Tips for Selecting a Good Shoe for Zumba

I hate it when I buy a shoe for zumba class or any other fitness activity and then after trying it out I find that it does not perform as I hoped it would.

Here are some things I found that will help you select the right shoe and make your shoe work for you.

1. If it is important that your feet feel very comfortable and cushioned, then wearing a thicker sock and adding a cushioned insole like the Spenco Cross Trainer Insoleto the shoe will change the feel of the shoe drastically.  So when trying on the shoe take this into consideration. You may have to buy a size up in order to make this work.
2. When trying the shoe on, stand up and place all of your weight into the toebox. If your toes feel constrained or the shoe does not allow your foot to feel comfortable then the shoe is too narrow. Sometimes going a size up remedies this. You definitely want to be able to spread the toes out inside the shoe when placing weight on the ball of the foot. You may also need to try this with the back of your foot in the heel as well.
3. For most people, the right foot is bigger than the left. So make sure you try on both shoes and fit according to your right foot.
4. When deciding between two different shoes, try one on the right foot and the other on the left foot. Stand up and place your weight into the shoes. This is a great way to compare the feeling of support in different styles.
5. Pick a shoe that feels supportive in the whole footbed, not just in the heels. If you can't find this then adding the athletic insole will make the shoe more supportive. Remember that for zumba you want a shoe that has multi-directional support.
6. Select a shoe that has a replaceable insole. I found that almost always I replace the insole with ones that are meant for athletic activities, such as the Spenco Cross Trainer Insoleand it makes my feet feel much more supported.
7. Take into consideration the type of tread on the sole of the shoe. I prefer some tread because I like some traction while doing zumba, as in the Nike - Air Max Team ST. Choosing a shoe with less traction and that glides more, like the Nike - Musique III, may be better if you have problems with your knees or just want a shoe that slides better.

Take your time in choosing your shoes and you will be much happier with your selection. Personally, I like ordering shoes online at Zappos.com(instead of in a retail store where I may feel rushed) to make the best decision, especially because they have free shipping both ways. For a complete list of recommended shoes for zumba visit http://dancenyoga.com/best_shoes_for_zumba.