An important item among your fitness gear is your running shoes. It may be one of the most important items you buy. The right running shoes help reduce personal injury or continue to support stable health. One type of running shoe that has gained a fair amount of popularity is a motion control running shoe.

Often you will find a motion control running shoe linked with overpronation, flat feet or orthotics. Actually, they are such a popular detail that you could probably motion control in every type of sport shoe. A simple verification to see if your foot is characterized with overpronation is to look at the bottom of an older pair of shoes. Is the inner side of your shoes worn more then the outer side? Yes? Then you are right to look for a motion control running shoe, since overpronation and motion control are often found together.

Look for the motion control running shoe to provide durability and control. These shoes can be lightweight and have great stability. Give serious consideration to buying a motion control running shoe if you wear orthotics or have flat feet. A shoe with motion control is a good stable shoe to choose. Of course, it's good for us.

Tags: benefits of jogging, running shoes

Treadmill running differs from road running in a number of ways and this should be considered when training. The first obvious difference is the lack of wind resistance when running indoors. Another difference is the surface. Although experts differ on this issue a smooth moving surface underneath your feet is not the same as an uneven stationary road. Most runners agree that running on a treadmill feels different to road. This should be taken into consideration when training. Is running on a treadmill better than the road? This comes down to preference. Many prefer being outdoors whereas others have environmental, climatic or personal safety concerns making treadmill running an ideal choice.

Firstly let's look at the psychological factors of running on a treadmill compared to the road. Unless you have a large room for your machine you will most likely to be facing a wall or window within a few meters. Research has shown that runners on treadmills take shorter paces that may be due to the proximity of a barrier or fear of falling off. It does take time to learn how to run on a moving surface and even when confident many runners will tighten their lower backs, again possibly a psychological reaction to staying on the machine.

When comparing physical technique, research has found that when the foot lands on the belt the foot, ankle and shin, become temporarily part of the belt and move backwards from the centre and mass of the body at the same speed. This means the shinbone of the leg landing is not as upright as with normal running and has a greater range of motion. Treadmill running can be useful for injured athletes, using a mirror can be a good way to observe your technique (although it must be recognised that it is not the same as training on the road).

Whether using a treadmill or road you will need to vary your running program for two reasons. Firstly, if you continue doing the same distance and the same speed you will get less and less benefit as your body adapts. Secondly, you can soon become de-motivated by the same thing week in, week out. Alternating between shorter faster runs and longer distances at a slower pace will help to condition your body and improve endurance, muscle strength and cardio-vascular function. It will also provide you with variety and a different challenge for each session.

I usually recommend runners to use one or the other exclusively, because I see them as different activities.

About the Author

Roy Palmer is a teacher of The Alexander Technique and has studied performance enhancement in sport for the last 10 years. In 2001 he published a book called 'The Performance Paradox: Challenging the conventional methods of sports training and exercise' and is currently working on a new project about The Zone. More information about his unique approach to training can be found at http://www.fitness-programs-for-life.com/treadmill_running.html

Tags: benefits of jogging, jogging, running, running routes, running tips, running workouts

The best women's running shoes are designed to give the feet control, stability and cushioning. If a woman's shoe has all these features, it ranks among the best shoes. A shoe with control provides a good grip while the woman is in motion or halting, thereby reducing foot injuries and falls. Shoes with motion control are especially recommended for women with flat feet or overpronator. A pair of shoes is considered stable when it controls excessive side-to-side motion and provides less flexibility in the toe area. These are definitely recommended for women who have toe problems and tend to twist their ankles or lose their balance often. Shoes with cushioning are good for women with high arches or underpronators, and women who suffer from heel pain or have poor natural padding. Cushioned shoes have excellent shock absorption qualities. But the cushioning properties of a shoe get eroded after about 400 to 500 miles of running.

The fit of the shoe should be good enough to make any pair worth its price. The best running shoes for women would have a little bit of extra space to wiggle the feet. The shoe should have about a thumbs' width of space more than the full size of the feet. The middle foot area should have a secure and comfortable resting place beneath it. And there should not be any slippage at the sides near the heel area. If they are also lightweight, they will tire you less and help in running long distance.

Many popular shoe manufacturers make women's shoes with most of these features. Nike, Brooks, Mizuno, Avia, Saucony and Asics are the brands offering the best women's running shoes. Their prices range from about $25 to $150 and are offered in a variety of attractive colors and designs. To find out which shoe is best for you, check the fitting thoroughly and discuss your running plan with the store attendants. A shoe that might be best for me may not suit your requirements. So it is advised to search for your best option by seeking the above features in your running shoes. You can find the best running shoes either in a shoe shop or on the Internet.

Tags: girls running, running shoes

Purchasing anything new can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very frustrating. Purchasing a pair of Running shoes is no different, and do the nature of our bodies I wouldnt recommend rushing into a pair of shoes just because they are cheap or convenient. No two people have exactly the same foot; however manufactures have divided shoes into three different categories: Cushioning, Stability, and Motion Control. Within these three categories their can be a lot of variation, but it is a good base guide to start with.

Cushioning - Cushioning shoes are shoes that have little to no lateral support. These shoes are good for runners who do not need this support, and have neutral feet. Generally this type of shoe will be for the runner with a high arch. Instances where this type of shoe is not right is in a case where you are a pronator or an overpronator.

Stability - Stability shoes are a mid range shoe category which offer a balance between cushioning and motion control. This shoe is for a runner who has a normal arch, lands on the outside of the foot and rolls forward. If you are unsure of where else to be this category is a good place to start.

Motion Control - The motion control category is for runners who really need support in a running shoe. Extreme pronators and overpronators can take advantage of a Motion control shoe, as well as a runner with weak ankles and other foot problems that would benefit from a shoe with a lot of stability.

Of course with only three categories like I mentioned above, there is a lot of room for variation. This is only meant to be used as a quick guide for things to look for in running shoes. I would recommend visiting a running store and having an employee look at your feet to give you a good idea of what category your feet fit in. If you have serious foot complications like extreme pronation, fallen arches, etc I would recommend visiting a foot doctor, as running shoes by themselves might not be enough. You could require orthotics, or even just simple strengthening exercises to get and keep you on your feet.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tags: running, running accessories, running shoes

If you were thinking of getting a treadmill for your home, you might not have realised how much trouble it can be. Instead, it is generally much easier to just join a gym.

A good gym will have the most expensive treadmills around, with all the extra luxury features there for you to take advantage of. They won?t be limited on space either, meaning that they can have the models that are big enough to run on comfortably without having to worry about straying a little from side to side.

If you take your running seriously, and will be doing some of your training using a treadmill, another advantage gyms have over home treadmills is that they can provide qualified instructors who know what they?re doing. They can set up the treadmill so it closely mirrors the conditions you?re going to be running in, and advise you on how much to run so you don?t strain any of your muscles. At home, you would just have to figure these things out for yourself.

Whether you are using a treadmill to get fit or training to be a runner, the social side of going to the gym is not to be underestimated. As everyone there is working towards the same goals ? exercise and fitness ? and has it as an interest in common, you can make good friends and motivate each other to try harder and not give up. Seeing the people who have been coming to the gym for a long time is a big part of going there, as it lets you see the results of what you?re doing long before you?ve achieved them for yourself. It?s all about motivation ? and after all, if you?re just sitting at home, and the sofa is right there next to your treadmill, who?s going to motivate you to keep going?

Tags: benefits of jogging, jogging