Most of us understand how important it is to have good quality workout shoes before we engage in any physical activity. However, as much as we know this, we do not spend enough time thinking about which shoes we actually need. Choosing the wrong one could be detrimental to how well you are able to perform your workout and even to your overall health. So let’s take a look at the biggest mistakes we can make when choosing our shoes.

1 – We simply grab what is available.

Many of us simply look in our cupboard and grab the first pair of sports shoes we find. These are often old and don’t actually give us the support we need anymore. Unfortunately, although this may be convenient, it is also a very poor choice.

“The biggest mistake people make when they start running, jogging, or some other exercise program is just reaching into the closet and pulling out an old pair of sneakers.”

2 – We don’t consider our workout when making our choice.

The second mistake we can make is that we often choose a very high quality shoe, but our choice is based on fashion and our own personal likes and dislikes, rather than on the actual sport we want to play. For instance, if you purchase a pair of high quality tennis shoes, they won’t benefit you if you actually want to play basketball.

3 – We use our shoes for everyday wear.

Sport shoes manufacturers create items that are not just good for sports, but that are fashionable as well. For instance, if you look around you, it is likely that you will see quite a number of people walking around in Nike Air Max shoes. These shoes are incredibly stylish and fashionable, but they are still sports shoes. Make sure that you do not use your shoes for everyday wear, but only use them for your workout. If you must wear them as a fashion statement as well, then purchase a second pair for that purpose.

4 – We don’t get rid of them at the appropriate time.

Shoes are expensive investments and they should serve you for a long time. However, there comes a point when you need to get rid of you. Depending on the type of shoe, the brand and how often you actually use them, you will need to replace your shoes at different times.

“Your running shoes lose shock absorption, cushioning and stability over time. Continuing to run in worn-out running shoes increases the stress and impact on your legs and joints, which can lead to overuse injuries.”

5 – Forgetting to get good advice.

Unless you are a sports specialist or shoe developer yourself, you do not know which shoe is best for you. You may have used a certain make or brand of shoe for a long period of time, but that doesn’t mean you should simply purchase the same ones again and again. As technology and sports awareness increases, shoes change as well. You should always get advice not just from a personal trainer, but also from a shoe specialist before purchasing your next pair.