People with flat feet- talk trainers with me?!

[sproutish]

This year my very original resolution was to exercise more.

I have completely flat and very wide feet. I bought standard trainers - sponges sole, slightly raised heel.

I am in agony, the bottom of my feet felt like I had cramp the whole time.

Has anyone got any recommendations for better trainers? Preferably that won't cost the earth?

Determined not to let this stop me!

Should note I am sure it's the trainers - I work on my feet in "proper" shoes and I'm fine all day. It's not just because I'm not used to moving!

Perhaps you should consider insoles for exercising. They are free on the NHS for everyone you just need a GP referral.
My feet are awkward and wide and I always wear skechers wide fit with memory foam insoles when I go to the gym or out for a long walk, they are very flexible and won't make your feet cramp up.

Thanks for the suggestion Irritated! I'd not even thought of insoles, so definitely something to look into

Similar feet to yours! Have also suffered from plantar fasciitis and found that Adidas pure boost have been brilliant for me.
images.linnlive.com/547b3d68c93e199cbd048cb886b17ccc/24393020-4af0-43da-b916-5b25a9d31f35.jpg
(apologies for long link!)
You can see the shoe is slightly away from the sole at the arch area and you may think that's not offering support but it does. (I've had physio prescribed insoles and found these trainers worked far better.)
Would recommend sizing up a half size with Adidas if you have wide feet.

I got my hair analysed at a running shop. Asics have been really good for me, But I order them online now at sportsshoes.com where I can get older styles cheaper.

I don't run but I have really achy feet. I went to a specialist shop (Achilles Heel in Glasgow)and now wear Brookes - all sorts of colours and trainer style / shoe style.

I used to work for a company that sold sports shoes to athletes so this is kind of my thing.

If you have wide flat feet, your best bet is a pair of New Balance shoes. They come in various widths and are brilliant. Try looking at this selection - if these aren't suitable, let me know and I'll find you something else. They are varied in price obviously. I searched for running shoes, but if you want them for doing walking etc, you might be better suited with a X-trainer. Have a look at the link and I'll monitor the thread etc.

Here is a width guide for New Balance shoes.

It's worth noting that you could buy a neutral shoe, and add inserts if the shoe doesn't offer enough support to your medial arch. Are you planning on buying them online, or going to a shop?

My feet are very flat (but also very narrow, so different to yours).

I wear Brooks Adrenaline running shoes, but the absolute only thing that helped me was custom orthotics from a podiatrist. Not cheap, but worth every cent.

Go to a shop that sells running shoes. They can analyse your gait and build and suggest shoes that will suit you. They do it electronically. It's science!