Cooper Wellness Programs Help Clients Find the Right Fitness Shoes

To enjoy the many advantages of a good workout, you need a pair of shoes that fit correctly and are suited to your exercise program, Cooper Wellness instructors say. Cooper Wellness offers two- and six-day healthy stay overs, with a podiatrist, a shoe expert and certified fitness trainers on hand to provide advice.

“Without the proper footwear, you won't be comfortable exercising and might even suffer an injury,” says Todd Whitthorne, executive director at Cooper Wellness. “While some people have the right kind of footgear for their workouts, it may be too old or ill fitting and in need of replacement.”

With continued use over many miles, fitness shoes lose their ability to support feet correctly, increasing the chance of an injury. Podiatrists recommend that exercise shoes be replaced every 300 to 600 miles. 

“People need to know what kind of feet they have in order to choose the right pair of fitness shoes,” says Susie Kania, exercise physiologist at Cooper Wellness. During Wellness programs, a podiatrist helps clients find proper shoes for them. And an expert shoe fitter from a local running store measures clients to find their “exercise shoe size.” Methods of walking are analyzed to check for high arches, flat feet and weak ankles.

In choosing shoes, runners need to pay special attention to something called pronation, says Dr. Riva Rahl, medical director at Cooper Wellness. After their heels of pronators with normal arches strike the ground, their feet roll inward slightly. When they contact the ground, the impact is optimally distributed--supporting body weight, she says. Since normal pronators push off evenly from the front of their feet, their shoes show an even amount of wear.

“Overpronation,” however, is common among those with low arches or flat feet, Rahl says. After an ovepronator's heel hits the ground, the foot rolls too far inwards. Because of excessive, inward rolling, forces of impact are not distributed ideally, causing inefficient shock absorption and difficulty stabilizing the body. Overpronators push off from the ground, using the big toe and second toe of the foot. As a result, shoes worn by overpronators show excessive wear on the inside, often near the big-toe area.

At Cooper Wellness, experts evaluate each client's current shoes to decide if they're right for their exercise program and whether they are too big, too small, lacking support or worn out. Clients are given a list of several shoes, with brand names and styles that are recommended for them.

Shoes for running should provide good, propelling power, Kania says. They should facilitate forward movement from the moment the heel hits the ground--through the middle of the sole and to the toes-- with good cushioning. Running shoes generally don’t give lateral support because it isn't required for that activity.

Walking shoes are usually similar to running shoes. The heel is rounded and low to provide forward motion. But walking shoes are more flexible in the toe area than running shoes.

In a recent fitness guide for middle-aged and older Americans, The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports said in June that “shoes that are comfortable, provide good support and don't cause blisters or calluses are the only special equipment necessary for walking. Walking shoes should contain arch supports and elevate the heel one-half to three-quarters of an inch above the sole, the council says. Shoe uppers should be made of materials that breathe, like leather or nylon mesh.

Tennis shoes are constructed with strong lateral supports, and have enhanced toe boxes since tennis includes sudden moves to the sides and abrupt stops, Kania says. Tennis shoes contain treading to provide traction while playing.

Most cross-training shoes are basic footwear designed to provide enough stability, cushioning and support for fitness activities other than running. Because they can be used for many different exercises, cross-training shoes can be an economical choice for those engaged in a mix of activities.

During Cooper Wellness stays, licensed instructors provide training in aerobic activities and advice for weight loss, healthy living, nutritious eating and vitamin use. Clients stay at the Cooper Guest Lodge, an elegant 62-room hotel in Dallas, within easy reach of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Whitthorne says “pack up your athletic shoes, along with some exercise clothes and a swim suit, and come join us for a weekend or a week. We'll help you find a comfortable new pair of shoes, and we'll change how you think about fitness.”

For more information on the Cooper Wellness and their 6-day and 2-day wellness programs go to www.cooperwellness.com or call 972-386-4777.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: For more information or to arrange an interview with Todd Whitthorne, executive director at Cooper Wellness, please contact Jo Trizila, TrizCom, at (972) 247-1369 or (214) 232-0078 or jo@trizcom.com.