Olivia SanchezFollowing a fitness regime becomes a whole lot easier when you have a quality pair of shoes in tow. When you go out and buy a pair, it is likely that you will need to make the choice between cross training and running shoes. So, which one is right for you? Let’s put cross training shoes vs running shoes and help you to decide!
Also read: Understanding Which Type of Footwear is Best for Hiking
Running Shoes
As the name implies; running shoes are for running. They are specifically designed for the foot to be kept straight. Running shoes expect you to be switching between your heel and your toe without much change in the direction of your movement. As a result, they will be cushioned in these places for a smoother running experience.
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Cross Training Shoes
Cross Training shoes, on the other hand, are built for everything fitness related that doesn’t involve running. The sole of a good pair of cross training shoes will be flatter. This makes it easier to have your feet move in various directions.
Why do you need the right shoes for the job?
A lot of people who are putting cross training shoes vs running shoes do not realize just how important it is that they choose the right pair of shoes for their needs. Sure, you may be able to run a short distance in a pair of cross training shoes, but if you are doing it ‘day in, day out’, then you need running shoes. There are multiple reasons why the right pair is important:
Comfort
Take running shoes, for example. They have been designed for people who are simply running in a straight line. Heel to toe. Constant motion. This means that they are padded in the parts of the shoe which will get the most use. Cross training shoes, on the other hand, have flat soles. So, if you run with them, there isn’t going to be padding in the parts which get the most pressure. It becomes an uncomfortable run.
Potential for Injury
Using the wrong shoes will increase the risk of injury. For example; if you try to do certain weight lifting exercises with running shoes, you will find it difficult to land correctly due to the padding. If you are running in cross training shoes, there is simply not enough padding to cushion you when you are running. This could lead to you spraining your ankle.
These are the main issues. This is why before the fact that you consider running in the wrong shoes will not be able to run as fast as they can. Same if you are doing any other form of exercise.
Which shoes should you choose?
Generally speaking, if you are running, then you should always opt to buy a decent pair of running shoes. If you are doing any other form of exercise, then cross training shoes are going to be the way to go. This isn’t to say that you can’t overlap the two on occasion. It is fine to do a bit of running in cross training shoes once in a blue moon but, as we said, you probably don’t want to be doing that every single day. You will get injured.
Remember; this information is only going to help you to decide between cross training and running shoes. You will need to put in a bit of effort if you are doing more specialist forms of training. This will increase the chances of you being able to get best footwear that works for your needs.
William Fowler