Step into 2025 with Confidence: Best Athletic Shoes Guide

Whether you're walking off the holiday season or diving into a new fitness journey, the start of the year is a great time to reset your routine. But before you lace up, it’s crucial to talk about something that often gets overlooked, your athletic shoes. The wrong footwear can lead to everything from minor aches to serious injuries. At Foot Solutions Plymouth, we believe that comfort and performance go hand in hand.

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Athletic Shoes Matter More Than You Think

Your feet are the foundation of every movement, and poor-quality or ill-fitting shoes can impact your ankles, knees, hips, and even your posture. Whether you’re taking up jogging, hitting the gym, or enjoying power walks on the Hoe, athletic shoes tailored to your gait and arch type make a measurable difference.

Listen to Your Body (and Your Shoes)

New year motivation often leads to people overdoing it. Be mindful of aches, especially around the heel or ball of the foot. These are warning signs your body, and possibly your shoes, aren’t up to the task. Don’t ignore them. A professional footwear assessment can reveal what your feet truly need.

Not All Trainers Are Created Equal

Supermarket trainers or fashion-forward sneakers often lack the support needed for sustained activity. Instead, Foot Solutions Plymouth recommends opting for performance-designed athletic shoes that suit your exercise type. Walking shoes, running shoes, and cross-trainers all have different structural demands.

Get a Professional Fit at Foot Solutions Plymouth

Our specialists don’t just guess your size; we assess your stride, arch, pressure points, and posture. With a wide range of athletic footwear from top brands, we match you with the perfect shoe for your needs.

Make Smart Footwear Part of Your 2025 Fitness Goals

Investing in quality shoes is just as important as investing in a gym membership or fitness tracker. At Foot Solutions Plymouth, we help you find the right athletic shoes so you can train smarter, avoid injury, and stay motivated to achieve your goals.

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A man is holding a pair of shoes in front of a sign that says foot solutions.
March 28, 2025
Steve Morgan loves attending concerts at London’s many music venues.  However, in recent years, his enjoyment has been increasingly marred by foot and back pain that prevented him standing for prolonged periods. A keen sportsman, Steve, 44, has a high pain threshold, but about a year ago the discomfort became debilitating, limiting both his mobility and quality of life. Recommended by a work colleague whose mother had been successfully treated for a similar complaint, Steve made an appointment for a free, no obligation assessment at Foot Solutions. “The assessment was detailed, rigorous and really interesting” explains Steve. “All the consultants at Foot Solutions are highly-trained specialists and really know their stuff. I learnt that I have over-pronating feet which means that my arches flatten on impact with the ground. The recommended treatment was customised arch supports. The consultant explained the benefits without applying any sales pressure. After consideration, I decided to proceed with the purchase.” Have the arch supports helped? “They’ve been an absolute godsend” says Steve, “The foot pain has been massively reduced and the back pain has completely gone. I can now enjoy a night out with hardly any discomfort. Plus, my balance and posture have improved so much that I’ve realised that I’m taller than people I thought were bigger than me!” Would he recommend Foot Solutions? “Definitely” confirms Steve, “Foot Solutions are massive in America and it’s easy to see why. The assessment process is excellent, the products are superb and the staff are outstanding.” If you’re suffering from foot, back or joint pain, contact Foot Solutions today to arrange a free foot and gait analysis.
A man holding a pair of shoes in front of a foot solutions sign
March 28, 2025
Although officially retired as a Consultant Maxillofacial Prosthetist, Colin Haylock MBE still travels the world using his specialist life-changing skills to help rebuild people’s faces.  However, following a motorcycle accident which left his left foot badly deformed, Colin’s mobility was significantly restricted. “I was really struggling,” explains Colin, currently an honorary tutor at Guys Medical School. “Following the accident, my movement became painful and awkward and I had to drag my left foot sideways. The problem was accentuated during my travels when I was on my feet a lot of the time.” At first, Colin sought help from the usual channels, visiting casualty, a physiotherapist and even an orthoptist who prescribed rigid (and uncomfortable) half-sole inserts. Unfortunately, nothing worked. Then Colin decided to visit Foot Solutions in Richmond. “I’d been aware of the Foot Solutions free foot assessment offer for some time,” adds Colin “then one Sunday morning I called in to the store. I’m so glad I did because that visit changed my life for the better.” Colin was seen by Foot Solutions consultant Asif, who after taking a full case history, performed a series of tests and scans which identified in addition to the injury, a fallen arch which was exacerbating the problem. “Asif was extremely patient and thorough,” continues Colin, “he recommended custom-made arch supports and advised on suitable footwear, but applied no sales pressure.” Colin accepted Asif’s recommendations and followed his detailed instructions on how to use the arch supports. “I can now walk normally with virtually no discomfort,” says a delighted Colin, “Foot Solutions is a very good product and I am happy to endorse it.”
A woman is holding two pairs of shoes in front of a sign that says foot solutions.
March 28, 2025
Food Scientist turned designer jeweller, Heather Paine was finding her mobility and comfort increasingly marred by the effect of arthritis in her ankles and feet. This was exacerbated by a painful condition known as hammer toes, where the toe joints curl downwards, causing friction with footwear. After enduring much discomfort, Heather eventually had an operation in an attempt to reduce the pain. Following the surgery, she was prescribed rigid, three-quarter length standard orthotics, which could only be used in a limited range of very unflattering footwear. “I came across Foot Solutions in Richmond, and decided to call in. I was very patiently and thoroughly taken through a detailed foot assessment process including two scans. Custom arch supports were recommended and I was shown a selection of stylish, comfortable and orthotic-friendly shoes.  After I was fitted with my new orthotics and footwear, the improvement has been dramatic. Life is a lot less painful and I can wear nice shoes, sandals and boots. I recently went to Brazil and spent a lot of time on my feet without any discomfort! I am more than happy to recommend Foot Solutions.”