This article gives you tips on how to choose kung fu tai chi shoes at the Golden Lion Academy because poor footwear choice can derail your martial arts training.
Have you taken a look at your kung fu tai chi training shoes recently? Are you wearing the correct shoes? Poor footwear choice can derail your fitness plans. Old, worn out shoes can lead to ankle and heel pain, shin splints and worse. Check the mid-sole of your shoe and if it’s worn out, it’s time to get new shoes.
Shoes are an important part of our uniform and they provide adequate support and stability and enhance performance. Without the proper footwear you can experience pain and discomfort. Shoes help lessen the impact of our step, which is particularly important when we jump and land. Bare feet are not suitable because you don’t want ankle or foot injuries and shoes help with balance and power. As we spar and use weapons, we want to minimise injuries.
When you first buy a pair of shoes, you need to think about what you want out of them. There are many shoes on the market but it really is important to purchase the correct shoe for the purposes of your training, such as the quick direction changes often needed in kung fu or the shoes helping in controlling balance during tai chi.
As we train indoors, the kung fu or tai chi shoes you purchase should be specifically designed for indoor use. Equally if you were out hiking, you would choose sturdy hiking boots for the climate and terrain you trek. Whilst running shoes have inbuilt shock absorbance for jogging, indoor shoes are more lightweight and help to cushion the ball of the foot for our martial arts activities. You do not want to buy the thick soles or high top runners (such as basketball boots), which are inappropriate. Sometimes indoor volleyball and tennis shoes can be ok because they are designed for quick side-to-side movements that we do in class.
You want to support your feet but have movement so you can enjoy your training session. The kung fu or tai chi shoe must have increased mobility so what that means is that it supports the foot and ankle but isn’t so rigid as to disallow flexibility in the foot. High-soled shoes don’t allow this and should be avoided. There must be enough grip to hold on to the mat or carpet surface of the club floors. Rubber grips surfaces well. A stable platform is important so you don’t fall over.
Is there enough space in the toe area and do they fit properly? Without that, you can get bunions and ingrown toenails. Some styles have a circle on the sole, which helps you pivot your foot when you kick and turn, particularly on mats.
If you can afford to, keep your kung fu or tai chi shoes only for your training and use your other sneakers for outdoor use. One pair of sneakers really doesn’t cover all of your fitness needs. Of course it goes without saying that sneakers should always be clean. Respect includes a neat and tidy uniform as well as cleanliness across your body, clothing and footwear. Only use your sneakers for your training as shoes worn for other uses can bring in mud and dirt into the centres, speeding up the wear and tear to the academy’s expensive floors.
The shoe should enhance or compliment your martial arts uniform. For example, a black sneaker will look better than a brightly multi-coloured shoe for kung fu and a simple white sneaker fitting suits the tai chi calm blue and white uniform.
So if it’s time to buy your next pair of kung fu or tai chi shoes for training, don’t forget to get them fitted. At the end of the day, feet grow as you get older and they also swell over the course of the day.
Here is your kung fu tai chi shoes buying checklist:
- Soft leather
- Designed to grip the floor
- Flat soled without stud grips
- No hard edges
- Comfortable
- Airflow to keep the foot cool and dry
- Snug fit across the entire shoe to prevent slipping
- Lightweight
- Flexible
- Indoor Shoe
- Non-marking sole
Shoes might not seem so critical in your training at first glance but are in fact important not only for comfort and support but because they also reflect something about you. They give insight into the respect and pride you have for yourself and the club. So consider your kung fu tai chi shoes, whether it’s time to get some new appropriate shoes (and socks for that matter) and remember that eyes might be the window to the soul but what is your choice of footwear saying about the rest of you?