Beauty

2) GOOD TRAINERS

Good quality, supportive footwear is essential if you intend to do any kind of weight-bearing activity with impact (and yes, that includes walking). Different sports and activities have different shoe requirements: for example, the constant change in direction involved in tennis means you need the upper to hold your foot firm and the sole to be conducive to lateral movement. If you're doing aerobics, dance or step classes, you'll need plenty of cushioning in the forefoot, as you are frequently on the ball of the foot. But with forces equalling up to eight times your body weight with each step, and an average of 10,000 steps per hour, it is running that demands the most advanced protection.
Which to buy and why<br>
Which to buy and why
 Staff in a specialist sports shop can advise you best, after looking closely at your feet and gait (the way you walk or run) and determining what sort of surfaces and distances you plan to cover. You might find yourself trying on a pair of ASICS Gel Kinsei (pictured). Already considered the 'real' runner's shoe company, ASICS has spent five years developing this, its top-of-the-range running shoe. At £130, they aren't cheap, but are heavy on technology, providing better cushioning, 'impact guidance' (to help prevent feet rolling in too much) and stability. ASICS also claims that the shoe's unique construction allows it to adapt to the individual needs of the wearer - so don't lend them to a friend!

Many people loved the Nike Free, launched last year, for its looks and slipper-like comfort, but even Nike conceded it wasn't supportive enough for running. Now, Nike is about to launch the Nike Free 7.0, £65, a shoe which maintains the minimalist approach but is robust enough for workouts, too. And, later this year, all Nike footwear will be Nike+ enabled, so they can transmit information like speed, distance you've run etc to your iPod Nano. For ASICS stockists, call 01925 243360; Asics.co.uk. For more on Nike, call 0800 056 1640; Nike.com.