Zumba Shoes

Today was my third Zumba class and I think I'm already an addict. I've downloaded tons of songs (although I want to find the ones my instructors use more often), and I got a more appropriate pair of shoes for all the dancing and jumping. I like the instructor Monday mornings because she gives more verbal cues about how to do the steps and she uses the same songs for the beginning of the workout and it really gave me a chance to learn the steps better.

Nike Shox for Dancing

I went on a grand hunt for a good Zumba shoe last week. I've never had to find a shoe that was more light-weight and flexible because I'm used to the clunkers that prevent me from rolling my ankles. I ended up finding that I preferred shoes that weren't really meant for exercise at all. I liked the Merrell barefoot shoe and a pair of Nike Shox meant for dance.

I tried on the Merrell's and liked how flexible and lightweight they were and how the support in the arch and mid-foot, but after a few minutes the outsides of my feet started to ache, and that was just standing and walking in them. My Aunt works at REI and when I told her I liked the barefoot shoes but didn't think they'd work for my flat feet she convinced me to try the Brooks Pure Connect running shoes. They are a minimalist shoe which seems to be a trend lately, very lightweight and flexible, and a little bit more supportive and shock absorbing than the merrells. This video kind of gives you an idea about them.

I'm not sure how these are going to work out yet, but I'm holding out hope (if only for the fun color!). I did a workout in them today and my feet ached about halfway through the class, but they did that with my Nike's before too. I wonder if it's just a matter of getting used to them and breaking them in. I'm going to give them a few more classes before I decide if they're going to work for Zumba.

This is the color I got. I want to get a neon
yellow sports bra to match now.

I also wore them this evening for a choir rehearsal thinking I wouldn't be doing much walking so it was a chance to break them in a bit. My feet did start to hurt while I was standing during rehearsal, but I couldn't help but notice how good my posture was and how long my stride felt walking in them. I kind of want to try the first couch to 5k workout to see how they are for running. Perhaps this is the ticket to my running career!