Shoes

A good aerobic shoe should always provide two things...good STABILITY, to accommodate lateral movement and CUSHIONING, to help absorb impact. How can you tell if your shoe will do the job? Easy... Just follow these simple steps.

1. Hold the shoe at the heel and toe and start twisting. The forefoot should bend with light resistance.

2. Check for laterally positioned straps and staggered lacing systems which aid in forefoot stability.

3. Look for a sufficiently wide, firm heel counter to ensure ankle stability.

4. Determine the composition of the "upper". Leather, canvas, nylon, or what? Firm leather will add greater support and durability to the shoe. Newer materials are lighter, breathe better (cooler/dryer) and are equally or more durable.

5. Make sure that the sole of the shoe compresses with pressure. Find out the composition of the mid-sole cushioning. EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) is the recommended substance. Many manufacturers use "air", "gels", and other methods to increase the impact-absorption properties of their shoes. Each has its own benefits.

6. The sock liner should make the shoe feel comfortable, but it contributes little to absorbing impact. You can remove the sock liner and replace it with your own orthotic device or another sole.

Keep in mind that the perfect shoe for you may not be the perfect shoe for your student, and vice versa. Individual needs must be taken into consideration. Here are a few examples. Proper cushioning is especially important for people with high arches and non-flexible feet; however, too much cushioning is not appropriate for people with flat or flexible feet. Overweight individuals need a heavier shoe for added support and cushioning.

Floor surface also needs to be considered when selecting the right shoe. Carpeted floors call for a shoe with less tread so that your feet will not catch as easily on the carpet. Shoes with more tread for traction work best on wood or linoleum surfaces.

Some final advice. Once individual needs are determined, proceed to the nearest aerobic shoe outlet, armed with questions in hand and present your desires to the sales staff. Next, put on the prospective shoe and Jazzercise around in the store. Try out the shoe on the same or a similar surface to that which you use for Jazzercise. Don't be shy...this is a major investment you're making. Do some chasses, jogs, triplets, or whatever. Are the shoes comfy? Do your feet tingle or faIl asleep? Lastly, inquire about the store return policy. Can you return the shoes after a trial period (say, one or two hours of wear) if they are not comfortable? If not, chasse around the store until you're sure that you can live with your decision. Pick the shoe that feels good on, around, and under your foot.