Comparing Custom Orthotics and Off-The-Shelf Insoles
It’s that time of year again! The holidays are over and we are back to the grind after an indulgent December. The New Year is a popular time to start something new or return to an activity you love.
Many people make resolutions this time of year to become more active, try a new activity, or get back to the gym. Starting a new activity or returning to the gym is a great way to fulfill your New Year’s resolutions, but jumping headfirst into any new activity can lead to injuries.
There are a few key things you can do to set yourself up to be successful in achieving your goals and keeping your resolutions:
Choose the right shoe!
Not all shoes are created equal. Choosing the correct shoe for your activity is imperative in preventing injuries. This time of year, we tend to blow the dust off of our old gym shoes and march determinedly into the gym. Wearing old, worn down shoes can contribute to the development of an injury.
Checkout our website for more information on shoe selection HERE.
Train smart, not hard!
Choose a training regimen that suits your needs, but also doesn’t increase your risk of injury. Injuries tend to happen when we do too much, too soon, too quickly. Your body will have adapted to your sedentary lifestyle; introducing too much activity too quickly can quickly result in injury.
Start slowly and listen to your body. If something is painful during or immediately following activity, cut back the duration or intensity by half. Be sure to give yourself periods of rest in between workouts.
For those experienced runners who are looking to better understand their running mechanics, take a look at our GAiT Profile — a complete assessment of your running mechanics.
Take care of your feet!
Keeping feet healthy doesn’t stop at wearing the right shoe. Foot fungus thrives in moist, enclosed environments like a shoe! Guard against foot fungus, plantar’s warts and other infections by avoiding walking barefoot in public areas (showers, changerooms etc.), wearing moisture-wicking socks and keeping your feet clean and dry. Blisters, skin cracks, cuts, damaged cuticles and ingrown toenails are all ways that bacteria can enter the body through the feet. Keep an eye on your feet and see your physician if you have any concerns.
Use the right equipment, train smart and take care of your feet to set yourself to achieve those New Year’s resolutions! As always, if you have any questions or concern about your feet, shoes or injuries, talk to your pedorthist!
Looking for some great resources for health related info?
Here are the sites and podcasts I love to listen to (this is Colin talking!)
Nutrition:
http://www.precisionnutrition.com
Health Podcast
Of course, always talk with your doctor before starting anything new!
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