dual density midsoles and medial support posts to prevent pronation. High arch types need a well-cushioned midsole since their feet tend to supinate. Normal types are suited to any type of shoe and may rely on their gait to determine the pair of shoes suited to them.
3. Do I feel comfortable in these shoes?
Take a walk, run or jump in place to determine how landing feels when you’re fitting shoes. No matter the advice given to you at the outfitters, your comfort level in the shoes is what’s most important. Lightweight shoes are best for treadmill exercise as they tend to increase workout endurance.
4. Are these shoes durable enough for my type of exercise?
Aside from comfort, good treadmill shoes should be flexible. Their lasts (the underside of the shoes) should not be too stiff and they should allow a bit of twisting to accommodate the feet’s movements. The presence of a shank (structure that allows bending near the toes) eases weight transfers to the forefoot when the heel lifts.
5. How much am I willing to spend on these shoes?
Budget constraints are the last criteria to consider when buying treadmill shoes. Maximize your value-for-money by purchasing shoes of the best quality at the lowest possible price point. Never compromise on your feet’s needs as inappropriate footwear may cause you unnecessary injury.
Runners should go for shoes that include all-around cushioning, heel stability and control, lightness, and good traction. Good running shoes provide all-around cushioning to the feet as they receive most strain from the impact of each stride. They also have flexible lasts and good heel control which aids weight transfer from the heel through the sole to the toes.
Good walking shoes are also very lightweight so you can walk longer distances without feeling burdened by the weight of your shoes. They should include extra shock absorption under the balls of the feet to prevent burning and tenderness in this area. Shoes with rounded lasts also simulate the feeling of flow as you walk. This treadmill has rigid fronts so user can run or walk comfortably.
Do you have to wear running shoes at all when running on a treadmill?
Some athletes and specialists discourage use of cushioned heels because they encourage landing on your heels. This gait is called a heel strike and it generates impact on the heels three times as much as the body’s weight. Because of this, many people advocate barefoot running, which encourages landing on the balls of the foot.
Going shoeless is within your own discretion. While running or walking barefoot does have its benefits, doing this on the treadmill limits your covered distance due to the burning of your soles from friction the belt produces against your feet. You are also in danger of stubbing your toes against the front of the machine. Your nails aren’t safe either from being pried against the front of the machine as you stride.
How do I care for my shoes?
Treadmill shoes, much like other footwear, do not last forever. To maximize their lifespans, the following can be done:
1. Keep track of their purchase date and mileage. Shoes should be replaced every 300-500 miles of use depending on the wear to maximize their performance.
2. Treadmill shoes are for running or walking on the treadmill. Using them anywhere else accelerates wear on them.
3. Avoid exposing them to extreme cold or heat because their materials could break down. When they get dirty, immediately clean with a brush and dry off with newspaper (never the dryer).
4. Buy freshly-made shoes when you can. These are preferable over pairs of shoes left sitting in a storage house for months, increasingly being worn by time.
5. Your gait and form influence the wear your shoes experience. Practice good form and minimize the impact on both your shoes and your body.
Wearing treadmill shoes while you exercise is not compulsory, if you don’t mind the risk of being injured. Taking extra care to choose the right treadmill shoes to protect yourself will go a long way in ensuring a pleasant experience while keeping an active lifestyle.
