How to Choose the Right Athletic Shoes

You’re just steps away from a better workout. Here’s how to pick a pair of shoes geared toward your routine and body. 

Running Shoes Versus Cross-Trainers

Go with running shoes if you mostly jog or walk, since they’re engineered for heel-to-toe motion. Why not walking shoes? “Running sneakers cater to a wider range of foot types and are built to last longer,” says Megan Leahy, a doctor of podiatric medicine at the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, in Chicago.

Go with cross-trainers if your routine includes an activity like aerobics, weight training, or kickboxing (basically any exercise on a hard surface that involves side-to-side movement).