Help! Where to start buying running shoes?

[Violetroses]

I need to lose weight after my third baby and reckon running is the best bet (is free, on my doorstep and would get me away from the children for 30-minute stretches - bliss!).

I'm a total novice - have never been sporty, am carrying too much weight (size 14-16) and have owned my current trainers for 20 years (I'm 37 ).

My DH reckons I should go to a specialist shop where they make you go on a treadmill to assess your running style. It sounds nightmarishly humiliating! And I'm reluctant to spend a fortune on a new hobby.

Is this necessary? Or is it fine to buy any old trainers off the internet?

I'd go to somewhere like sports direct and try some on and find a pair that are comfortable.

dont buy any old trainers off the internet - but I agree just go to sportsdirect and try them on. You dont need to spend a fortune. you certainly dont need 'assessing' LOL. IMO dont spend more thatn 25 quid. If you get the running bug, worry about spending more later. I have a pair of reeboks I got for 18 quid and have worn for running a few times a week. they are perfectly adequate.

Do not go to sports direct!
Advice from a professional? Go to a running shop. Trainers out there vary so much and getting the right ones will help prevent injury. They can assess your running style and will chose a good trainer for you. Please don't feel intimidated, they will have seen thousands of new runners.

When you start running, do some research and find a plan to build up your fitness gradually. They are easy to find on the internet.

Doing it properly will minimise your chance of injury and maximise your ability and desire to run long term.

You need to get get proper trainers or you risk injury especially if you are carrying a little extra weight. Being assessed for trainers isn't humiliating they just need to see if you need extra support if you pronate

What Accidental and Caerlaverock said. Then have a look at the NHS Couch to 5 k plan. There's loads about it on the NHS Choices website.

Definitely go to a specialist shop. You can specify a price range and any other preferences you have (like brand for example - I find Asics really work for me, but hate Reebok). Take your current trainers with you as well.

Take my old trainers! They will laugh long and hard!

Thanks all, for the advice. DH will feel vindicated. Will toughen resolve for trip to scary sports shop...

from a recent Panorama programme (showing that there is a lack of evidence that popular sports products work the way their manufacturers claim):

Professor Benno Nigg of the University of Calgary in Canada, has been studying the biomechanics of running for more than 40 years.

He said the conventional thinking was that cushioning and control were the key health benefits of running shoes - but that idea has been proven wrong by recent studies that showed no difference in injury rates if runners were prescribed structured shoes meant to control how their foot lands as they run.

"The most important predictors for injuries are distance, recovery time, intensity and those type of things... the shoes come very, very later as minor contributors."

Prof Nigg's advice to runners is to find something that fits.

"If you can find a shoe where you just enjoy that activity and you are comfortable, that's all you need."

you can watch the while programme on iplayer too:

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01l1yxk

'whole' not while!

I started running a few years ago (at 40!) and used cheapo sports direct nike trainers. They were fine as I wasn't running distances.

After a while I got some good ones. Measured up at a local running shop. They were much better.

Most recently I did need a new pair, and went to Sweatshop. By far the best service, I was in there for over half an hour. I came out with New Balance - wide fit, half a size too big - all important things. They cost £80 - the cheapest in the shop. I wasn't going by price - I didn't know the prices until i had chosen anyway.

If you fork out - then you are more likely to keep up the running :)

I was the same as you when I started running. Optimistically a 14 but probably closer to a 16. Close on two stone overweight and 36. I went to JJB and bought some Nikes to start off with. I didn't want to spend a fortune if running didn't work out for me. About £30 I think. After about 30km of couch to 5k I developed an ankle injury. I got sent by MN Sport section to a running shop where I bought my first pair of running shoes for £90. 270km later and 9 months I'm just starting to think about replacing them. My ankle cleared up with the new trainers and I've had no problems since.

Good luck! Google couch to 5k then head over to Sports where you'll find a load of new runners.

can you afford to spend £70 or £80 on a properly fitted pair of trainers? If yes, then def go along to a place where they will look at your gait and style. you really want to avoid injury and get something suited to you.

those suggesting sports direct - are you runners?

I am also someone who developed an injury quickly when I started running in cheap trainers. I then went to a running shop and got assessed (it was fine), spent about £80 and never looked back. Until I ruined my knee doing the 3 peaks challenge but that's a different story.

That couch to 5k link is fantastic, thank you.

Can't really afford expensive trainers, but DH reckons I should dig into our savings, get amazing shoes and that will guarantee I'll keep running. I'd probably prefer to spend it on the DCs.

Nothing can guarantee that you keep running though! Something just clicked with me and running. It's been the first and only exercise I've stuck to despite having NO athletic ability up until January this year. You also have to budget to replace your shoes every year or 250 miles (I think - check the mileage though!!)

Injuries are miserable and can have long term implications so take advice and spend money wisely.

A family member of mine runs in shoes she bought from ebay and has lost her big toenails as her shoes are too small and her feet hit the end.

Yes, it is very common - and is caused by the trainers rubbing against toenails constantly.

I wore my old trainers the other day just to go for a walk - and they are too small really. Not tight, but they are in no way as comfortable as my newer pair - which are a good half size bigger than my regular shoe size.

Your feet swell during a run, obviously on the longer runs it matters more.

There are often sales on inthe main running shops.

Can you get to an "Up and Running"? Great advice. Fab choice and wonderful staff.