where to buy new workout shoes - specialist or discount?

dawnr2

My exercise schedule consists of cardio classes such as spin, metafit, body pump etc and I need to buy a pair of trainers to suit my activities. Is it worth paying the extra to buy from specialist sports shop or discount retailer such as sports direct?

IsaackGMOON

Definitely go into a shop (whether its specialist or just a retailer) and try shoes to get a feel for them. I find that it's good to see whether trainers fit your feet so they're comfortable and decrease the risk of injury.

Runningmischka

I recommend getting your shoes at a specialty store. I learned that lesson after numerous foot injuries :ohwell: So now I have different shoes for walking, running, weight lifting, and group exercises (such as Zumba, BodyPump). That might be a little crazy, but It still within my annual shoe allowance, according to my dear spouse :laugh:

thavoice

My exercise schedule consists of cardio classes such as spin, metafit, body pump etc and I need to buy a pair of trainers to suit my activities. Is it worth paying the extra to buy from specialist sports shop or discount retailer such as sports direct?

Both.

If you are unsure of what shoes you want/need and feel good for you then go to a specialty store to figure that out so you can try on all of the models. Most will let you run around a little bit in them. YOu will get a good feel on what is best for you.
If you ask 10 people they will giveyou 10 diff recommendations so you are best to figure out your shoe on YOUR own.

I would suggest buying from that place after they spend the time, effort and expertise on you.

THEN after you know what works best you can search for deals.I Just checked the place you referenced and that would be perfectly fine to purchase from there for your next purchases to get the same model. A nike lungarfly3 from a specialty store and a nike lunarfly 3 from the discount website is the same shoe.

I recommend that when you find a model you like that you continue getting that kind until it gets discontinued...and most likely at some point it will, but then you usually can find them online at diff places for awhile!

dawnr2

Thanks for the advice folks. I am a bit unsure of what type of show I need so I think it will be worthwhile going to sports specialist shop. I know it will cost more for the shoes but at least it should rule out me buying the completely wrong type. I can always buy online after that. I've never had my feet assessed for high arches or flat feet etc and I don't know whether that's relevant for group class exercises or if it's only for running, which I don't do

mg1123

One thing I recommend is that you do a bit of what you would do in your workout while wearing the shoes in the store. I don't care how silly it is. I know I do a lot of plyo work, so I will jump up and down and make sure that they cushion my feet enough. I also had problems doing stationary lunges in one style of workout shoes, so I will do stationary lunges to make sure that my heels aren't sliding out of my shoes. Yes, I've had stares. I had one much older woman ask me once what I was doing, and when I explained, she said she never thought of that, and tried doing a bit of it.

mg1123

Oh, another thing is that once you find what works, then look for sales on that model number. Last shoes I bought, Shoe Station had a really excellent semi-annual sale, and I bought 3 pairs for like 75% off.

omma_to_3

Honestly, if you're not running in them, I think you'd be fine buying at a discount store. I've never had an issue finding comfy shoes myself until I started running. Walking might warrant a specialty store too if you walk longer distances. But for various cross training activities, I'd be ok at a discount store.

dawnr2

Thought I'd give a quick update since people were kind enough to respond. I went to the specialist sports shop and the guy advised that I buy cross training type shoes. I picked out 5 pairs and they didn't have a single pair in my size. They actually have another branch about 10 minutes walk away from there so I would have thought it would make sense for him to call them to check on stock but he didn't. So I ended up going to sports direct and they actually had all their shoes marked with trail, running, training etc so I need up buying a pair of Nike dual fusion training shoes. I wore them to metafit last night and they were very comfortable and good at absorbing impact on landing. Slightly disappointed though - I thought they would make me perform like an athlete but I still performed like a 41 year old with a very red, sweaty face!

omma_to_3

Slightly disappointed though - I thought they would make me perform like an athlete but I still performed like a 41 year old with a very red, sweaty face!

LOL...thanks for the laugh!