A common mistake people make when they are working out is wearing the incorrect kind of footwear. Whether it be that they are just unaware of it, figure it doesn't make that much of a difference, or (and I have been guilt of this in the past!) they are looking to cut back on expenses and don't want to invest in a new pair of running shoes. But the truth is, if you aren't wearing the right kind of shoes you are drastically increasing your chances for getting injured; and even if you don't wind up injured enough to warrant taking time of you could be left with nagging sorenesses, tightnesses, and aching joints. What's also interesting is that many common ailments aren't necessarily directly around the foot or ankle; because of different running gaits and the other movements you undertake during your particular activities of choice it can be surprising to learn that a strained hip flexor or even serious back problems are tied to the shoes on your feet.

That being said, the first thing you need to know when you are getting the proper shoes for working out is your foot type. Once you've determined whether you are an overpronator, supinator, or neutral foot type you then can shop accordingly. Now once you've found the perfect pair of running shoes the next thing you have to do is put a life term on those kicks; an average shoe should last about 500 miles. That can work out to being two months or up to six depending on how many miles you run a week, so take a trip back to elementary school and do a little mathematics. :) That is just a rough estimate and again everyone is different; some people land particularly hard on their heels or forefoot so if you notice that the treads are wearing thin (usually running shoes have a black or darker colored bottom, if you start to see the lighter shades under that top layer it's time to lay those shoes to rest) then you may have to get a new pair even sooner.

Making sure to get a new pair of shoes can be something that slips peoples' minds, so if you keep a training log it can be helpful to write in the date you purchased a new pair as a reminder. It is surprising how you can sometimes 'feel' that you need a new pair of shoes; you may notice a tight Achilles, your knees are sore, or you could start having a flare up of shin splints. When these things start to occur people sometimes look to other forms of treatment (which is always smart to do in addition) when in fact they could have solved the problem with a simple shoe change.

Finally, another tip is to actually buy two pairs of running shoes and then alternate between the two. This actually will prolong the life of each shoe; both a cost effective and smart way to stave off an injury. I know that some people take to their workouts or go running in the wrong pair of shoes just because they don't know any better...but I cringe when I see someone running in a pair of converse (and I've seen others sporting jeans!) and think it must be something akin to what your dentist would think if he knew you were brushing with your finger. ;)

So be smart, diagnose your foot type, get the right pair of shoes, then keep tabs on those shoes and be ready to send them to the grave when it's time. You can actually be eco-friendly and recycle them; Nike stores usually have a bin for you to toss your old running shoes into in one of their Reuse-a-Shoe bins which is a neat program that will grind down the shoes and then reuse them to build tracks, playground equipment, and other neat things.