Running is a great form of exercise. If you want to try running as part of your exercise regimen, then you need to get a pair of good running shoes. This is important as ill-fitting and unsuitable footwear can cause you injury.

You can always go to a sports store or a store that specializes in running gear for assistance, but be sure to consider the following when you decide to buy:

Know your size. Running expands your feet after a few miles. When you buy shoes, make sure that you provide your feet a bit of room when they do expand.

Know your weight. The shoes that you should get should be able to absorb the pressure that you put into it. Get something that will provide adequate cushioning.

Know where you will run. Will you be running on asphalt? On dirt? Get shoes with the appropriate soles.

Know biomechanics. This can be done by having your gait assessed. You can do this is running stores or you can do a “wet test” by examining your wet foot print on the floor. You can step on a basin with water and then place your footprint on paper. Observe what your print looks like. There are sites that show you graphically what these prints mean. But basically they can be:

Normal or Medium Arch:
When you see half of your arch
Neutral-Cushioned shoes or Performance-training shoes

Flat or Low Arch:
When you see your entire foot (flat foot)
Mild to Moderate Overpronators or Motion-control shoes

High Arch:
When you see just your heel or ball of your foot
Underpronators to Neutral-Cushioned shoes