Don't Get Sucked Into the "ProtoHYPE"

The “Prototype” is simply a cross training shoe that is no different than any other cross trainer that Nike, Adidas, New Balance, or any of the other major shoe companies produces. It is going to be over-priced because Under Armour has a tendency to add value to their products by setting a higher price (It makes you think the product has higher quality). In my opinion, most of the cross training shoes on the market right now are junk except for one shoe, the Nike Free Trainer. It is a true training shoe in every way possible.

The Nike Free Trainer, in terms of fitness, is revolutionary and has the potential to change the way people look at shoes and their feet forever. Let's think of it this way: most of us train our biceps, triceps, pectorals, lats, quadriceps, hamstrings, etc. But do most of us train our feet? The answer is no. The majority of people do not train their feet and the idea sounds silly. However, this is quite an important topic to consider. As a trainer, I personally believe that everything in our bodies is connected somehow or someway. A pain in our left big toe could eventually cause a pain in your right hip or lower back. Why? Because over time the pain in your toe is going to cause you to compensate one way or another to alleviate the pain, thus causing a pain in another area. Therefore, if we have weak feet, we have weak legs, abs, back, shoulders, etc. What kind of shoe do you wear? Here is a test for you. Take off your shoes. Now, attempt to bend your shoe in half and notice how the shoe bends. I will guess that just the toe of your shoe has flexibility. Was I right? This shoe inflexibility is generally the case with all makes of shoes on the market today. We have been fooled into believing that our shoes should be sturdy and protective. All this does is create a brace for an uninjured part of our body that eventually will cause a weakness if it hasn't already. Say you have never had problems with your knees -- they feel great and you could run a good distance without any pain in them. Then one day someone comes up to you and says, “here you need this knee brace, put it on your right knee to protect it.” So why are you training in shoes that act as a brace that does not allow the muscles of the feet to strengthen?

I'm guessing you probably think I work for Nike now or have some sort of contract to help sell their shoes. Not the case at all, I just think people need to be educated on the benefits of a good training shoe. Optimal Fitness should be the goal of every individual with an active lifestyle. I believe you should always be thinking of ways to improve yourself and advance. Maybe you are standing on the answer. Nike Free Trainer's can be purchased on Nike's website or at most Nike Outlets, including the new Nike Outlet in Queenstown on the Maryland Eastern Shore. They will run you about $50 at the outlets and $85 to $100 on the website. It's more than worth the investment. I own three pair of Free's and it's the best shoe I have ever owned.
The shoe is not designed for running long distance, it is simply a shoe for training. Running can be done in the shoe but you must progress yourself properly and strengthen the muscles in your feet until you have reached a point where you can run without injury.

Fitness starts with your feet. So get out there and pick up a pair of Free's and begin to strengthen your feet! It sounds crazy but you have nothing to lose (besides $50-$100). Let's see some Free's in the gym!!