It is two weeks until the kids go back to school, and you have purchased them shoes for school and their sports. What about your workout shoes; running, cross trainers or basketball shoes? What do they look like, but more important, how do they feel?

The most important thing to do is to buy the best shoe not just for your sport, but the best shoe for you. It means considering your foot size, shape, and any idiosyncrasies about how you run, walk, jump and land.

The first step when shoe shopping is to try shoes on late in the day. If you go in the morning, your foot will be smaller and tighter than it would after a day of walking around.

You don’t want to end up with a shoe too small. Also, think about taking a pair of the socks you will wear, the right fit needs to take the sock size and thickness into account.

The greatest variety of shoes exists for runners, for good foot motion to prevent injury. When shopping for new running shoes, speak with the staff at the store to get the best shoe for you. With so many variables in running, it’s best that the experts help you.

Walking shoes — one needs to consider the anatomical difference in walking compared to running. The foot is in contact with the ground longer, and because of the motion creates a different type of impact. Walkers often feel soreness in the lower back rather than the knees. The types of shoes offered for walking vary greatly from those marketed for running. You should have a pair of cross training shoes if you are participating in aerobic class, step, kickboxing or Zumba. Cross-training shoes take an entirely different motion that you need to consider.

Cross-training shoes are made for lateral (sideways) motion and stability to the ankle during that side to side motion. The last pair of shoes to think about is basketball shoes. Basketball shoes are the culmination of all of the above.

Basketball involves running, stopping, jumping and lateral movement.

Buying the right size of any athletic shoe will provide the key to the best fit. It’s important to have your foot measured professionally and to seek out a shoe built for a narrow or a wide foot. Take your old shoes in when seeing a shoe specialist so that they can watch your stride in those shoes and how they wear after use. Once you get your shoes home, take care of them; don’t wear your running shoes for classes or cross-training shoes for basketball shooting. If possible, have shoes for walking, fitness class, and running. Many of us are guilty of wearing our shoes too long. You need to replace your shoes every 300 or 500 miles or every six months. We all say this when we put our new shoes on, “These feel so good.” Remember to have fun and enjoy your workout.

Reminder

All youth tennis, gymnastics and swimming lessons start Sept. 8. The Y is offering fitness classes for 7-14 years for free with membership. We have our afterschool program, flag football, cheer camp and much more. Stop by the Y to get your kids signed up or visit our Web Site.

For more information, visit www.ymca-austin.org.