How To Choose the Best Weight Lifting Shoes

Any athletic activity will require the appropriate equipment and clothing. Part of this should be your footwear. Each sport comes with its own requirements for footwear. For instance, running shoes should be lightweight and should provide adequate ventilation to the feet. Hiking shoes should have enough traction for off-road walking. Tennis shoes should have a flat and firm sole for best traction on the clay or ground. The same goes with weightlifting.

Weightlifting shoes should have certain characteristics that will provide the best comfort and support for you, while doing your weightlifting exercises. Here are a few tips you should consider when looking for shoes to use when weight lifting.

• Find the right size. Size and fit should be the first consideration you take when buying shoes for weight lifting. As with any activity, the best fit will provide you the best support and comfort. Using shoes that are too tight can restrict your movement, and might throw you off balance. This will be dangerous when working with weights, as you might get injured from any fall. Using shoes that are too loose might result in friction burns and calluses. There is also the danger of your shoes slipping off during your workout. When buying shoes from the store, try on different sizes. Even if you have an idea of the standard size shoe you have, some shoe manufacturers might produce different fits. So even if you’re a size 8, for instance, a size-8 shoe might be too narrow or too wide for your feet. So Try on the next biggest and next smallest sizes, to be sure. It’s always a good idea to bring the socks you intend to wear during your workouts, to compensate for the thickness of sports socks.
• Find the right height. Weightlifting will usually add stress to your back and joints. The height of your shoes’ heels will help minimize pain and injury on certain parts of your back. Heels that are too high will add strain to your knees. Shoes that are too low, meanwhile, will put the strain on your lower back. Go for shoes with a heel height of about a quarter to half an inch, although you might have to adjust, depending on your preference.
• Get adequate ankle support. Weightlifting will require you to flex your ankles when lifting weights off the ground. Therefore, you might be too constrained if your shoes are high-cut. Go for shoes that give you flexibility of movement.
• Get adequate traction. When weightlifting, you would want shoes that provide a medium amount of traction. Too little might cause you to slip and possibly result in injury. Too much traction and your feet might get caught in the mats or on the floor, making it difficult to move.
• Choose a firm sole. Weightlifting shoes should be firm and stable. For this reason, regular running shoes are usually unsuitable for this purpose, as they will flex too much under the weight of your equipment. Try to apply pressure on the shoes’ soles. It should be firm, and should not give.

The right equipment can get you a long way, regardless of your sport. When weightlifting, it will be important to prioritize safety, comfort and mobility. Price might be an issue, but you can find several brands and models of shoes that are adequate for weightlifting, but won’t cost an arm and a leg.

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http://www.howtodothings.com/health-fitness/how-to-choose-the-best-weight-lifting-shoes