I LOVE Zumba...but my feet don't!

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  • BrawlerBella
    BrawlerBella Posts: 400 Member
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    Hola Zumba lovers! I do Zumba 4x a week. The best shoes I've found are Nike Free or Reebok Nano 2. They allow pivoting and side to side movements with ease. I'm flat footed so I use Dr. Scholl's® Active Series™ Insoles for arch support.
  • pscarolina
    pscarolina Posts: 133 Member
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    I teach Jazzercise, not Zumba, but they are similar programs (dance aerobics that require some pivoting & lateral movement). I have tried a million types of shoes (it seems anyway). I am wearing Ryka Flextra right now & absolutely love them. I think finding the right shoe for you is almost like finding the right pair of jeans for your body. It's really hit/miss. What works for one will not work for another. Some of my ladies are wearing slip on dance pads over their shoes that help them pivot. Running shoes or cross trainers, look for the "lip" on the side of the shoe, will really hinder your lateral movement & make it more difficult to pivot as the bottom of the shoe is trying to give you more "grip" than what you need.

    Good luck! Happy feet make the whole body happy!
  • bigblues11
    bigblues11 Posts: 203 Member
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    I work at a latin dance studio. Revolution dance sneakers are what I recommend. They have nice arch support, just enough grip and don't make you slip all over the floor. Good luck with finding what works for you :)
  • VelveteenArabian
    VelveteenArabian Posts: 758 Member
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    There are "dance fitness sneakers" out there. They have circles on the bottom to make it easier to pivot. Some basketball sneakers have the same.

    Just don't waste your money on the Zumba brand sneakers - they're crap. Try Bloch or Capezio.
  • LeslieTSUK
    LeslieTSUK Posts: 215 Member
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    If you find it best in bare feet, might be wise to get something like this...
    http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=grip+socks
  • QuilterInVA
    QuilterInVA Posts: 672 Member
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    ACSIS Rythmn Gel 2 are made for Zumba. I got them on Amazon for less than $45. They are perfect!
  • sus49
    sus49 Posts: 94 Member
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    Have you tried warming up your feet for a couple of minutes before class?

    Here are two exercises that I do nearly daily:

    Sitting with your legs straight in front of you squeeze/curl your toes as if you are picking something up off the floor then push through the balls of your feet to point your toes. Repeat that ten times. Then reverse: (Flex curl point) again for 10 times.

    Another good warm up: Standing with your feet about as far apart as yours shoulders. Lift your heels off the floor just a tiny bit then lower. Repeat 10 times. Then lift your heels all the way up to stand on the balls of your feet and lower your heels very slightly then return to the high point 10 times. Then lower your heels. Rise all the way up and roll your heels all the way down to the floor 10 times.

    Hope this helps.
  • xTattooedDollx
    xTattooedDollx Posts: 426 Member
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    Try KT Tape. It's amazing! I use it on my feet and any other body part that is hurting.
  • Raynne413
    Raynne413 Posts: 1,527 Member
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    This post is almost a year old but there is excellent advice in here. I have high arches and a lot of body weight so I am currently searching for the right shoe. I feel like as long as I can move around and lose some weight, then my feet will hurt less. But in the meantime, in order to lose weight.... I have to hurt my feet. Haha... catch-22 of sorts.

    Do you guys have any more recommendations? Ones that have a big toe box, and can comfortably fit arch support inserts? Thanks!

    I have issues with plantar fasciitis, and ended up having to go with the New Balance W1540 that have a roll bar, and I use PowerStep Pro Tech inserts. This seems to be the perfect combination for me.
  • shrinkinginQualicum
    shrinkinginQualicum Posts: 131 Member
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    This post is almost a year old but there is excellent advice in here. I have high arches and a lot of body weight so I am currently searching for the right shoe. I feel like as long as I can move around and lose some weight, then my feet will hurt less. But in the meantime, in order to lose weight.... I have to hurt my feet. Haha... catch-22 of sorts.

    Do you guys have any more recommendations? Ones that have a big toe box, and can comfortably fit arch support inserts? Thanks!

    I don't do Zumba, so have no comments on the right footwear, but I was concerned that someone might ignore foot pain and make things worse. I suffer from flat feet, and lately have been very careful to wear runners with good support plus quality arch supports. I have had no foot pain for a couple of years now. BUT: recently, I couldn't find my gardening runners, so I figured, how much damage could I do in a couple of hours? I worked outside for 3 hours, and my ankle and arches hurt for weeks after. My arches just finally started feeling better now, but my ankle is still very sore. I can't walk barefoot at all right now, have to wear support ALL the time. It's been 3 weeks. So don't ignore foot pain, you might really pay for it in the long run. Especially if you are over 40 (the ligaments and joints loosen up with age, the specialist says) get the right support, whatever shoes you wear.
  • RachitaVJ
    RachitaVJ Posts: 6 Member
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    Hi guys - WOW, I had no idea there were so many replies.... and so quickly! I am getting used to the new forums. Thanks to you ALL.


    shrinkinginQualicum - I hear you. I've been. I had to get some phys therapy last year for severely spraining my ankle, so I keep going in for random checkups. I have to keep exercising my feet with bands so that has helped a lot.

    Raynne413 - The shoes I have now (NB) with Aetrex insoles are perfect for walking, running, biking for me. For dance-style exercises though, my feet burn a bit and feel very restricted.

    LeslieTsuk - your idea is intriguing. I have used those for pilates before. I might try them out for dancing.

    pscarolina - yes, that's what it seems like.... hit or miss. you are right. *SIGH* I am being forced to go.... shopping.... Woe is me! ;)

    Brawlerbella - ok, I will try those two out. I wonder if I can find them at outlet stores....
    --this goes for shoes all of you have told me about! And KT tape.

    Thanks again! And apologies for the double post!
  • Raynne413
    Raynne413 Posts: 1,527 Member
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    GwenWales wrote: »

    Raynne413 - The shoes I have now (NB) with Aetrex insoles are perfect for walking, running, biking for me. For dance-style exercises though, my feet burn a bit and feel very restricted.



    Thanks again! And apologies for the double post!

    Make sure the insoles have good arch support. Unfortunately, I had some REALLY comfortable shoes that I had to get rid of once I had problems with my plantar fasciitis. Even though they FELT great when I was wearing them, they didn't have enough firm support in the arches! I hope you find the problem, and an easy fix!

  • RachitaVJ
    RachitaVJ Posts: 6 Member
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    Raynne413 wrote: »
    GwenWales wrote: »

    Raynne413 - The shoes I have now (NB) with Aetrex insoles are perfect for walking, running, biking for me. For dance-style exercises though, my feet burn a bit and feel very restricted.



    Thanks again! And apologies for the double post!

    Make sure the insoles have good arch support. Unfortunately, I had some REALLY comfortable shoes that I had to get rid of once I had problems with my plantar fasciitis. Even though they FELT great when I was wearing them, they didn't have enough firm support in the arches! I hope you find the problem, and an easy fix!

    Thanks. I'll definitely watch out for that.
  • Suzeq66
    Suzeq66 Posts: 28 Member
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    I have very high arches and do zumba twice a week on two different floors, I wear Nike shoes, but take the insoles out and replace them with a better arch support. Lady Foot Locker has really good ones.

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