Archive for the ‘Running Shoes’ Category
Walking, running, hiking, dancing are some of the enjoyable activities you engage in while on your feet. Therefore it is essential that you wear appropriate footwear to take care of your feet when engaged in some of these strenuous yet thoroughly enjoyable activities. If you happen to be of average height and are wearing platform shoes to gain height, some of these activities may cause grievous injury to your feet and other parts of the body. These shoes are constructed with abnormally high outer soles. Sometimes you spend as much as 75% – 80% of your waking hours on your feet; this puts enormous strain on your feet as your body is continuously trying to maintain balance.
These shoes tend to slide or move your foot forward thus increasing the chances of you getting corns, calluses and bunions. In extreme cases you may suffer from hammertoes. Regular use of these shoes results in the shortening of the Achilles tendon making it vulnerable to injuries. Recurrent backaches have also been associated with these shoes. Since the foot moves forward in a platform shoe painful conditions like bleeding and infections under the toenails cannot be ruled out.
Elevator shoes are specially constructed with a 1 – 3 inch insole inside the shoe. The insole is made from tough yet shock absorbent material. Since the elevator shoe top and front is made after factoring in the height of the inbuilt insole, the shoe firmly grips the foot and prevents it from sliding or moving forward like it would in a platform. Elevators are made of good quality leather that is comfortable and molds to the shape of your feet. The flexibility of the platforms is limited due to design and material constraints. The soles of platforms are rigid and do not flex like the soles of elevators.
Elevator shoes offer more comfort and style than outdated platform shoes, however, remember to buy them from reputed manufacturers only.
Swati Guha
http://www.articlesbase.com/fashion-articles/why-elevator-shoes-are-better-than-platform-shoes-705577.html
Buying shoes for your kids can be an excruciating task. Most kids don’t enjoy the idea of shopping for shoes since their basic concern is to buy toys. If only they would behave well just like when you are out with them to purchase toys when you are out to purchase shoes.
When you take your kids with you to buy them a new pair of shoes it can be frustrating especially when your kid keeps on tugging at you to go somewhere else. Kids have a short attention span and when they find themselves bored they try to amuse themselves by either running around or playing with whatever they can get their hands on. Then there are those kids who whine, bawl, scream and worse cry. So with us trying to hurry on with the task of buying, we don’t get to properly select the appropriate shoes for our kids.
Every parent would want to purchase shoes that are both comfortable and functional. To facilitate, it would be best to start by measuring your child’s feet with the measuring device available in department stores to obtain your child’s exact size. In this manner when we find the shoes that we want we can easily ask for the size to let our kid try it on.
Sneakers come in a variety of colors and designs. Your kid will definitely enjoy those in their favorite color or favorite cartoon theme. If formal or dress shoes are what you are looking for, bear in mind the occasion or event that you will be attending. If your kid is old enough to make his or her own choices, don’t overwhelm him or her with too many. Making him or her choose between two or probably three would speed up decision making. Having too many choices would end up with you and your kid getting confused. This usually results to you not being able to buy any pair of shoes at all.
Since your kids are still growing always give an allowance to shoe size. Chances are if the shoe is really a perfect fit with no room for expansion, you will most likely be visiting the shoe shop again to purchase another set of shoes which can be costly. I am not telling you to buy very big shoes but at least a half inch distance from your kid’s toe to the edge of the shoes would be fine giving also some room for your kid’s feet to move.
Finally always examine the shoes for defects and check on quality. Kids are very hyperactive and we don’t want their shoes to be ruined early on so it is important for their shoes to be in top condition. Ask your child if the shoes feel comfy for in the end it will be them who will be wearing them.
Mary Lorainne
http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/when-buying-shoes-for-your-kids-108596.html
Strong legs, strong lungs, strong will. Such is the portrait of a typical distance runner. The good news is that you can be a runner, too.
Why run?
Running carries with it the same benefits of all cardiovascular exercise: it helps reduce stress, strengthens the heart and lungs, reduces risk of certain diseases, increases confidence, brightens your mood, helps you sleep better, gives you more energy, and, in general, provides a better sense of well being. It is also a great way to burn calories.
How many calories do you burn running a mile?
Conventional wisdom says that, for every mile you run, you will burn 100 calories. But other factors play into the equation as well, including your running speed and your body weight. Generally speaking, a 135 pound person will burn about 100 calories per mile. A 200 pound person, running at the same speed, may burn 150. Obviously, the faster you run, the more calories you will burn.
Starting to run
Running can be stressful on your body, particularly on your leg muscles and knees. But you can minimize your risk of injury with a few simple tips.
Make sure to stretch before and after every run. Walk briskly for at least 5 minutes at the beginning of each run. Once you feel your body starting to warm up, do some gentle stretching exercises. Focus on steady, continuous stretches and avoid bouncing through the stretch.
If you are new to running, here is how you can work up to a 30 minute running routine while reducing the risk of injury.
Your first goal will be to make sure that you can walk at a brisk pace for 30 minutes. If you can do that, start to run at a slow pace until you become short of breath. Then walk briskly until you feel like you can run again. Continue with these intervals. You can challenge yourself by timing these intervals and working toward longer intervals. For example, maybe the first day you will run for 30 seconds and walk for 2 minutes. As your endurance increases, run longer and walk for shorter distances.
Another interval technique involves counting your footsteps, instead of measuring time. When you are first starting your running routine, you may do 100 or 200 running footsteps with 300 or 400 walking footsteps in between. Then you can work up to 400 or 500 running footsteps with 200 walking footsteps in between. Each day, try to extend the number of running footsteps and reduce the number of walking footsteps (even by just a few footsteps) until you are running for a full 30 minutes. Counting steps can help give your mind a clear focus toward an achievable goal.
It is important to not push yourself too hard. Even if you simply walk for 30 minutes and can manage to get in a couple of one or two minute runs, you are getting your heart rate up, and you will be reaping some of those health benefits. The rule of thumb is this: run at a pace at which you can still talk. If you are very short of breath, slow down or take a walk break.
Once you are running for a full 30 minutes, keep up this interval training to maximize the benefits of your running routine. For example, run at your normal pace and then speed it up for 30 seconds or one minute (or 200 or 300 footsteps).
After every run, walk for a few minutes, and stretch your muscles again.
Making the most of your running routine
Here are a few more tips to help you make the most of your running routine:
Invest in a good pair of running shoes, which will increase comfort and reduce your risk of injury.
Plan to rehydrate about every 10 minutes during your run.
The best places to run are smooth dirt roads or paths, which are not as hard as asphalt and concrete. Ask around (at your local running store, for example) for recommendations of good routes.
Finally, make sure to follow these simple safety precautions: Running with a friend (or even a dog) is safer than running alone. At the very least, tell someone when you are leaving, where you are going, and when they should expect you to return. Leave your valuables at home, vary your routes, and stay in busy, well lit areas. Pay attention to what is going on around you. That means leaving the headphones at home, or turning the volume down low. Lastly, always jog against traffic, so you can assess oncoming cars for potential danger.
A running routine is a rewarding way to build strength and endurance. Enjoy the process of developing your own strong legs, strong lungs, and strong will.
Note: The tips in this article are for general information only. Before starting any exercise routine, you should consult with your doctor.
Jamie Jefferson
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/running-tips-what-you-need-to-know-when-starting-a-running-routine-65411.html
