Monday Retail Madness

For Monday's Retail Madness, the question comes from a reader:

Where can one find good work out shoes that will last for cheap $$$$ ?

Great question reader. The thing with workout shoes is that they do eventually wear out due to use so the key is to get the longest life out of your shoes as possible. The best way to get good value on work out shoes is to buy them on sale and preferably with a coupon, if possible. Vendors like Nike, New Balance and Addidas constantly have sneakers on sale so there is really no need to pay full price. These shoes are generally still high in quality but are considered "last season" and thus, have been reduced. Another key to finding shoes that are good quality is to start searching before your old shoes have completely worn out. That way you will have time to shop around and find a pair that are a good fit and well-priced.

Speaking of fit, a key to extending the life of your shoes is to ensure that they fit you and provide the proper support for the types of workouts you will be doing. A good way to ensure fit is to actually go into the store and have a salesperson check the fit of the shoe when you are trying them on. You want to make sure you have enough room at the toe and in the width but not so much room that your foot slides around. Also, make sure to have athletic socks on when you are trying on shoes.

Another important consideration in purchasing shoes is the type of shoe. If you are doing running or walking, you should have running or walking shoes and a second pair if you also do cross training or aerobics. This may seem like a lot of money to spend on two pairs of shoes but in reality, you will extend the life of both of your shoes by switching which pair you use and only using shoes that are specifically designed for the workout you are doing. Additionally, you will prevent injury by providing your feet in ankles with the appropriate support depending upon the motions you will be going through during your workout.