Build a Good Foundation - What to Look for in a Pair Of Martial Arts Shoes
Investing in a good pair of martial arts shoes is paramount if you are serious about your martial art. So, if you are just starting out what should you look for, and is it worth spending a lot of money on a pair of martial arts shoes?
The Importance of Footwork Footwork is an important component of martial arts, so take your footwear seriously. Your martial arts shoes need to be comfortable and supportive, to help prevent needless foot and ankle injuries.
Famed martial artist Bruce Lee said, "the essence of fighting is the art of moving" and your feet are what get you to your opponent and away from them, not kicking or punching. If you are slow on your feet and don't have fluid mobility, it follows that you will be slow/ineffective with the rest of your movements. For example, the power generated for your punches is dependent on footwork, as your feet should be firmly planted on the floor for maximum power. Therefore, to maintain fast speeds and coordination, correctly sized, form fitting shoes are a must.
Thankfully you can get high performance martial arts shoes without spending big bucks, but you need to know what to look for. Get shoes with the following features - they should be lightweight, flexible and breathable. Most shoes have rubber soles with pivoting action and varying degrees of support - such as compression molded wrap-around midsoles for extra lateral support. Removable sock liners and breathable mesh panels are also preferable, as well as non-marking outer soles and a no-slip lacing system.
Different martial artists have different needs - for grapplers and mixed martial artists, a thin layer of rubber reinforcement just forward of the instep will give a solid, stable grip and hold the mat; but in general a nice soft lightweight leather shoe with the aforementioned benefits will go a long way to give you the most comfortable footwear.
There are many shoes on the market today that look cool as well as wear well. As with any shoe buying it is preferable to try on the shoes before buying - to walk about in them, practice a few low key moves and check that the fit is comfortable in the heel, arch and toes.
It is also a good idea to go shoe buying in the late afternoon when your feet have swollen and are at their largest. If you buy shoes when your feet are a bit bigger they will feel more comfortable during all the forms and sparring you will put them through. Whether you end up purchasing your martial arts shoes at a sports store or online, following this articles' advice will make you confident in your choice.
Fran Jeanes contributes health and fitness advice to http:///www.knowaboutmartialarts.com, a site dedicated to helping people know about martial arts and self defense.
Comment on "Build a Good Foundation - What to Look for in a Pair Of Martial Arts Shoes"
| Related News: |
