Agood pair of trainers are essential for running. Whilst the fashion world have embraced the concept of a trainer, if you’re actually going to exercise in them, you need to choose more wisely than just which colour will go with your new culottes. Personal trainer to Naomi Campbell and David Cameron Matt Roberts, explains that, “choosing the right shoe will help protect your body from the impact it receives when running, and limit your chances of picking up those annoying niggles and injuries. It’s important to consider what type of shoe it is that you require. Is it for road use or trail running? Do you know your biomechanics and whether you over-pronate, under-pronate or have a neutral foot contact with the ground?” Confused? Pronation is a technical term for ‘inward roll’ and will affect what type of trainer works for you. Consider whether you have flat feet, arched feet or normal: flat feel usually cause over-pronation and arched feet the reverse, so you’ll need to purchase trainers accordingly.
Other things to consider are your weight (the heavier the runner, the more support and cushioning is needed) and also fit. "Size matters. Your shoe should fit snugly around your heel, but have about a thumbs width between your big toe and the end of the shoe" says Roberts. If you’re a runner, it’s also worth analysing your technique before choosing the right trainers. “It’s important to invest in a good pair of shoes that suits your running gait’ says Joslyn Thompson-Rule, Nike master trainer. The best way to do this is to go into a specialist store where the staff will be able to see your run and asses your gait.
The five best trainers for running
For a good fit
Luke Copel, head physiologist and personal trainer at Speedflex , suggests New Balance. ‘Women’s feet are shaped differently to men’s as they have a narrower heel in relation to their forefoot. When wearing incorrect shoes, this can cause the heel to slip inside the shoe, leading to instability and chaffing. Choose a narrower heeled shoe, that’s wider around the forefoot to prevent the heel from slipping.’
Fresh Foam 1080, £115, New Balance
For over-pronation
Asics are a tried and tested favourite and this particular pair combine lightweight material with extra cushioning to provide extra support for all you over-pronators. Sweaty Betty have an online footprint test(which you can do from the safety of your bedroom), which is will help you identify your leg axis and the arch of your foot.
Asics Gel Nimbus 17, £140, Sweaty Betty
For stability
For stability and support Copel suggests Nike Flyknit Lunar 3. ‘Studies have shown that a woman’s foot architecture changes as their oestrogen levels fluctuate during the month. Oestrogen is a soft tissue relaxant and one that can affect a woman’s arch height. To offset this go for a shoe that has high stability with firm midsoles. Avoid too much cushioning and shoes that are highly curved.’
Flyknit Lunar 3, £140, Nike
For a barefoot feel
The new Nike RN Distance provides runners with a barefoot feel, but is designed for long distances. “You might want to consider a barefoot shoe to allow your foot to perform more naturally and get a greater feel for the ground” says Roberts. This particular shoe has soft, resilient foam core for cushioning, with large hexagonal flex grooves for a more natural motion, allowing your feet to move the way they were meant to.
Free RN Distance, £105, Nike
For a sleek silhouette
Adidas’s new PureBOOST X is designed with the female athlete in mind. This particular running shoe has a sleeker silhouette than some, and is a slightly more subtle option. With a bed of thousands of energy infused foam capsules, these shoes ensure the midsole (the bit between the ball of your foot and the heel) is well supported. They’re also incredibly bouncy.
PureBOOSTX shoes, £90, Adidas
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