If you ever want to get the most out of your training, it’s not just your form that you need to pay attention to. Of course, a good pair of leggings and a comfortable sports bra are necessary to keep everything in its place and your body feeling its best. But when it comes to what can affect your performance and your ability to do squats and burpees over and over again, sneakers really matter. The good ones can help prevent injury and reduce the impact on your joints, while the bad ones can cause you discomfort, mess up your form, and possibly cause unnecessary strain on your joints and muscles. It’s something I learned recently from Jennifer Lopez’s trainer, Johanna Sapakie.
In what feels like winning a lottery pick, I had the opportunity to take a class with Sapakie through Flexit, a fitness app that lets you work virtually with a trainer in a one-on-one session. And as you can imagine, my session with Sapakie was quite intense. She comes from a background of aerial acrobatics, ballet and dance, so there was no slacking allowed. But during our short 30 minutes together, she taught me the key to strengthening my glutes and emphasized the importance of choosing a supportive shoe.
“If your feet aren’t supported, you feel it in your knees, in your back, it radiates through your body,” Sapakie said. The “it” she refers to is the tension and stress that can occur throughout the body due to the interconnectedness of your muscles. There are different tendons and nerves that run through your legs, hips, and ankles that also connect to your feet. That said, your sneakers are not only there to protect your lower half, but the other parts of your body as well. And for that, Sapakie is a big fan of Mizuno Shoes.
“The Mizunos are super supportive. I need lots of good arch support, and Mizunos [offer that], [and] a very good shape for anyone with a wider foot. They have a lot of width in them,” says Sapakie. “Because I run and kick my feet all day, for me they really help support my whole body.”
For some of the best Mizuno shoes to hang on to, take a look at the picks below.
TF-02 Training Shoe – $94.00
If you’re looking for a shoe to ground you during your uptempo workouts, this will be your go-to sneaker. It offers a ton of support thanks to the MIZUNO COB outsole, which gives you extra traction and the ability to change direction quickly during agility training. Not to mention, it has a double layer of mesh to help keep your feet cool and increase durability.
Wave Rebellion Running Shoe – $180.00
The best part about this shoe is how light it is. You really feel like you’re walking on a cloud thanks to the G3 Mizuno Lite cushion and G3 outsole. The outsole offers plenty of grip to anchor you to the ground, but isn’t heavy so you can lift and pick up speed when you need it.
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Wave Rider 25 Waveknit D—$140.00
This shoe is another one that is suitable for multiple workouts. It has the same MIZUNO ENERZY foam to cushion your foot and give your feet some support and a secure fit. Plus, it’s super breathable thanks to the special Waveknit fabric that gives your feet room to air out.
FYI, Mizuno has come a long way in the sneaker world since the brand first formed in 1906. Until the 1970s, they were primarily known for manufacturing sports equipment and apparel for baseball, golf, and other sports. But that started to change after the launch of their first everyday sneaker in 1972 called the M line. Since then, they have created a number of custom shoes for different workouts and physical activities. This includes top styles like the Wave Rider and the Wave Inspire. Their shoes are known for their unique technology, which favor both stability and cushioning. It’s this combo that is clearly why Sapakie is a fan – and why I’ll surely be bringing a pair to our next session.
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