The sight of several thousand people running around Fargo can motivate even the most content couch potato.
Maybe you'll catch the running bug from Saturday's Fargo Marathon participants. Or perhaps you'll be inspired to tackle another type of physical activity.
Step one: Get off the couch.
Step two: Get the right shoes.
"The rule of thumb is if you're doing a sports-specific activity, say for over two hours a week or three hours a week, you should wear the sports specific shoe, whether that be basketball or soccer or running," says Dr. Tim Uglem, a podiatrist at MeritCare Southpointe in Fargo.
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Shoes are designed to help avoid injuries associated with the sport, such as stress fractures or tendonitis, he says.
For example, a running shoe will help propel the body forward, but offer little support for side-to-side movement, says Duane Cwikla, sport shoe manager at the West Acres Scheels All Sports store. Court shoes have a more durable sole with better traction, but are stiffer and heavier, he says.
We asked Cwikla to explain what differentiates the various shoes types, and how much our couch potato can expect to spend.
