A good workout makes you feel great, and it helps you stay in shape. But if you aren’t careful with your feet and ankles, you can actually do more harm than good during your workout.
Wear the right shoes
Wearing poorly-fitting footwear is a common mistake and one that causes a significant amount of discomfort. Not only do your shoes need to cushion your soles properly, they also need to give the right support to your ankles.
- Go to a store that specializes in athletic footwear and have your feet measured properly.
- Only start wearing shoes for working out once you’ve broken them in by wearing them around the house for a while.
Socks matter
Wearing the right socks is just as important as wearing the right shoes. Socks cushion your feet as you exercise and absorb moisture, so look for pairs that have a moisture wicking texture and solid construction. Common problems like blisters can be avoided by choosing socks with good sole cushioning that wicks away sweat.
Warm up and cool down
Going from rest straight into a vigorous workout, then stopping dead when you’re done, can put your body under a lot of stress. Ease in and out of your routine with a proper warm up and cool down.
- If you’re going on a run, start by walking, then move to a jog and only then start to run hard. For cooling down, reverse the steps.
- Before and after any workout, doing some simple stretches will also help. Aim to spend around five minutes stretching at each end of your workout.