It's important to wear the right shoes for exercise

Here I am in the New Balance shoes I was wearing in a 1972 game of croquet with my family.When I first started exercising in my early 30s, I only thought about going out for a jog for a little while after work. It was later that it became a run. And, in the beginning there was no thought about doing exercises let alone using equipment of any kind.

I wasn’t even concerned about my running shoes, but I should have been.  I had an old pair of soft canvas type shoes that I wore for walks and hikes, and other outdoor activities so I wore them. They lasted about a month before I realized that I needed shoes with a better sole and more support and hopefully a little lighter in weight.

I went to several stores that sold running gear and ended up buying a pair of New Balance shoes that seemed quite suitable for jogging and they were really comfortable. I think that was around 1965 or so, and I wore those shoes for a long time. I ended up buying several more pair of New Balance shoes in the years after that and I ran 3 marathons in them, the first in 1979. I really liked them and I still do.

I've worn New Balance shoes for more than 60 years. They are the best shoes for me -- they are good for my feet and for the activities I enjoy.

It was during this period that I thought that maybe I should do something in addition to running. Possibly do some exercises. A few days earlier I had been surprised to discover that I couldn’t touch my toes. I could only go down to my ankles! That really got me thinking.

I actually remember wondering how I could run if I can’t even touch my toes!  I thought for sure that if I could run then I must be fit.  After all the serious running I had done in my teens and early 20s I should have known better.

I had totally forgotten about my teenage years when I was on the high school track team. The first thing we did was warm ups consisting of a short run and then several different types of exercises before we began our actual training program. Our coach knew what he was doing.

"How can I run," I remember thinking, "if I can't even touch my toes"? Now I know that being flexible and able to do basic stretching exercises goes a long way to preventing injury and makes everyday activities easier.

Anyway, I eventually figured out that spending time on the elliptical to get myself warmed up and loose before doing the rest of the exercises is the best way to have a trouble-free workout.  A fitness routine that includes basic stretching and upper body strength exercises can help to prevent injury in the course of everyday activities. 

By then I had my new New Balance running shoes and when I occasionally went outside for a jog it felt much better, more stability, and more cushioning. I still wear them on the elliptical every day.

Comfortable shoes.

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(Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.)

The right shoes for exercise for one person may not work for another, so it's important to try them on. If New Balance shoes work for you, you can find a vast a selection here. If you want to compare with other brands, check this out. Whatever you do, just make sure you find a solid, stable, well-constructed shoe that fits your particular foot! And then get moving!