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Fancy footwork - aerobic shoes
American Fitness, March-April, 1993
Jump feet first into spring '93, with the best fitness shoe selection yet.
America is working out with more frequency, more variety and more style. As classes have diversified, so has the footwear. Traditional aerobic training shoes offer maximum support and traction. Step shoes are specially constructed for up and down motion. Dance aerobics styles have a more lightweight, flexible structure. Essentially the same as dance training, funk shoes add distinctive, MTV flair. Outside of aerobics classes, the popularity of fitness walking opened a market of upgraded walking shoes, creating a run/walk category.
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American Fitness''93 shoe review highlights spring's top shoes for instructors and enthusiasts. Catagories include aerobics, dance training, step training, cross training, run/walk and running.
AEROBICS
AVIA
Avia's FT Tech 5000 ($90) combines a cushioned running style sole with maximum stability. Comfort features include breathable foam mesh on top and resiliency foam sockliner inside. The FT Tech 5000 is generally designed for any strenuous aerobics class or cardiovascular machine, such as stairclimbing. An intermediate-level option is the 620 ($80) with perforated leather upper and sculpted midsole.
KAEPA
Once a larger presence in gyms, Kaepa moved its emphasis to the cheerleading sidelines. However, Kaepa's new fitness model, 6385 Radical Grip ($65), is a good price point shoe for aerobics. The outsole is detailed with effective traction grooves, and its hinged EVA midsole is flexible.
L.A. GEAR
After struggling with a personality complex as fashion versus sport shoe, L.A. Gear emerges with an instructor-worthy entry, Catapult Impulse ($75). Catapult refers to an "energy return" device in the heel which gives a rebound sensation upon impact. In the forefoot, L.A. Gear's encapsole air provides necessary cushioning.
NIKE
Air Elite Structure ($115) is an update of last season's instructor shoe. Enhancing shock dispersion, air cushioning appears in the forefoot as well as heel in a new rippled outsole. The high-top's upper design has support straps which wrap around a padded spandex ankle collar. Over the forefoot is a "dynamic-fit" sleeve anchored from the tongue to the midsole.
REEBOK
The best of Reebok's stability line are Instructor Pro Mid ($85) and Pro Low ($80). Both contain a medial stability bridge to prevent hazardous foot pronation. Hytrel foam, a heat-resistant material, pads the forefoot and honeycomb-pattern Hexalite pads the heel. Exercisers with wider, hard-to-fit feet tend to enjoy the structured Reebok fit. For those with stronger foot anatomy, the HyperLite Mid ($75) trades in reinforcement for a lighter overall design--under eight ounces.
RYKA
Still the ultimate in lightweight shoes, RYKA presents its 985 ($70). With bolder colors than the '92 pastels, RYKA introduces new design as well as technical detail. A contoured arch and visible nitrogen section are inserted in the new hard rubber outsole, improving traction and support.
SAUCONY
Jazz fit ($60) contains a full, board last for stability. A snug, comfort fit is provided by the removable sockliner and padded tongue and collar. Underneath is a standard EVA midsole, enhanced by lateral stability molding, and a reinforced but light outsole.
SIDE 1
The Side 1 line is created from the same research laboratory as Nike. But unlike the all-sport spectrum of Nike, Side 1 focuses only on women's fitness. Sculptlite ($80) and Brevias ($60) are the aerobics choices. Sculptlite is minimal weight with cut away side sections, leather/synthetic upper and flexible sole. Brevias is a more versatile, durable training shoe with reinforced toe box and ankle collar. Both have sufficient foot cushioning over sculpted, polyurethane midsoles.
DANCE TRAINING
L.A. GEAR
Street Funk Tech ($70) caters to dance aerobics with its lightweight, sleeker shaped toe box. Since sliding and pivoting require motion control, its less bulky profile that feels flatter to the floor is preferred. For the budget-conscious, Street Funk Trainer ($58) offers the same silhouette in all leather.
REEBOK
High on style, City Beat ($60) in red/black, white/black or solid black barely resembles a fitness shoe. But the Reebok entry contains a compression-molded EVA midsole and outsole. Though generously perforated, the garment leather upper is reinforced around the toes and ankle.
SIDE 1
The extra high-cut DBL Hit ($70) is Side 1's statement model. An internal fit sleeve and special "traction glide" outsole are specifically designed for fast funk moves. The more athletic looking Magnus ($70) offers a reinforced arch and support straps for aggressive dance style. Trilite ($60) combines the perforated, flexible upper from DBL Hit with the lower cut of Magnus, resulting in a lightweight dance shoe. All three models have a low-profile forefoot and heel, which keep feet close to the floor for agility.
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